The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency’s and B.C.’s Environmental Assessment Office’s public comment period for the proposed Harper Creek mine near Vavenby closed on March 21, and nearly all the comments appeared to be in favour of the project.
The comment period opened Feb. 19.
A final federal public comment period on the environmental assessment report will be advertised later.
Most of the comments posted in the latest round focussed on the positive impacts the mine would have on the area’s economy.
One possible exception was a series of questions posed by the president of Kamloops Fly Fishers, who was concerned about how the mine and its tailings might impact fish.
The angler wanted to know how often and where will fish be caught to compare them with base studies for size, quantity and minerals in them.
Insects also need to be monitored, the fly fishing spokesperson felt.
Water levels in the creeks draining from the mine site should be kept as high as possible to avoid harming fish and their habitat. Relevant information such as weather data, dust, noise and other studies should be made public on a website.
Annual public meetings also should be considered, the fishing club president felt.
