Cheslatta Carrier Nation
P.O. Box 909
Burns Lake, B.C. V0J 1E0
Phone: 604-694-3334
Fax: 604-694-3632
HUCKLEBERRY IN THE NEWS
Transcript of 5 p.m. newscast: BVLD (SMITHERS): 19 Oct. 1995
Newsreader / Reporter Lillian Au:
"An environmental group says back-room deals are taking place
in the rush to get a controversial mining project in northwest B.C.
off the ground.
Lloyd Manchester of the Canadian Earthcare Society says an
environmental assessment of the proposed Huckleberry copper mine
project near Houston is seriously flawed. He's concerned
environmental reviewers will recommend the project to go forward at
the end of the month based on what he calls incomplete data on Acid
Rock Drainage.
Manchester says the back-room deals are taking place because
the public and the media are banned from sitting in on the review
meetings. He adds reviewers are being gagged under a new
communication protocol, which he says regulates what can and can't
be released to the media."
Lloyd Manchester / Canadian Earthcare Society:
"This type of activity within that project committee for the
Huckleberry Mine is basically against the intent of the Act, which
was open, transparent and accountable process. And this process
does not appear to be accountable."
Newsreader / Reporter Lillian Au:
"The project is among the first of 35 mining projects to be
reviewed under B.C.'s new Environmental Assessment Act, which came
into effect last June. Manchester was one of four provincial
negotiators, who drafted the Act.
The proposed Huckleberry copper project is currently under
review for a Mine Development Certificate.
A spokesperson for the Environmental Assessment Office insists
the environmental review of the Huckleberry project has been open
and accountable. Jim Durham says there are no back-room deals and
minutes of the meetings are available to the public once they're
edited. He says the meetings are closed to the public to ensure
frank and open discussion."
Transcribed by Dana Wagg / Natural Resource Advisor / 23 Oct. 1995/
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