Williams Lake Chapter
As Canadians we take water for granted. It is everywhere. It is abundant and it is clean. Think again. Communities across Canada are fighting to protect their public water services and supplies from pollution, underfunding, destructive dams and diversions and privatization.
Here in the Cariboo-Chicotin, we have been dealing with two important water issues. First, the integrity and supply of water in the aquifer that supplies most of the water needs of the immediate Williams Lake community and secondly the large proposed Prosperity Mine Project at Fish Lake in the Chilcotin.
Across Canada mining projects are threatening several watersheds.
The Council of Canadians believes that political literacy, thoughtful debate and understanding the issues both national and local are crucial to regaining control of our communities and our country.
Water - Our Most Important Resource
Next meeting: Monday February 13, 10:30, Library Meeting Room
Taseko Takes Second Shot
Taseko is resubmitting the mining proposal for Fish Lake. This time destroying the lake has been written out of the plans. More information here...
Letter To The Editor - Water
Local problems, Provincial problems, world problems. Water problems are universal. Here is a letter to the editor written on behalf of our local chapter Read letter here...
Water Sustainability Act
The proposed new Water Sustainability Act will affect water policy for many years but are there problems with the proposal?
Read the WL Council of Canadians Response
Taseko Mine Proposal to get Second Review
Just when you thought the world was unfolding as it should, it is perhaps unravelling as it might. Today, November 7th, 2011 Taseko was granted an unprecedented second review of its Prosperity Mine proposal.
What about First Nations concerns? What about environmental concerns? At least the process will be a full review with public hearings. Here we go again. For some interesting takes on the ‘new/old’ decision read the following articles. We will update over the next few days.
Here is an very interesting take from the Canada.Com entitled “Kent criticized over second review of huge B.C. mine proposal”
The TNG have responded with a ten point statement that really questions how this review can go ahead. One of the most interesting point is that the ‘new’ alternative which was presented as mine development plan 2 was deemed a inferior alternative than the proposal that was rejected - “The Panel agrees with the observations made by Taseko and Environment Canada that Mine Development Plans 1 and 2 would result in greater long-term environmental risk than the preferred alternative.”
So how can a plan that was deemed inferior in the original report to a plan that was rejected, possibly be accepted? Click on this link for the full TNG report:
Deja vu all over again??
