Morrison Copper-Gold Project
Participant Funding Program - Aboriginal Funding Envelope
Funding Review Committee's Report
Allocation of Federal Funds for Phase I of the Morrison Copper/Gold Mine Project - Aboriginal Funding Envelope
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. The PFP also includes an Aboriginal Funding Envelope (AFE) to strengthen the ability of Aboriginal groups to participate in federal or joint environmental assessment (EA) processes and in related consultation activities.
A Funding Review Committee (FRC), independent of the review process, was established to assess applications for funding under Phase I of the AFE for the Morrison Copper/Gold Mine project (the Project) and recommend a funding allocation to the applicants. Under Phase I of the AFE, a total of $40,000 was made available to enable applicants to participate in the early stages of the comprehensive study process for the Project with a particular emphasis on supporting Aboriginal groups' comments on the proposed scope and selection of the track to be followed for the remainder of the EA (either comprehensive study or review by a panel or by means of meditation). Further funding will be made available during Phase II of the EA process to support review and comments on the Environmental Impact Statement if a decision is made to proceed with the review by means of a comprehensive study. Should a decision be made to refer the Project to a panel or a mediation, then a separate funding program in support of those activities will be established.
On March 12, 2010, the FRC met to review the one application received. The FRC members were Mr. Bruce Morgan, Executive Advisor to the Vice-President, Operations Sector, Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency (the Agency), acting as Committee Chairperson; Mr. Paul Scott, retired Regional Director of the Agency's Pacific and Yukon office; and Mr. Ray Crook, Environmental Assessment Consultant.
Background
Pacific Booker Minerals Ltd. proposes to develop gold and copper deposits located adjacent to Lake Babine near Granisle, BC. Various iterations of the Project have been proposed since 2003. The most recent Project description, and the Project description that is the basis for the current EA, was submitted to the British Columbia Environmental Assessment Office (BCEAO) and the Agency in September 2008. The Major Project Management Office (MPMO) identified the Project as a Major Resource Project 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 environmental assessment 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 designated as the Federal Environmental Assessment Coordinator.
Eligibility
Under the PFP-AFE, funding may be provided to Aboriginal groups who plan to engage in Aboriginal consultation activities with the federal government that are linked to the EA of a proposed project through a comprehensive study, mediation or review panel. The funds can be used to support engagement in consultation activities and input to the EA.
Applicants must demonstrate that they meet at least one of the following three eligibility criteria:
- have a direct, local interest in the Project, such as a residence in the area or historical or cultural ties to the area likely to be affected by the Project;
- have community knowledge or Aboriginal traditional knowledge relevant to the EA; and/or
- have expert information relevant to the anticipated environmental effects of the Project.
Funding from other sources that is known to have been made available to or received by Aboriginal groups related to the review of a project is considered by the FRC, as are any partnerships between the applicants and other participants in a project assessment.
The PFP received one application for funding. The Lake Babine Nation requested a total of $48,293. Based on the information presented in its application, the Lake Babine Nation was found to be an eligible applicant.
Rationale for Allocation
Based on the information contained in its application, the FRC concluded that the Lake Babine Nation has interests in the Project and potentially an important role to play in the EA. However, the FRC found that the application did not include a clear indication of how the funds applied for would be used to provide input into Phase I of the review. In fact, the applicant appeared to be applying for funds to participate throughout all phases of the federal EA, and not just Phase I.
Recommendation
The FRC recommends an allocation of $30,000 to the Lake Babine Nation to participate in the early stages of the comprehensive study process. The FRC believes that the following three activities would qualify for Phase I funding and recommends that any funding agreements entered into between the Agency and the applicant clearly state that the Phase I funding activities be limited to these activities:
- education of communities about the Project and the EA process to be followed;
- reviewing, consulting and providing comments on the scoping document to be issued by the federal responsible authorities; and
- meetings with the Agency and federal responsible authorities.
The FRC also recommends that any funding agreements entered into between the Agency and the applicant clearly state that a condition of funding is that the recipient must provide comments on the scoping documents.
The Participant Funding Review Committee
Morrison Copper/Gold Mine Project
____________________________
Mr. Bruce Morgan, Committee Chairperson, Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
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Mr. Paul Scott, Retired Regional Director of the Agency's Pacific and Yukon office
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Mr. Ray Crook, Environmental Assessment Consultant
| Applicant | Total amount recommended |
|---|---|
| Lake Babine Nation | $30,000 |
Document reference number: 1