Even the BC government seems concerned.....looks like we'll get an answer on the EA status at Schaft Creek within 30 days as the application will be cancelled within that timeframe. Shit or get off the pot time folks!!!
a100.gov.bc.ca
Reference: 295986
February 26, 2016
SENT VIA EMAIL AND REGULAR MAIL
Warren Yau
Project Director
Teck Resources Ltd.
3300 - 550 Burrard St
Vancouver BC V6C 0B3
warren.yau@teck.com
Dear Mr. Yau:
I am writing to request an update on Teck Resources Ltd.’s plan with respect to the environmental assessment (EA) of Schaft Creek Mine Project (Project), so that the Environmental Assessment Office (EAO) can determine the appropriate next steps for this EA.
In EAO’s experience, long delays between the time EA information requirements are established, and the time information is actually gathered and an EA proceeds, can result in a lower quality EA. Such delays also greatly increase the risk that a proponent may incur additional expense due to the need to redo out-of-date work, or collect additional information not initially required.
The application information requirements (AIR) for the Project were approved on February 14, 2011, however to date EAO has not received an application from you. Section 24(3) of the Act allows for the Executive Director or the Minister to terminate an EA if, after being requested to provide information in an application or at any other time in the EA, the proponent does not provide the information within the prescribed period. A deadline of three years for response to information is set out under the Act in the Prescribed Time Limits Regulation.
Given the significant period of inactivity, EAO is seeking to understand Teck Resources Ltd.’s plans with respect to the Project and the EA. It is our intention to terminate the current EA of the Project within 30 days of the date of this letter, unless we receive information from you that demonstrates you plan to advance the EA in the near term. I wish to emphasize that any actions taken have nothing to do with the merits or potential environmental effects associated with the Project but are part of EAO’s administrative efforts to ensure effective EAs.
Please contact me immediately, at 250 387-1447 or Shelley.Murphy@gov.bc.ca to advise of your plans on this EA. Depending on your response, EAO may choose not to terminate the EA, however given the time that has elapsed EAO may require the AIR requirements to be updated prior to proceeding with the assessment process.
Be advised that, in the event the current EA is terminated and you decide to pursue the Project at some future date, you will be required to submit a new Project Description and associated fees. If that is the case, EAO will work with you to determine what work, already completed under the terminated EA, is still relevant and could be carried over to the new EA.
Please contact me at the above phone and email address if you have questions. Thank you for your attention to this important matter and I look forward to hearing
Yours truly,
Shelley Murphy
Executive Project Director |
