Yellowhead Mines is moving ahead on redoing its application to the provincial Environment Assessment Office, Mayor John Harwood reported to town council during its Feb. 18 meeting.
The Environmental Assessment Office announced last May that it wanted Yellowhead Mining to go back to the drawing board with its application for the proposed Harper Creek copper-gold-silver mine southwest of Vavenby.
Staff from Yellowhead recently met with Canfor-Vavenby management to go over matters of mutual concern, the mayor added.
The two companies share neighbouring properties, roads and a need to attract personnel, Harwood noted.
Committees cut back by council
Clearwater town council has simplified its committee structure.
During its Feb. 18 meeting, council voted to reduce the number of committees of the whole to three, and to change the meeting schedule so that only one committee meeting is held at a time.
The three committees will be economic development, parks and recreation, and infrastructure.
Previously, there also was a finance and audit committee. However, the councillors felt this portfolio is adequately addressed during the budget process.
The councillors also previously held two committee of the whole meetings at a time. This has been cut back to one.
Meetings of the committees of the whole are typically held at 5 p.m. on the days when town council meets at 7 p.m. (first and third Tuesdays of the month).
Committees of the whole consist of members of town council working under less rigid rules of order to allow freer discussion. The committees then make recommendations to council for final decision.
Second well moving ahead
District of Clearwater’s engineers, Urban Systems, has begun compiling information to be used in a project description for a propose new well, according to a recent report from public works superintendent Jared Brounstein.
The water scoping study has an estimated budget of $20,000.
The third well would provide the community with a safe and reliable water source for 40 years or more.
The current primary well (Well #1), which is located next to the Clearwater River in Reg Small Park, has experienced operational issues for the past five years.
Well #2, which is located across from Dutch Lake Park, has issues with water quantity and quality.
The pipes in the District’s water system are undersized in key areas, which results in limited fire flows.
Construction of a third well and to increase critical pipe sizes is expected to take place during the third quarter of 2016.
