Editor, The Times:
Communities downstream of the proposed Harper Creek Mine need information on the mine's environmental impact. A community advisory board could collaborate with Yellowhead Mines and the Environment Ministry to collect and disseminate that information.
This would provide transparency for the current environmental assessment. Yellowhead Mines is privy to information that is, so far, unavailable to potentially adversely affected residents.
There has been only one public forum to meet with Yellowhead Mining and government. Unfortunately it was held after the time when public comments could be addressed to the federal environmental assessment.
Is this adequate public consultation?
In light of the recent announcement that Yellowhead Mines has increased the known size of the very low-grade deposit, they could show responsibility by facing the public to answer questions that may have arisen since the public forum in May of 2011.
Yellowhead Ecological Association