Fording River Operations Swift project granted environmental assessment approval

Because of plunging resource prices, Teck Coal Ltd. is unsure of when the expansion at the Fording River project will commence.

An environmental assessment certificate has been issued to Teck Coal Ltd. for the Fording River Operations Swift Project. — Photo courtesy Teck/KBM file photo

Environment Minister Mary Polak and Energy and Mines Minister Bill Bennett have issued an environmental assessment certificate to Teck Coal Ltd. for the Fording River Operations Swift project, which is located 20 kilometres northeast of Elkford. The decision was made after considering a review led by British Columbia's Environmental Assessment Office.

Ironically, the approval comes amidst a worldwide glut of coal and plunging resource prices. When Teck will proceed on the proposed expansion of Fording River is definitely in question at this point in time.  Teck started the application for the expansion back in 2011.

The approval decision also considered the requirements of the Elk Valley Water Quality Plan approved by the Minister of Environment in November 2014. The ministers have issued the certificate with legally enforceable conditions that have given them the confidence to conclude that the project will be constructed, operated and decommissioned in a way that ensures that no significant adverse effects are likely to occur. A record of the factors that the ministers considered in making their decision can be found in the Reasons for Ministers Decision at: http://tinyurl.com/qh8ylqe

There are 19 conditions that are part of the environmental assessment certificate. Design requirements are specified in the certified project description. Each of the conditions and the certified project description are legally binding requirements that Teck must meet to be in compliance with the certificate. The certificate conditions were developed following consultation and input from the Ktunaxa Nation Council, government agencies, communities and the public.

Key conditions for the project require Teck to: 

• Hire an independent environmental monitor to audit whether Teck is complying with the conditions in the environmental assessment certificate;
• Construct and operate water treatment plants at Fording River Operations in accordance with the timeframe and specifications set out in the Elk Valley Water Quality Plan;
• Develop management plans to monitor and mitigate effects on wildlife, fish and fish habitat, air quality and noise, public access, and water, as well as effects from invasive plants;
• Develop and implement a plan that will address the recommendations of the Westslope Cutthroat Trout population study in the upper Fording River (when that study is completed early in 2016);
• Establish an advisory group to provide scientific, technical and Aboriginal advice on strategies to evaluate and reduce impacts on biodiversity from this and other projects operated by Teck in the Elk Valley;
• and Collaborate with the Ktunaxa Nation to ensure protection of Ktunaxa's cultural and heritage values, obtain input regarding ecological values, and support Ktunaxa's participation in economic opportunities associated with the project.

Ministry of Environment Environmental Assessment Office Connect with the Province of B.C. at: www.gov.bc.ca/connect Communications Ministry of Environment: (250) 953-3834