Federal Environment Minister Catherine McKenna has given the go-ahead to the Burnco Aggregate Mine Project, stating that the proposed project “is not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects when the mitigation measures described in the Comprehensive Study Report are taken into account.”
In a May 10 announcement, McKenna said the decision “was based on rigorous science, extensive consultation with Indigenous groups and a diversity of Canadians, and input from experts across various disciplines.”
The federal government, she added, is “confident the mitigation measures outlined for this project will allow it to move forward in a way that protects the environment, while supporting the local economy and creating good middle-class jobs.”
Now that the federal environmental assessment decision has been made, McKenna has referred the project to Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) for authorization under the Fisheries Act. The DFO is responsible for ensuring Burnco implements the mitigation measures and follow-up programs contained in the Comprehensive Study Report.
Derek Holmes, land and resource manager at Burnco, said he is “pleased with it,” and that the decision falls in line with the province’s approval.
“It’s kind of confirmed that the assessment was well harmonized and lots of hard work went into it,” he said, adding “the stakeholders involved have been hugely valuable in making it successful.”
Not all groups think the decision spells success. The project has faced ongoing criticism from constituents and residents in the Howe Sound Area, with Ian Winn, Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) director for West Howe Sound calling the provincial environmental assessment process “flawed.”
If DFO authorizes the project, Burnco will need to acquire more permits and is seeking rezoning approval from the SCRD to process the gravel on site.
The company expects to extract between one and four million tonnes of aggregate per year. The processed gravel would then be shipped by barge. The project site is located on Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) Nation territory in Electoral Area F, West Howe Sound and is 22 km from southwest of Squamish.
The province issued an environmental assessment certificate to Burnco in March, while Skwxwú7mesh Nation announced their support for the project in February.
