Mount Polley Long Term Water Plan
Engagement Summary
British Columbians were invited to comment on Mount Polley Mining Corporation’s (MPMC) plans for long-term water management of the site. The permit application went through an engagement period, as well as a comprehensive technical review by the Cariboo Mine Development Review Committee. The company submitted its formal permit amendment application and supporting technical assessment report as part of its long-term water management plan.
Citizens could provide feedback by email. In addition, residents in the Cariboo were invited to learn more about the plan by attending one of five community open houses – held in Quesnel, Williams Lake, Horsefly, Big Lake and Likely – in October 2016.
MPMC had previously submitted its draft technical assessment report for the long-term water management plan. That report underwent an internal government-to-government review involving the Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Energy and Mines, Williams Lake Indian Band and Soda Creek Indian Band.
| Date | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|
| October 26, 2016 | Quesnel Community Meeting | Quesnel (Royal Canadian Legion) |
| October 27, 2016 | Williams Lake Community Meeting | Williams Lake (Royal Canadian Legion) |
| October 28, 2016 | Horsefly Community Meeting | Horsefly (Horsefly Community Hall) |
| October 29, 2016 | Big Lake Community Meeting | Big Lake (Big Lake Community Hall) |
| October 30, 2016 | Likely Community Meeting | Likely (Likely Community Hall) |
| November 14, 2016 | First Nations Community Meeting | Sugarcane Reserve (WLIB Gymnasium) |
Public feedback will inform the company’s final water management plan, expected to be in place by fall 2017.
Timeframe:
October 26, 2016 – December 23, 2016
Input received:
- Email submissions: 144
Input leads to action:
The long-term water management plan for the Mount Polley mine site was approved on April 7, 2017 by an independent statutory-decision maker from the Ministry of Environment. It is expected to be fully in place by fall 2017 and will replace the short-term water management plan that has been in place since November 30, 2015.
An infographic of how water will be treated and an overview diagram of the mine site are available here.