Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency has allocated just over $20,000 to MiningWatch Canada and Upper Clearwater resident Trevor Goward to support their participation in the federal environmental assessment of the proposed Harper Creek Mine Project near Clearwater.
Of this, MiningWatch Canada is getting $16,540.00 while Goward is to receive $ 3,570.85.
Métis Nation is to receive $14,550; Simpcw First Nation is getting $70,525; and Adams Lake Indian Band has been allocated $41,250 from the Aboriginal funding envelope of the program.
The three applicants under the Aboriginal funding envelope are to get a total of $126,325.
Goward said he plans to use his share of the money to hire a consultant to review the environmental documents prepared by the mine proponents.
“My idea is to ensure that Wells Gray’s chances for designation as a World Heritage Site are in no way jeopardized - e.g. by constant dust contamination from a mine built at an elevation and topographic position subject to strong mountain winds,” he said.
“Closer to home, I want to be convinced that the mine won’t subject neighboring communities to particulates of unknown long-term health effects.”
Goward added that he in no way opposes the mine, feeling it would be pointless. However, he does feel the proponents are obligated to demonstrate a long-term commitment to ensure continued quality of life for the community.
The funding is allocated through the Participant Funding Program administered by the agency and is intended to support public participation in upcoming steps of the comprehensive study process, including the review of the Environmental Impact Statement and the Comprehensive Study Report.
A funding review committee, independent of the environmental assessment process, was established to assess the funding requests. The committee’s report, along with further information on the project, is available on the agency’s website at www.ceaa-acee.gc.ca, in the Canadian Environmental Assessment Registry, under reference number 11-03-61898.
Yellowhead Mining Incorporated is proposing to build a copper-gold-silver mine about 20 km southeast of Clearwater near Vavenby. The mine would produce about 70,000 tonnes of ore per day over an 18 to 24-year life span.
The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency administers the federal environmental assessment process, which identifies the environmental effects of proposed projects and measures to address those effects, in support of sustainable development.