News and event information for Williams Lake, BC - as it happens.

By Suzanne Whittingham 

Day four of the Federal Review Panel, Prosperity Gold-Copper Mine Project opened today at the Pioneer Complex in Williams Lake. 

There was a drumming prayer by members of the Tsilhqot'in people just outside of the panel room prior to the start of the day's proceedings. 

(Photo:  Meeting room at Pioneer Complex for day four of the Prosperity Project Federal Panel Hearing in Williams Lake.)

Those scheduled to speak today at the hearing were Stephanie Bird, the Williams Lake & District Chamber of Commerce (Susan Redford), Taseko Lake Outfitters (Siegfried Reuter), Xeni Gwet'in Cultureal Tourism Program. Lorne Doerkson, the Pacific Coastal Airlines (Daryl Smith), the Council of Canadians: Williams Lake Chapter (John Dressler), the Tsilqot'in Nation (Crystal Verhaeghe), the Tsilhqot'in National Government (Linda Myers, Loretta Williams), Cecil Grinder, Stuart Kohut, Elli Taylor, Wilderness Committee (Andy Miller), Richard Kohlen, Mike Bird (time permitting). 

Chair Robert Connelly made his opening remarks to the audience, and proceeded with an overview of the proceedings and listed those registered to speak. “Although not registered as such, we will provide opportunity for Taseko at the end of the session to respond to comments voiced over the last few days,” he said. He also said that the film 'Blue Gold' was viewed on Wednesday night and was classified as Exhibit #15. 

In terms of undertakings, he said: “These are all directed to Taseko to provide information with regards to training and youth programs that are available, and the second one to provide information on the distribution of drill holes inside and outside of the pit, and to respond to comments made during the Mayor of Williams Lake presentation with regards to how one could monitor the economic benefits, and the reference for this can be found in the transcripts on page 359, Volume 3. 

“Finally, they’re directed for Taseko to provide information on spills at Gibraltar and any subsequent actions taken by Taseko in their management program for dealing with spills and any problems that occur,” he stated. Mr. Connelly added that they wanted to better understand the programs in place, and were not examining Gibraltar Mine. 

Stephanie Bird was the first speaker on today. She spoke of the negative impact that she felt the project would have on eco-tourism and the fisheries. She felt that not enough consideration was being given to the real impact of the Prosperity Mine. “We are only now understanding the vulnerability of the environment. I would hope that we would seek viable local alternatives to achieving a sustainable economy”, she said. “We have to change our dependence upon non-renewable resources.” She stated that it was a disgrace that the indigenous peoples had to fight so hard against the large corporations. 

The second presenter was the Williams Lake Chamber of Commerce, represented by Susan Redford. Susan said that the Chamber of Commerce represents the Voice of Business for Williams Lake. “We are a group of businesses that provide a unified voice for businesses,” she stated. “We wish to sustain a strong level of economic development for our region.” 

She continued to discuss points that included how the city is planning many projects that include the concepts of sustainability and transitioning from the current economic downturn to new more diversified and sustainable economic models. The Chamber members feel that Prosperity will help to provide an economic buffer to maximize assets as well as helping to transition to the new sustainable economic model. There were three more speakers from the Williams Lake Chamber who were not on the schedule. They spoke as members of the business community in Williams Lake. They were Geoff Bourdon, Jack Butler and Jim Byer. Each of these three were in favour of the Prosperity Mine project and gave their own unique history and perspective of their positions. 

The Williams Lake Chamber of Commerce announced that their Chamber film would be shown at a later date, and they requested permission to show another film called 'Nature's Rebirth', produced, in part, by the B.C. Museum. They wanted to allow a representation of the issue of land reclamation after mining. Rod Bell-Irving, a Taseko representative, spoke about the subject matter of the film that was about reclamation. “The subject matter of reclamation was relevant---it is about five mines in B.C. The Highland Copper Mine demonstrates the ability of tailings ponds and fish to coexist,” he said. “It also speaks for the animals and the plant life who can't speak.” 

Permission was given to show the film, which was then subsequently shown.

The film covered the history of five mines in B.C. and the various reclamation projects that were attached to the aftermath of these mines. The film began with a discussion of the importance of metal to the production of so many products in our society, from planes to cars to pots and pans. It said, “The value of the metal has to be weighed against the cost of extracting it.” 

Each of the mines in the film demonstrated the history of how effects such as acid in the water, cyanide in the water, tailings and remaining mining pits were dealt with in various reclamation projects. 

At the conclusion to the film 'Nature's Rebirth', the hearing continued. Chair Robert Connelly stated that the film simply gave background information on reclamation and was not specifically about the actual Prosperity Project as opposed to the 'Blue Gold' movie that was shown last night. As a result, there would be no questions to the movie. He also said that they would review this movie on the basis of this information. 

The Chair then asked Susan Redford from the Williams Lake Chamber of Commerce for some clarification around a survey that was sent out to Chamber members about the Prosperity project. She stated that the question on the survey asked its members, “Should the Williams Lake Chamber of Commerce take a lead role in the Prosperity Project?” 

Mr. Connelly asked for results of the survey, and then asked Susan, “Have you done research on the economic benefits to the economy?” Susan Redford's reply was that they had mostly relied upon what Taseko had said. “We spoke to businesses and asked that they prepare new business plans based upon these contingencies.” 

The federal review process will continue in outlying communities. 

The proceedings for all presentations to the panel are made available every day in written transcript and audio format on the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency's website at: www.ceaa-acee.gc.ca. Simply follow the links by going to: 'Registry', then 'Review Panel', 'Prosperity' and then 'Hearing Documents'. The direct link to the hearing documents is:  http://www.ceaa-acee.gc.ca/050/05/documents-eng.cfm?evaluation=44811&type=2

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