The Williams Lake Tribune reports that, “John Dressler from the Williams Lake Chapter of the Council of Canadians said the organization has ‘grave concerns’ about the proposed mine, including the rejection of the mine plan alternatives; ‘the lack of attention to social issues’ in Taseko’s environmental impact statement; a lack of First Nations consultation; and water. ‘Taseko has admitted there is strong likelihood that uncontaminated waterways will be adversely affected with the consequent danger to human beings and all other life downstream from its source of contamination,’ Dressler said.”
He was presenting to the federal Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency panel that has been holding public hearings in Williams Lake.
Also presenting last Thursday were Cecil Grinder of the Tl’etinqox (Anaham), Crystal Verhaeghe and Sam Zimhelt of the Esdilagh First Nation, and Loretta Williams, mining coordinator for the Tshilqot’in National Government.
The Council of Canadians water campaigner Meera Karunananthan and BC-Yukon organizer Harjap Gewal presented to the federal panel on March 22.
More on the Council of Canadians campaign to defend Teztan Biny from destruction through a Schedule 2 exemption can be read at www.canadians.org/water/issues/TIAs/Teztan.biny.html.
The Williams Lake Tribune article is at http://www.bclocalnews.com/bc_cariboo/williamslaketribune/news/89484652.html.
