The following resolution of the Council of the City of Fernie was passed
at the April 14, 2008 Regular Council meeting:

Whereas: The people of Fernie have expressed their overwhelming objection to the granting of tenure to BP Canada for the exploration of Coal Bed Methane and;

Whereas BP Canada has not demonstrated a willingness to work with the community in a transparent manner nor fully engage in meaningful dialogue and has ignored repeated requests from representatives of the City to engage the community more pro-actively and;

Whereas there are considerable unknowns with respect to the short-term and long-term impacts on the environment, the economy and the human community of the Elk Valley and that the Canadian Society for Unconventional Gas has indicated that Coal Bed Gas development has never been conducted in a rugged, mountainous, geologically fractured environment such as the Crowsnest Coalfield and;

Whereas the City of Fernie feels that Coal Bed Gas development is inconsistent with the leadership position of the Province with respect to the environment and climate change and will impact the Fernie area's ability to grow the tourism economy and support the Province's stated objectives of doubling tourism revenue by 2015;

Therefore, be it resolved that the City of Fernie express its opposition to the granting of tenure to BP Canada and the Province of British Columbia be requested to deny tenure to BP Canada for the exploration of Coal Bed Methane in the Crowsnest Coalfield and;

Be it further resolved that: Should the Province disregard the objections of the City of Fernie and its citizens that BP Canada be instructed to consult with the City of Fernie and the citizens of Fernie and interested parties to agree to appropriate terms and conditions for all phases of Coal Bed Gas exploration and development in the Crowsnest Coalfield.

This resolution represents Council’s formal reply to the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources’ request for comments from the City of Fernie on a proposal by BP Canada Energy Company and the Elk Valley Coal Partnership to obtain petroleum and natural gas rights for the exploration of coalbed gas in the Crowsnest Coalfield.

Larry Randle

Director of Corporate Administration Services

City of Fernie