Plan for Mount Polley cleanup outlines two phases

WILLIAMS LAKE – A two-phase remediation plan for the Mount Polley tailings pond breach will focus on human health and environmental safety through the coming winter, followed by long-term restoration of the land, says B.C. Environment Minister Mary Polak.

She released an update today on work being done since the B.C. Day disaster that saw a massive release of contaminated runoff break through the tailings pond dike at the mine.

Polack said the first phase of a long-term remediation plan for the area impacted by the Mount Polley breach focuses on human health and environmental safety through the winter and spring, to June 2015.

She said the company has already completed or initiated many components of phase one, toward achieving three key outcomes:

• No further unauthorized discharges into Hazeltine Creek;

• The impact zone will be stabilized to manage seasonal events; and

• Water quality entering Quesnel Lake and at the outer edge of the impact zone will meet provincial water quality guidelines.

Phase two of the long-term plan covers July 2015 to August 2016, and focuses on remediating the impacts of the breach. During this period, the ministry will work with the company to implement longer term mitigation strategies ensuring the health of Hazeltine Creek, and Quesnel and Polley Lakes, while continuing to monitor the company’s compliance with the Environmental Management Act and the Pollution Abatement Order, said Polak.

“While full environmental remediation will take years, (the) first phase of the longer term plan sets a clear path towards the recovery process,” said Polak.

“We will continue to work closely with the mine, First Nations and local communities to ensure the necessary mitigation plans are in place to restore the land back to its original state as best we can. The first phase of this plan will stabilize the environment during the spring freshet and ensure cleanup efforts remain on track.”

She said the Mount Polley Mining Corporation is responsible for the entire cost of the breach including the cleanup, remediation and site restoration.