NELSON— Save Our Rivers spokesperson and former Socred Environment Minister Rafe Mair will be in Nelson on July 15 for a meeting sponsored by New Democrat MLA Michelle Mungall on the controversial Glacier-Howser private power project located north of Kaslo.

“The protection of rivers and creeks brings people from all walks of life together,” said Mungall. “The Campbell government should take notice and start listening to them. People of British Columbia will not stand idly by while Gordon Campbell parcels out our wilderness and our waterways to private interests.”Michelle Mungall

Mungall says the fact that Rafe Mair is joining with New Democrats in the fight to protect the province’s rivers and creeks shows that the B.C. Liberal government’s sell off of watersheds and wilderness areas is an issue that cuts across party lines.

“This battle cuts right to the heart of what it means to be a British Columbian,” said Mungall. “If Gordon Campbell doesn’t start listening to the people of this province he is going to have a real fight on his hands.”

The proponent, AXOR, the Environmental Assessment Office and the environment minister all refused to hold a meeting in Nelson, even though diverse stakeholders asked for a meeting to be held in the central Kootenay community. After hearing from local government officials, tourism operators, recreational hunters and fishermen Mungall decided to hold a public forum to address their concerns. More than 1000 people showed up in the tiny community of Kaslo to speak out against the project.

“I'm looking forward to joining with Rafe Mair, Joe Foy of the Western Canadian Wilderness Committee, and the people of this region at an informative meeting next Wednesday,” said Mungall. “This is our chance to send a strong message to the Campbell government. We will not be ignored.”

Carole James and the New Democrats are calling for a moratorium on new private power projects until the province has a plan in place that protects the environment, and puts the public good above private profit.

The meeting will be held in Nelson at 7 p.m. on July 15 at the Prestige Lakeside Inn.