AJAX – Report ‘does not effectively capture concerns’ says City staff

A government report on the Ajax mine is disappointing and omits several concerns about the proposal, according to City Hall staff.

Staff will recommend to City council on Tuesday that the B.C. and federal environment ministers be told of deficiencies in a Summary Assessment Report released a few days ago. The report, along with a broader joint report from the provincial and federal environmental agencies, is to be the subject of the final public-input period that will wrap up Oct. 10.

“Staff are disappointed with the Summary Assessment Report and feel that it does not effectively capture several concerns that have been raised by various technical working group members (including, but not limited to, the City) during the course of the Application review,” writes Emily Lomas, the City’s environmental services coordinator.

“The report also reads as if every concern or potential project effect is avoidable or mitigated, does not list concerns regarding the proposed mitigation plans, and mentions very little about the level of confidence in some of the assessments of the project’s effects.”

Lomas also notes that the report refers only to 42 B.C. Environmental Assessment Office recommended conditions, and none from the City.

Staff recommend that council discuss concerns about the report with ministry representatives and submit a formal letter as part of the public comment period. The recommendation going to council states: