Environmental Assessment takes a big step forward today

Winter hikers/anglers at Bamoos Lake, near proposed mine site, March 2011

The CEAA issued a news release today announcing a harmonized federal-provincial panel review. Entitled "Harmonization Agreement to Establish a Joint Review Panel" the document includes as an appendix the draft "Terms of Reference" for the as yet un-named review panel members. Also made available today are the draft "Environmental Impact Statement Guidelines".

While these documents were being drafted, the Citizens for a Responsible Mine, the Ojibways of the Pic River First Nation and the Lake Superior Binational Forum submitted to the CEAA suggestions for key elements for inclusion.

With the benefit of participant funding from the CEAA, the Citizens for a Responsible Mine has hired an expert consultant to meet with our membership and to review and comment on these documents.

The period for public comment on the draft panel "Terms of Reference" and "Environmental Impact Statement Guidelines" ends on May 9, 2011.

All of the above-mentioned documents, including letters to the CEAA from stakeholder groups, are available through the above link or here:

http://www.ceaa-acee.gc.ca/050/05/documents-eng.cfm?evaluation=54755