December 9, 2025 EcoCentric

Province waives assessment for Zincton. Wildsight goes to court. – Robyn Duncan.
Another pipeline, really? West Coast Environmental Law’s Eugene Kung unpacks it.  
Dawson Creek’s river dries up, declares water emergency. —Ben Parfitt.

LISTEN OR DOWNLOAD DECEMBER 9, 2025 ECOCENTRIC HERE:

This fall, the BC government announced it was waving an environmental assessment of the controversial Zincton Resort proposal. It’s a 5200 hectare recreation development just east of New Denver. Now Wildsight has announced they are taking that decision to court. Robyn Duncan the executive director of Wildsight talks about the court challenge.

The big Canadian news last week was the pipeline and energy deal Mark Carney struck with Alberta.  Eugene Kung, a staff lawyer with West Coast Environmental Law, looks at some issues raised by the energy deal.

Earlier this year the city of Dawson Creek announced a state of emergency because of a water shortage. The Kiskatenaw River very nearlly ran dry. The politics of water in the gas fracking Peace Country can be complex. One of BC’s great investigative reporters Ben Parfitt has been following water issues in the fracking fields for years. He explains Dawson Creek’s plan to invest something over $100 million to pipeline water from the Peace River.

LINKS MENTIONED:

Wildsight in court challenge of decision to waive environmental assessment fo the Zincton Resort proposal, east of New Denver.
https://wildsight.ca/2025/12/01/wildsight-challenges-zincton-resort-review-process-in-bc-supreme-court/

West Coast Environmental Law response to federal-Alberta big energy bargain
https://www.wcel.org/media-release/wcel-reacts-canada-alberta-energy-mou

Dawson Creek proposes $100 million water pipeine, investigation by Ben Parfitt in TheTyee.ca https://thetyee.ca/News/2025/09/26/Drought-Emergency-Dawson-Creek/

COMING EVENTS

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Repair Cafe Nelson
moved to Saturday, December 20.
10 am to 4 pm 
Christie Lees Hall 807-703 Radio Ave, Nelson, BC
A Repair Café is a community event where people can bring broken or damaged items to be fixed for free with the help of skilled volunteers.We are a volunteer-driven initiative in Nelson, BC, focused on reducing waste, sharing knowledge, and fostering a sense of community through the power of repair.
Repair Cafe Nelson
https://repaircafenelson.ca/

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Monday, December 15th | 3:30 pm to 6:30 pm
5th Annual Santa Bicycle Ride & AGM
Monday, December 15th | AGM 3:30 – RIDE 5:30 pm
Selkirk College, Silver King Campus, Nelson, BC

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  Annual General Meeting | 3:30 pm
  It’s that time of year again when we have to do the boring administration stuff. It’s way more fun together though. Please join us to review this year’s accomplishments, plan for the next one and elect a new president and some new board members!  
• • •
  Santa Bicycle Ride | 5:30 pm
  Dust off your Santa suit or holiday outfit (Santa, reindeer, snowman – be creative) and put Christmas lights on your bike for the 5th Annual Santa Bicycle Ride. Join the bicycle bus to Lakeside Park at any stop on our route. We’re headed to the Holiday Train to see the Barenaked Ladies!
  WestKootenayCycling.ca

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Tuesday, January 1, 2026
11 am Talk on Cold Water Therapy
Noon Nelson Polar Bear Swim
Lakeside Park, Nelson

Take the Plunge for a Great Cause!
The Nelson Polar Bear Swim is a fundraiser for Kootenay Co-op Radio (KCR). Sponsor swimmers at KootenayCoopRadio.com Portion of the proceeds supports Friends of Kootenay Lake Stewardship Society (FOKLSS). https://www.friendsofkootenaylake.ca/
Join hundreds of brave souls ringing in the New Year with a refreshing dip in our beloved Kootenay Lake! Costumes and fun accessories are highly encouraged!
Not ready to jump in? Come cheer on the plungers!
https://www.kootenaycoopradio.com/nelson-polar-bear-swim/