In their initial application and in order to satisfy the requirements
outlined in the 2009 Environmental Impact Statement Guidelines, Taseko
was required to include an analysis of alternative means of developing
"Prosperity" mine that were technically and economically feasible. On
page 78 of an "Alternatives Assessment" paper, dated April, 2010, they
state:
"In summary, given the location of the deposit, it is
apparent........that even if the Waste Rock/Low Grade Ore storage area
were located other than in Fish Lake, it is not possible to preserve
Fish Lake as a viable and functioning ecosystem while at the same time
maximizing the full potential of the defined resource. From a mine
planning perspective, in order to meet the objective of maximizing the
full potential of the mineral resource at Prosperity, mine planners and
decisions makers need to contemplate and prepare for the development of a
pit that infringes on Fish Lake."
This morning,
February 25, 2011, the Tsilhqot'in National
Government (TNG) lawyers submitted a letter to 6 federal ministers
calling for Taseko's revised application to be rejected. An excerpt of
that letter reads as follows:
"TNG calls on the Government of Canada to stand by its original decision
– the responsible decision – and categorically reject Taseko’s efforts
to resurrect this fundamentally flawed project.
"Taseko argued to the very last day of hearings before the Panel that
there was simply no way to preserve Fish Lake, despite its “sincere
effort” to save the Lake. In its final submissions, Taseko stated:
" 'After completing three separate alternative assessments, directed and
reviewed by government, the public and First Nations, and reflective of
a sincere effort by Taseko to avoid the loss of Fish Lake, Taseko
concluded each time that there was only one technically, environmentally
and economically feasible option. This option results in the
unavoidable loss of Fish Lake. We wish it were otherwise.'
"Taseko’s assertion that it has only now – after rejection of its
original proposal – developed a viable alternative that preserves Fish
Lake defies credulity. This is particularly the case given Taseko’s
assurances that its original proposal presented the “lowest
environmental risk” and was the “most environmentally responsible” of
the alternatives.
"In our view, Taseko attempted to push through a project that would
maximize its own profits, despite devastating impacts for the
environment and the Tsilhqot’in people. It failed. With respect, your
departments can and should reject this after-the-fact effort to revive
an alternative that purports to preserve Fish Lake, an outcome that
Taseko consistently described to the public, the Panel, the government
and affected First Nations as impossible."
The entire letter can be read
HERE.
2. Earlier this week, FONV sent out the following News Release:
No Second Chance
With the announcement by Taseko Mines that they have submitted a revised
plan for their Prosperity Project that will avoid the destruction of
Teztan Biny (Fish Lake) we face the prospect of a whole new round of
costly CEAA Hearings and endless debate as to the merits or otherwise of
the proposal.
The announcement that Taseko had met the objections of the original environmental assessment,
one of the most damning ever produced by a federal environmental review panel, is disingenuous at best.
The loss of Fish Lake is only one part of the equation when considering
the impact of this mine. The destruction of grizzly bear habitat – the
Chilcotin grizzly bear is blue listed – cannot be mitigated with a
project on the scale of Prosperity Mine.
The impact of very heavy traffic loading on local roads and bridges, up-graded and maintained at public expense, will remain.
Most importantly, First Nations, on whose unceded lands the project
would take place, have once again been slighted and insulted by not
being consulted. They will not be bought off with cash bribes and allow
this sacred place to be destroyed. That this land is subject to a rights
and title claim that is before the B.C. Court of Appeal is known to
Taseko. Why do they choose to ignore this fact?
The insertion of a village of 600 and more transient miners into a
small, remote community of 350 people will inevitably devastate a way of
life and a culture that is still recovering from the Colonial era.
Taseko should show respect and give up on this ill-conceived project. It
is past time to put in place permanent, legislated protection under
First Nations auspices that will see an end to this kind of assault on
one of the most magnificent wilderness areas in North America.
3. Other coverage: In
Prosperity Mine - Take 2?
Andrew Gage of West Coast Environmental Law has done an excellent job
of analyzing many of the legal and practical questions this new
submission raises: questions which need to be asked – and answered!
Questions such as: “How can Taseko have failed to propose a design that
would have prevented the destruction of Fish Lake during the months of
deliberations by the environmental assessment panel? Can the company
just re-open an already completed environmental assessment process at
this late date with a new design that it never raised previously? Is
Taseko now adopting technology which only months ago it dismissed as not
“proven at the appropriate scale?”
In a
February 24, 2011,
News Release , the TNG continue to voice their unequivocal opposition to this newest proposal: “Taseko Mines Limited is
playing costly and dangerous games with First Nations and all British Columbians in its cynical attempt to revive its so-called Prosperity mine, the Tsilhqot’in National Government said today.
“This latest move would be laughable, were the issue not so serious,”
said TNG Tribal Chair Chief Joe Alphonse. “Enough is enough. It is
time to put an end to this company wasting everybody’s time and resources on a project that most now realize is a dead issue.”
This and other news releases and reactions can be read on the
FONV website.
Prime Minister Harper has been quoted as saying the initial defeat of Taseko's project was turned down due to
"a myriad" of environmental problems and indicated the company would have difficulty in getting that decision overturned.
(Vancouver Sun).
4. Books: On behalf of FONV, President David Williams presented
"Amazing British Columbia: A Natural History from A to Z" by Audrey
Owen, to all of the K-5 students at the Natanqed School. The Xeni
Gwet'in were chosen to represent the letter X.
David with young readers Nellie and Xeni Lulua and their mother, Sharon Baptiste:
5. Climate Change meeting: On Thursday, February 17th, John Lerner
presented the results of several years of Climate Change research and
planning in the Nemiah Valley for the Xeni Gwet'in First Nation
community.
We were made aware of the very significant retreat of local glaciers
and the implications for the people of the valley and the ecosytems
upon which all life is based. It was gratifying to hear that the people
of Xeni and the Nemiah Valley are in fact ahead of any other
jurisdiction in North America in preparation for dealing with and
surviving the impacts of global climate change which is happening much
faster than anyone could have predicted just ten years ago. Once again
this small community is proving to be a leader, not only among First
Nations communities, but in Canada.
6. Fundraiser: Show your solidarity with the people of Xeni by
attending the Wild Horse Benefit Concert on Saturday, March 5, at the
Solstice Café in Victoria. Tickets are available now at the Solstice
and are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. Proceeds go to fund
Canada's only Wild Horse Ranger Program to help protect the wild horses
of the Brittany Triangle.
If you cannot attend the concert but would like to help support FONV, you may make a donation through PayPal on the
www.fonv.ca website or cheques may be mailed to:
FONV
1010 Foul Bay Road
Victoria, B.C.
V8S 4J1
Cheers,
Pat Swift
info@fonv.ca
www.fonv.ca
