Date: April 8, 2008
Location: BP Fernie Office

BP attendees: Christopher Revington, Vice Pres., Coalbed Gas, Mist Mountain Coalbed Gas Project Lane Wells, Information Exchange Lead, Coalbed Gas, Mist Mountain Coalbed Gas Project

FMBC attendees: FMBC Directors Kurt Adams, Fred Gietz, Bernie Pulsifer

We introduced ourselves to Chris and Lane and then discussed the Mist Mountain CBM project. and how it would effect mountain biking, within the project area.. Chris stated the following points about the project:

1) The project area covers approx. 500 square kilometers on the east side of the Elk River between Fernie and Sparwood.
2) BP is willing to consult with user groups such as ours and welcomes visits to the Fernie office to discuss any concerns.
3) The project area can be roughly divided into thirds. 1/3 of the area is private land owned by Elk Valley Coal. BP has entered a commercial agreement with EVC to evaluate CBG on EVC owned land. BP does not have to apply for tenure within this area. Another 1/3 of the area is contained within the Dominion Coal Blocks. This land is owned by the federal government, thus not included in the application to the BC government for tenure rights. The remaining 1/3 lies on provincial crown land.
4) If tenure is granted BP will initiate an environmental study of the project area. During this three to five year process approx. 25 test wells will be drilled. No drilling will be done until 2009.
5) Drill pads will be approx 100m by 100m.Multi directional drilling would be used to reduce the number of drill sites required.
6) If the project goes to commercial production the gas will be shipped via the existing Trans Canada Pipeline. Three compressor stations would be required. Pipelines connecting wells to the Trans Canada Pipeline would be underground.

Concerns raised by FMBC

1) As director’s of FMBC our mandate is to support our mission statement which is “To ensure the long term development and maintenance of a valuable community asset to be enjoyed by all styles and levels of riders”
2) We feel that if tenure is granted some of our trails will be affected. If the decision is to go ahead with commercial production this affect will be even greater.
3) BP is at the very early stage in this project. We have no idea as to the ultimate affect on our trails. How many well sites in total ? Where will all the access roads be ? Will all pipelines be below surface? How will air and water quality be affected?

Summary

The proposed area of interest by BP would have very little effect on the current bike trails of the FMBC. However, it was recognized that the developments that are taking place in Fernie may eventually push future trails into the proposed CBM sites. As the primary mandate of the FMBC is the maintenance and development of quality trail riding in the Fernie area, the FMBC should be concerned with the potential effect of CBM on the mountain biking community.

Recommendations

- Encourage all bike members to individually express their concerns of CBM development in the Mist Mountain Project

- As a Mountain Bike Club representing the biking fraternity, the FMBC should express the concern that CBM development may harm the mountain biking opportunities in the Fernie area.