OTTAWA, January 23, 2012 – The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency (the Agency) today announced the start of a public comment period on two documents related to the environmental assessment of the New Prosperity Gold-Copper Mine project in British Columbia.
The Agency invites the public to comment on the draft environmental impact statement (EIS) guidelines and the draft terms of reference for the review panel. The guidelines provide direction to the proponent and identify the information that is required in the environmental impact statement. The terms of reference establish the mandate and authorities of the review panel, as well as the procedures and timelines for the review.
The public is invited to submit written comments on both documents to the Agency in either official language by February 22, 2012. After taking public comments into consideration, the guidelines and the terms of reference will be finalized and made public.
The draft EIS guidelines, the draft terms of reference as well as additional information on the project are available in the Canadian Environmental Assessment Registry on the Agency’s Web site at www.ceaa-acee.gc.ca under reference # 11-05-63928.
To submit comments, obtain a copy of the documents or to register as an interested party and be kept informed of the panel review process activities, contact:
Livain Michaud, Panel Manager
Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
160 Elgin Street, 22nd Floor
Ottawa ON K1A 0H3
Tel.: 613-948-1359 / 1-866-582-1884
Fax: 613-957-0941
NewProsperityReview@ceaa-acee.gc.ca
Participant Funding
The Agency has awarded a total of $91,000 to seven applicants to support their participation in the environmental review of the project. The funding recipients are Federico G. Osorio, the Friends of Nemaiah Valley, MiningWatch Canada, the Share the Cariboo – Chilcotin Resources Society, the Williams Lake and District Chamber of Commerce, the Sierra Club British Columbia, and the Environmental Mining Education Foundation.
The funding is provided to help recipients prepare for and participate in the upcoming steps of the review process, including reviewing and commenting on the draft EIS guidelines and panel terms of reference, the EIS and participating in public hearings.
A committee independent of the review process assessed the applications and made recommendations on funding awards. The committee’s report is available on the public registry noted above.
Taseko Mines Ltd. proposes the construction and operation of a large open pit gold-copper mine development, approximately 125 km southwest of Williams Lake, B.C.
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.
- 30 -
Media may contact:
Lucille Jamault
Manager, Communications
Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
Tel.: 613-957-0434
