The Federal Review Panel for the proposed New 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 EIS, submitted to the panel on Sept. 26 provides an analysis of the potential environmental effects of the proposed project.
The 45-day comment period gives aboriginal groups, the public, governments and other participants an opportunity to submit their views in writing to the panel on the sufficiency of the information presented in the EIS and on its technical merit.
The EIS guidelines, issued on March 16 provide direction to the proponent and identify the information that is required in the EIS.
The purpose of the comment period is to obtain the public's views on the adequacy of the information provided in the EIS as measured against the EIS guidelines. Opportunities to present overall views on the project will be provided at the subsequent public hearing.
The panel will determine if the EIS is sufficient to proceed to public hearing based on its own review and on its review of the comments received from the public. Should the Panel determine the EIS is insufficient, it will request the proponent to address the gaps identified.
The panel must receive all comments on the EIS in writing by Nov. 11, 2012. All comments will be considered public and posted on the online registry for this project.
Forward your written comments in either official language by mail or e-mail to the attention of: Livain Michaud, panel manager, Federal Review Panel — New Prosperity Project, 160 Elgin St., Ottawa, ON K1A 0H3, 613-948-1359/1-866-582-1884, newprosperityreview@ceaa-acee.gc.ca.
The EIS and the EIS guidelines, along with more information on this project, are available on the Canadian Environmental Assessment Registry at www.ceaa-acee.gc.ca, registry number 63928. Paper copies of the EIS have been made available by the proponent in locations near the project area.