Mt Polley Williams Lake Community Mtg

Photo Credit: Monica Lamb-Yorski, Williams Lake Tribune
Gibraltar Room - Cariboo Memorial Recreation Complex

Before a packed Gibraltar Room of supporters for Mt Polley to re-start operations with some First Nations present to present their opposing views - Reps from Imperials Metals presented their restricted operations scenario to the public which you can review for yourself here.  In addition representatives from the Ministry of Environment & Energy/Mines were also present to give their perspective on the process to approve permits to allow Mt Polley to re-start on a short/long term basis

Elected Officials being present included all members of Williams Lake City Council except Councillor Sue Zacharias and CRD Directors Steve Forseth (Area D); Byron Kemp (Area E) and Joan Sorley (Area F)

After the formal presentation by Imperial Metals/Ministry of Environment/Energy and Mines, a question/answer period ensued with CRD Area 'F' Director Joan Sorley moderating

Questions coming forward included:

* First Nations never ceded land that Mt Polley sits on
* Accidents' happen, but we learn from them and move on and get better
* Insurance to cover damages to environment/businesses?
* General commentary to re-start the mine ASAP by many including WL City Councillor Scott Nelson

* When will CRD Directors Forseth, Kemp and Sorley indicate their support for the mine re-start? Director Sorley clarified that the Cariboo Regional District Board of Directors', when it has all the information, will consider a letter of support in the near future

* Timing of dam inspections?

Tomorrow evening - Imperials Metals will make the same presentation to local First Nations at Sugarcane (WL Indian Band)

Comments on the proposed Mt Polley Mine Permit are due Saturday, May 2nd and may be provided by email at:

BC Government -- MtPolleyMinePermit@gov.bc.ca 
Imperial Metals -- inquiries@imperialmetals.com