canadian environmental assessment agency · [email protected] . william landstrom ....
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Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency 160 Elgin St., 22nd floor Ottawa ON K1A 0H3 613-957-0791
January 31, 2014
Carolyn Dunn [email protected]
William Landstrom President Métis Nation of Alberta Region 1
Sent via e-mail : Dear William, Re: Teck Frontier Oil Sands Project – Consultation on the Draft Joint Review Panel Agreement and Draft Terms of Reference Thank you for your letter of December 16, 2013, outlining Métis Nation of Alberta Region 1’s (MNAR1) comments and concerns related to the Teck Frontier Oil Sands project (the Project). I understand that many of MNAR1’s comments are directed to Teck Resources Ltd (the proponent) as well as to the province. This response only addresses those concerns which are considered to be related to the federal environmental assessment. Thank you for the background information you have provided about MNAR1 and its members.
Regarding the request for a Frontier Mine project-specific traditional land‐use study that assesses the potential impacts on your Métis community, a similar request was made in the federal supplemental information requests (SIRs) that were sent to the Proponent on December 23, 2013. To see these SIRs, go to: http://www.ceaa-acee.gc.ca/050/documents/p65505/97283E.pdf Specifically, SIR # 2.1 asks that the Proponent describe how it has addressed the concerns of MNAR1, and SIR # 2.2 asks the Proponent to provide Métis traditional land use information for MNAR1. Regarding the request to identify potentially affected Aboriginal groups, the December 23, 2013 SIR # 2.1b asks that the Proponent clearly identify which Aboriginal groups the Proponent considers to be potentially affected. I note MNAR1’s statements on the limited capacity it has to be able to participate in this environmental assessment. MNAR1 has qualified for funding to assist its participation in the review of the Project under Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency’s Participant Funding Program (PFP). The PFP provides limited financial assistance specifically to Aboriginal groups to assist them to prepare for and participate in consultation activities and opportunities associated with environmental assessments undertaken by the Agency or by review panels. The Agency receives a fixed annual budget and the PFP is administered in a manner that enables it to provide financial contributions to all qualifying applicants across Canada in a fair
manner. These funds are not meant to fully cover all expenses incurred and participants are encouraged to investigate other sources of funding or in-kind support. The Agency cannot require the Proponent to provide funding. Regarding MNAR1’s concern with the location of the river water intake (RWI), Transport Canada would review an application for the RWI to determine how or if that intake will affect navigation of the waterway. Also, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) will likely be asked to authorize the RWI, and will be assessing any potential effects of the RWI on fish and fish habitat. Regarding MNAR1’s question about when DFO will be consulting with you, I request that you follow up with DFO on this matter. The contact at DFO is Marek Janowicz at [email protected] Regarding MNAR1’s concerns related to caribou, the December 23, 2013 SIR # 3.1 requests information from the Proponent to address such concerns. Regarding MNAR1’s concern related to access management, the December 23, 2013 SIR # 2.6 requests information from the Proponent to address such concerns. Regarding MNAR1’s concerns related to traditional knowledge, the December 23, 2013 SIR # 2.9 requests information from the Proponent to address such concerns. Note that the Agency has received comments on the Project from the Fort Chipewyan Métis local 125. Their comments and concerns have been fully considered in the process, for example in the drafting of the December 23, 2013 SIRs, and the Agency has responded to their December 16, 2013 letter. The Agency has also received a December 16, 2013 letter from the Fort McMurray Métis local 1935, and has responded separately to that letter. The Agency is meeting with the Fort Chipewyan Métis local 125, Fort McMurray Métis local 1935 and Lakeland Métis 1909, about consultation and the technical review of the Project, in February 2014. I look forward to meeting with you on February 5, 2014 to discuss this Project. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me at [email protected] or 613-957-0791. Sincerely,
Carolyn Dunn [email protected] 613-957-0791 Cc: Diane Scoville, MNAR1 Peter Fortna, Willowsprings Consulting