The decision to review a revised Prosperity Mine project is a first for the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency (CEAA).
Although the agency has never received a revised project, CEAA communications manager Annie Roy says the New Prosperity proposal is considered a new project because it is “another option.”
However, Tsilqot’in National Government (TNG) tribal chair Chief Joe Alphonse has taken no pleasure in any distinction.
Alphonse calls the CEAA’s decision to proceed with a panel review – as it did with the previous proposal – “mind-boggling.”
Noting it was within Taseko’s rights to reapply, he says Ottawa’s acceptance of the proposal for review is not something a “credible government” would do.
While he doesn’t believe there shouldn’t be a panel review, Alphonse says First Nations will participate in the process.
“As distasteful as that is for us, that’s one of the only options we are subject to.
“I think there’s a lot of frustration within our communities right now. We have to continue to do what’s best for our nation and that is to protect our interests.”
Regarding the federal government’s decision, Taseko president and CEO Russell Hallbauer says his company needs to develop a better understanding of the specifics of the panel review.
“The timeline [one year] evidences a significant commitment by CEAA to work effectively with us in this process.
“It is our sincere desire that New Prosperity moves through the panel review process in this time frame and that the benefits of the project begin to be realized by the country, the province, the local communities and Aboriginals in the coming years.”
In an interview conducted earlier this month, a Taseko representative indicated there was an expectation the CEAA would proceed with a comprehensive study.
Meanwhile, Roy says a review panel was chosen by the federal environment minister on the basis that the project could create “significant environmental effects.”
The timeline for the review is 12 months. The release issued by the CEAA indicated the review would utilize information obtained during the previous environmental assessment “to the extent possible to ensure a timely decision.”
Roy says the federal and provincial assessment processes will occur separately.
British Columbia’s Environment Minister Terry Lake says Taseko is applying for an amendment to its current environment certificate that was issued by the B.C. Environmental Assessment (BCEA) office last year.
Although the provincial and federal assessment processes are separate, Lake says he wanted to ensure some co-ordination.
He adds it would be helpful if the two processes finish their work at the same time. Under the provincial environmental assessment model, Lake notes it is common for projects that submitted changes after receiving an environmental certificate to proceed with an amendment.
“They have an [environmental assessment], so as far as the provincial decision making was concerned, they had that process. Now, they have to apply for an amendment to it to reflect the differences between the certificate that was issued and the proposed plan.”
Lake says a decision regarding the provincial environmental assessment will be made by himself or the executive director of the BCEA office.
To date, the First Nations Summit, the Sierra Club, Council of Canadians and the Wilderness Committee have come out in opposition of the review.
Robyn Chambers is a Williams Lake Tribune writer.
