PARTICIPANT FUNDING PROGRAM REVIEW COMMITTEE’S REPORT -
ALLOCATION OF FUNDS FOR THE GALORE CREEK COPPER-GOLD-SILVER MINE PROJECT
The Participant Funding Program (PFP) is designed to promote public participation in the evaluation and review process of projects which are subject to an environmental assessment (EA). The PFP was set up pursuant to the legislative provision contained in subsection 58(1.1) of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (the Act), which states:
For the purposes of this Act, the Minister shall establish a participant funding program to facilitate the participation of the public in comprehensive studies, mediations and assessments by review panels.
A Funding Review Committee (FRC), independent from all regulatory authorities, has examined the funding application received from the Iskut Band Council. The Committee members were: Mr. John Mathers and Mr. Jason Quigley, Director, Pacific and Yukon Region, Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency (the Agency).
This report provides the applicant, as well as the public, with the rationale behind the Committee's recommended allocation of federal funds. The Committee reviewed the application received from the Iskut Band Council, requesting a total of $50,000.
Background
On December 1, 2005, the Agency announced that the Canadian government would allocate up to $50,000 to help individuals and organizations to take part in the EA of the project.
The Galore Creek Gold-Silver-Copper project is proposed to be built in and around the Galore Creek Valley, which is located in remote mountainous terrain in north-western British Columbia, approximately 260 km northwest of Stewart, BC. The property is within the Stikine River drainage, which empties into the Pacific Ocean near Wrangell, Alaska. The project includes several main components: access road construction (including bridges and tunnel); slurry concentrate pipeline; 138 kV electrical transmission line; mine pre-stripping; waste rock dump preparation; water diversions; tailings dams for the tailing impoundment areas; concentrate processing plant; and supporting facilities and infrastructure. Airstrips would be established at the Porcupine River and the headwaters of More Creek and camps constructed at each to support additional construction headings.
Under section 5 of the Act, an EA is required for this project because Transport Canada may issue an approval under paragraph 5(1)(a) of the Navigable Waters Protection Act; Fisheries and Oceans Canada may issue an approval under Section 35 of the Fisheries Act, and because Natural Resources Canada may issue a permit or license under paragraph 7(1)(a) of the Explosives Act. This project is also being assessed by the Government of British Columbia.
Rationale
To allocate the available funds in a fair, consistent and transparent manner, the FRC agreed to the following:
- applicants must demonstrate an interest in the project's environmental effects;
- applicants must show that a representation of their interest will contribute to the investigation of potential environmental effects of the proposed project; and
- the available funds must be allocated to ensure, to the extent possible, that those concerned with the environmental effects of the project are fairly represented.
Recommendations
The FRC recommended an allocation of funds totalling $30,000 to the Iskut Band Council to participate in the EA of the proposed copper-gold-silver open-pit mine.
The FRC based its recommendations on the following:
- The application was evaluated by applying sequentially, the following considerations:
- eligibility of the applicant to receive funding; and
- the contribution that the applicant makes to the review of the Environmental Impact Statement and/or completed Comprehensive Study Report.
- Funding was provided for eligible incremental costs incurred by the applicant to allow for effective participation.
For the most part, the proposed activities of the Iskut Band Council are relevant to its participation in the EA of the proposed copper-gold-silver open-pit mine. Consideration of professional fees was based upon the need for expert advice. Travel expenses were fully funded. The FRC recommends funding for local collection and distribution of information but at a reduced amount. Given that salaries are deemed as a low priority according to program criteria, FRC could not recommend funding of staff salaries based on the information provided by the applicant.
General Comments
The FRC made this decision based on the information provided in the application.
The FRC encourages all parties involved to express their comments with regard to funding recommendations or the content of this report. To share your comments or to obtain any additional information, please contact:
Peter Bedrossian
Manager, Participant Funding Program
Canadian Environment Assessment Agency
160 Elgin Street, 22nd Floor
Place Bell Canada
Ottawa ON K1A 0H3
Telephone: 613-957-0826
Dated: February 24, 2006
Funding Review Committee
______________________________
Mr. John Mathers
______________________________
Mr. Jason Quigley
Director
Pacific and Yukon Region
Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
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