The Elk River in the area near Fernie, British Columbia, is a fishing stream prized by fly fishers . The Missoulian reports a new coal mine proposal and three exploration projects are also under way.

Dr. Hauer said the Elk River data is "pretty alarming," because it points to a chronic pollution problem caused directly by coal mines. "What we found was … selenium levels routinely 10-time ...

A U.S. study has linked coal mining in the Elk River in southeast British Columbia to high levels of selenium, and that has prompted the B.C. government to order the mining company to clean up ...