KAMLOOPS — Here’s what the letter from Kamloops City council on Ajax SHOULD say:
July 17, 2017
Tracy James, Project Assessment Manager, BC Environmental Assessment Office
Kevin Inouye, Project Manager, Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
Hon. Jordan Sturdy, BC Minister of Environment
Hon. Catherin McKenna, Canadian Minister of Environment and Climate Change
RE: Proposed Ajax Mine Project – City of Kamloops Council Decision
City Council wishes to express their unequivocal opposition to the proposed KGHM Ajax Mine project (the Project). In considering their decision, Council has taken into account the results of SLR Consulting (Canada) Ltd.’s (SLR’s) technical review of the Application and supporting documents, the Pipsell Report and SSN Panel Recommendations Report of Stk’emlúpsemc te Secwépemc Nation (SSN), the dozens of concerned citizens’ groups opposing the mine, as well as feedback from Kamloops residents and businesses. Our position is absolute and unconditional.
There are no conditions, compensation agreements, monitoring or management programs that could make this project acceptable. Risks with respect to air quality, water quality, terrestrial environment, aquatic environment, acoustics and vibration, dark sky, socio-economics, accidents and malfunctions, and transportation are too high to even consider such a project in such close proximity to a major population centre and the surrounding rural region.
It’s our view that the many negatives associated with this project will significantly outweigh the limited benefits, including associated jobs. There are simply no assessments, remedies or mitigations that can satisfy the many health, environmental and other concerns associated with the Ajax project.
It’s our duty to protect the best interests of our citizens of today, as well as future generations. Thank you for your consideration of Council’s resolute opposition to the proposed Ajax Mine.
Yours truly,
City Council of Kamloops
Cc: Cathy McLeod, MP Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo
