OTTAWA - March 26, 2009 - The federal Panel reviewing the proposed Prosperity Gold-Copper Mine Project is inviting the public to comment on the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) filed by the proponent, Taseko Mines Limited.
The project is subject to review under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act and British Columbia’s Environmental Assessment Act. The Panel and the BC Environmental Assessment Office (EAO) are collaborating on their respective federal and provincial assessment processes and are holding a coordinated public comment period on the report submitted by the Proponent. The report is known as the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Panel and the Application for an Environmental Assessment Certificate for provincial purposes.
For the purposes of the Panel review, this 60-day comment period gives Aboriginal groups, the public, governments and other interested parties an opportunity to submit their views in writing to the Panel on the adequacy of the information presented in the EIS as measured against the EIS Guidelines and on the technical merit of the information presented. Opportunities to present overall views on the project will be provided at future public hearings.
After reviewing the comments received and the proponent’s response to those comments, the Panel will determine whether the EIS is sufficient or if the proponent must provide any additional information before the Panel schedules public hearings.
The Panel must receive all comments on the EIS in writing by May 25, 2009, in order to be considered. All comments will be shared between the Panel and the EAO and made public via the federal online registry and the EAO website. Forward your written comments in the official language of your choice by mail, e-mail or fax to the attention of:
Colette Spagnuolo
Panel Manager
Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
160 Elgin Street, Ottawa ON K1A 0H3
Tel.: 613-957-0541 / 1-866-582-1884
Fax: 613-957-0941
prosperity.review@ceaa-acee.gc.ca
Garry Alexander
Project Assessment Director
BC Environmental Assessment Office
P.O. Box 9426 Stn Prov Govt
Victoria, BC V8W 9V1
Fax: 250-356-6448
eaoinfo@gov.bc.ca
The EIS, along with more information on this project, is available on the Canadian Environmental Assessment Registry, registry number 09-05-44811 and at www.eao.gov.bc.ca .
To obtain information on the Panel review process and be kept informed of the progress of the review, provide a full mailing or e-mail address to the panel manager.
The proponent, Taseko Mines Limited is proposing to develop an open pit gold-copper mine located 125 km SW of Williams Lake, B.C. The proposed project also includes tailings and waste rock areas, an onsite mill, an approximately 125 km long power transmission line corridor and an access road.
The Panel is an independent body, appointed by the federal Minister of the Environment to assess the environmental effects of the proposed project. The Panel was appointed in January 2009 and its Terms of Reference provide details as to how the review is to be conducted and the specified timeframe.
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Lucille Jamault
Senior Communications Advisor
Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
Tel.: 613-957-0434
