Teck Announces $2.5 million for Wildlife Overpass to Keep Bighorn Sheep Safe
June 29 2023 - 11:39AM
Teck Resources Limited (TSX: TECK.A and TECK.B, NYSE: TECK)
(“Teck”) today announced a $2.5 million contribution to help build
a new wildlife overpass in the East Kootenay. The B.C. Ministry of
Transportation and Infrastructure overpass project located south of
Radium Hot Springs will reduce vehicle strikes with bighorn sheep,
making that stretch of Highway 93/95 safer for residents and other
highway users while protecting the iconic bighorn sheep herd.
“This project is critical to maintaining wildlife habitat
connectivity, while protecting people and bighorn sheep in the East
Kootenay,” said Jonathan Price, CEO, Teck. “Teck’s $2.5 million
contribution will support bighorn sheep populations across the
region and furthers our goal of becoming Nature Positive by
2030.”
"It's vital that we keep people safe and protect these
magnificent animals," said Minister of Transportation and
Infrastructure Rob Fleming. "With the help of our partners like
Teck, this overpass will support safe passage for the bighorn
sheep, protecting the herd that is so important to the environment
and First Nations and the people of the East Kootenay."
The overpass will cross the highway near Mile Hill, a location
chosen following site inspections by the Ministry of Transportation
and Infrastructure, the Ministry of Forests, the Village of Radium
Hot Springs and Parks Canada. The project includes approximately
six kilometres of wildlife fencing and gates that will guide
animals to the overpass and safely over the highway.
Project partners include Parks Canada, Teck, the Village of
Radium Hot Springs, the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation, the
Ktunaxa Nation Council and the Shuswap Band. Construction on the
project is anticipated to begin in the coming weeks.
Radium Overpass Quick facts:
- Conservation groups say that the Radium herd is one of the last
viable herds of bighorn sheep in the area. Approximately 10% of the
herd is killed annually by collisions with vehicles. The population
dropped from approximately 230 sheep in 2003 to 120 in 2019.
- Reports show there are about 5,400 wildlife-motor vehicle
collisions per year, with many of these recorded collisions
occurring with deer, elk, bear and moose. Deer are involved in
about 85% of wildlife collisions across the province.
- The Ministry has over 600 kilometres of wildlife exclusion
fencing across the province, more than any other transportation
agency in North America. B.C. also has the most wildlife overpasses
in Canada.
Teck and Nature Positive:Teck has set a goal to
become a nature positive company by 2030. Becoming nature
positive means that, by 2030, Teck’s conservation, protection and
restoration of land and biodiversity will exceed the disturbance
caused by its mining activities from a 2020 baseline. In doing so,
Teck will conserve or rehabilitate at least three hectares for
every one hectare affected by its mining activities.
Teck has invested in conserving and protecting approximately
53,000 hectares in southeastern British Columbia, which is equal to
over four and half times the area of the City of Vancouver,
including:
- The purchase of over 7,000 hectares of private lands in the Elk
and Flathead River Valleys, set aside for conservation in
partnership with the Ktunaxa Nation to ensure the protection of the
area’s social, cultural and ecological value.
- The purchase and ongoing management of the nearly 8,000-hectare
Next Creek Watershed in the East Kootenay region through the Nature
Conservancy of Canada.
- The donation of approximately 162 hectares of Teck-owned land
in the Wycliffe Wildlife Corridor near Kimberley, to the Nature
Conservancy of Canada.
- The contribution of $2 million towards the conservation and
protection of 75,000 hectares of globally rare inland temperate
rainforest in the Incomappleux Valley. Teck’s investment
funded 37,500 hectares, or
half, of the total lands protected in
the Incomappleux Valley.
- The contribution of $2 million towards the conservation of Lot
48 on the east side of Columbia Lake, an area that is the
foundation of the Ktunaxa Creation Story, through the Nature
Conservancy of Canada.
- The contribution to the purchase of nearly 67 hectares of
wetlands near the north end of Columbia Lake through the Nature
Trust of BC.
Click here to learn more about Teck’s nature positive
goal.
Media Download: Image
Learn more: Ministry of Transportation and
Infrastructure News Release
About TeckAs one of Canada’s leading mining
companies, Teck is committed to responsible mining and mineral
development with major business units focused on copper, zinc, and
steelmaking coal. Copper, zinc and high-quality steelmaking coal
are required for the transition to a low-carbon world.
Headquartered in Vancouver, Canada, Teck’s shares are listed on the
Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbols TECK.A and TECK.B and the
New York Stock Exchange under the symbol TECK. Learn more about
Teck at www.teck.com or follow @TeckResources.
Teck Media Contact:Chris StannellPublic
Relations Manager604.699.4368chris.stannell@teck.com
Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure Media
ContactMedia RelationsGovernment Communications and Public
EngagementMinistry of Transportation and Infrastructure250
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