Participant Funding Program Review Committee's Report
Regular Funding Envelope

Allocation of Funds for Participation in the Comprehensive Study of the Morrison Copper-Gold project

The Participant Funding Program (PFP) is established pursuant to subsection 58(1.1) of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (the Act), which states: For the purposes of this Act, the Minister shall establish a participant funding program to facilitate the participation of the public in comprehensive studies, mediations and assessments by review panels.

A funding review committee (FRC), independent of the environmental assessment (EA), was established to review funding applications and allocate up to $50,000 to applicants. On August 4, 2010, the FRC met to review two applications received by the PFP–Regular Funding Envelope (RFE), requesting a total of $36,986.24 to participate in the comprehensive study process for the Morrison Copper-Gold Project (the Project).

The FRC members were Paul Scott, retired Regional Director of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency's Pacific and Yukon Office, as Committee Chairperson; Dr. George Kupfer, Mediation and Environmental Consultant, Fresh Start Limited; and Raymond L. Crook, Environmental Assessment Consultant.

Background

Pacific Booker Minerals Ltd. (the proponent) proposes to develop gold and copper deposits located adjacent to Lake Babine near Granisle, British Columbia. Various versions of the project plans have been proposed since 2003. The most recent project description that is the basis for the current EA, was submitted to the British Columbia Environmental Assessment Office (BCEAO) and the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency (the Agency) in September 2008. The Major Projects Management Office identified the Project as a major resource project in February 2009 and therefore subject to the Cabinet Directive on Improving the Performance of the Regulatory System for Major Resource Projects.

A Notice of Commencement of a federal environmental assessment pursuant to the Act was posted to the Canadian Environmental Assessment Registry Internet site on July 14, 2009. Based on the proposed mine extraction and milling capacities, the EA is proceeding by way of a comprehensive study.

The Project is also subject to review under British Columbia's Environmental Assessment Act. A cooperative EA is being coordinated with the BCEAO, with the Agency undertaking the duties and functions of the Responsible Authority, and the Federal Environmental Assessment Coordinator.

Eligibility

Individuals, Aboriginal groups and incorporated not-for-profit organizations who demonstrate that they meet at least one of the following criteria are eligible for participant funding under the program—they either:

• have a direct, local interest in the Project, such as living in or owning property in the project area;
• have community knowledge or Aboriginal traditional knowledge relevant to the EA; or
• have expert information relevant to the anticipated environmental effects of the Project.

Parties who are for-profit, have a direct commercial interest in the Project, or represent a level of government other than an Aboriginal government are ineligible for participant funding.

The FRC concluded that both applicants met the eligibility criteria.

Rationale for Allocation

The PFP–RFE provides financial assistance to the eligible parties identified above to participate in public consultation opportunities provided during review panel and joint review panel processes and comprehensive studies. For the Morrison Copper-Gold Project PFP–RFE, the funding is intended to cover comprehensive study process activities that follow the completed public consultation on the scope of the project. The FRC understands that this next EA phase is to focus on providing comments on the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and the comprehensive study report (CSR).

The Métis Nation British Columbia's application focused on activities associated with ensuring that the public consultation on the EA is satisfactory, particularly with regards to Métis rights and traditional land uses. The FRC noted that this applicant was asking for funds related to the now-completed project scoping phase of assessment, and is expecting to apply at a later time for additional funds in connection with the review of the EIS and CSR. The FRC recommends that no funding be provided in connection with the proposed project scoping activities, as such activities are not covered by the PFP–RFE funding available at this stage of the EA process. However, the FRC concluded that the applicant could be funded to undertake some of the activities proposed in its application to prepare for its participation in the next phase of consultation in the comprehensive study process.

The second application from an individual (Dr. Raymond Chipeniuk) dealt with developing a socio-economic analysis by way of independent research conducted by the applicant. The FRC found that the application did not substantially describe the activities which were to be undertaken. The FRC also noted that the applicant was applying for funds to conduct independent research which would duplicate consultations and studies which, under the EA process, are the responsibility of either the proponent or the government. On this basis, the FRC did not consider the applicant's proposed research to be eligible for funding under the PFP–RFE, and could not recommend supporting this application.

The FRC recommended funding amounts that it deemed reasonable in light of the information provided in the applications, taking into account the limitations on the scope of EA activities that are eligible for funding under the PFP–RFE, and the EA activities to be undertaken in the next phase of the comprehensive study process.

Recommendation

The FRC recommends awarding a total of $10,000 to the Métis Nation British Columbia to support the applicant in some (but not all) of the proposed activities, namely those that would prepare the applicant for participation in the next phase of consultation in the comprehensive study process. The FRC recommends that any funding agreement entered into between the Agency and the applicant clearly state that the funding be limited to the following three activities:

• Convening a Métis consultation project team;
• Educating the community about the Project and the EA process to be followed, and identifying potential areas of impact regarding the Project; and
• Evaluating the potential for negative effects of the Project on the environmental and Métis rights and traditional land uses, including meeting with federal responsible authorities.

The FRC further recommends that the Métis Nation British Columbia apply for funding under the PFP–Aboriginal Funding Envelope (AFE) for participation in the next phase of consultation under the comprehensive study process.

For the reasons stated above, the FRC is not recommending any funding for Dr. Richard Chipeniuk.

The Funding Review Committee
Regular Funding Envelope

Morrison Copper-Gold project

________________________________
Paul F. Scott, retired Regional Director of the Agency's Pacific and Yukon office

________________________________
Raymond L. Crook, Environmental Assessment Consultant

________________________________
Dr. George Kupfer, Mediation and Environmental Consultant, Fresh Start Limited

Recommended Participant Funding Awards
Regular Funding Envelope

Morrison Copper-Gold project

Applicant	Total amount approved
Métis Nation British Columbia	$10,000
Dr. Raymond Chipeniuk	$0