Water

Monday, June 18, 2007

Joint news release with Sierra Legal: (Vancouver) In a case that could have far-reaching consequences, lawyers from Sierra Legal will tell a Federal Court judge tomorrow that development of a large open-pit mine in northern British Columbia should not go ahead until the project has undergone a comprehensive environmental assessment. The Red Chris Mine would turn creek headwaters into a tailings waste dump, destroying fish habitat and risking contamination of the Stikine watershed in northwestern BC.

Thursday, November 9, 2006

Ottawa – NDP Fisheries and Oceans Critic Peter Stoffer (Sackville-Eastern Shore) today called on Fisheries Minister Loyola Hearn to disallow mining companies the use of lakes as dump sites for toxic mining waste.

Monday, October 30, 2006

The Tse Keh Nay (Takla, Tsay Keh Dene, and Kwadacha First Nations) have called on the Prime Minister and Premier of B.C. to involve First Nations more substantively in decisions about mining developments. In a letter to the Prime Minister and Premier, they say they will participate in the joint Federal-Provincial Panel on the proposed Kemess North Mine, in Tse Keh Nay Territory, B.C., but it will be under protest.

Tuesday, October 24, 2006

Ottawa - On October 18, 2006, two lakes in Newfoundland that are habitat to trout, Atlantic salmon, otter, and other species, received a death sentence as the newly amended Metal Mining Effluent Regulations (MMER) went into law.

Wednesday, July 19, 2006

The amended Metal Mining Effluent Regulations (MMERs) have been published in the Canada Gazette Part One, and the public comment period has closed. They will become final when published in the Canada Gazette Part Two.

One of the amendments to the MMERs adds two lakes in Newfoundland to Schedule 2, which redefines them as mine waste dumps (for environmentally toxic tailings). Both lakes currently provide habitat for trout and Atlantic salmon as well as otter and other species.

Friday, July 7, 2006

The Bemidji Statement on Seventh Generation Guardianship was released July 6 during the 14th Protecting Mother Earth Conference, convened by the Indigenous Environmental Network in Bemidji, Minnesota. It combines the ancient wisdom of the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) -- "The first mandate.... is to ensure that our decision- making is guided by consideration of the welfare and well being of the seventh generation to come." -- with the precautionary principle.

The Statement calls for new guardians and new guardian institutions to protect the future of us all.

Wednesday, July 5, 2006

VANCOUVER - Sierra Legal Defence Fund today announced that, on behalf of MiningWatch Canada, it has launched a lawsuit challenging a federal government approval of the Red Chris mine proposed in northern British Columbia.

Sunday, June 4, 2006

Aur Resources plans to destroy two trout and salmon-bearing lakes in central Newfoundland by using them for the disposal of environmentally toxic mine waste. Environment Canada has recommended adding these two ponds to Schedule 2 of the Metal Mining Effluent Regulations (MMER), effectively redefining natural water bodies as mine waste dumps. This document provides facts from the public record that demonstrate why the two ponds should not be added to Schedule 2.

Sunday, May 7, 2006

Comments prepared by Catherine Coumans as representative for the Canadian Environmental Network (CEN) on the Metal Mining Effluent Regulations Multistakeholder Advisory Group, together with Maggie Paquet (Citizens’ Stewardship Coalition, Port Alberni, BC), Judy Parkman (Recycling Organization Against Rubbish, Richmond, BC) and Randy Fleming (Inter-Church Uranium Committee, Saskatoon, SK). “The current regulations and the proposed regulatory amendments do not adequately protect the environment and the health of Canadians.

Thursday, April 27, 2006

A proposal to amend the Metal Mining Effluent Regulations has been posted to the Canada Gazette. The proposal will change two fish-bearing water bodies in Newfoundland — at the headwaters of the Exploits River — into permanent tailings impoundments to service Aur Resources’ Duck Pond Mine. The mine will only last seven years.

Alternatives to using the lakes for tailings disposal were never properly evaluated, and the plan to compensate for the destruction of fish habitat is inadequate.