WATSON LAKE, YUKON -- (Marketwire) -- 11/18/10 -- Liard First Nation ("LFN") has filed a court action to stop a major underground exploration project until a thorough environmental assessment takes place. LFN are asking a judge to find that the Yukon Environmental and Socio-Economic Assessment Board ("YESAB") failed to properly assess the advanced exploration project.
The Selwyn site is located in the southeast Yukon approximately 280 km north-north-east of Watson Lake on the border with the Northwest Territories. The proposed Project will see 200,000 cubic meters of rock removed and 30 tonnes of bulk sampling. Water used for waste-rock and ore impoundment will be released into the Don Creek, a stream that flows into the Pelly River and on into the Yukon River.
"We had an independent expert review the proposed project and he found that YESAB had not assessed what the potential impacts would be from releasing the waste-water into the Don Creek," said Chief Liard McMillan. "Yukoners depend on the environmental assessment process to protect our lands, health and natural resources. We will allow only responsible and sustainable development in Kaska territory."
Liard First Nation's legal counsel, Drew Mildon of Woodward & Company, added: "Surely the mining industry wants to see that environmental assessments are properly executed and that First Nations concerns are listened to. Rigorous and effective assessment processes help create certainty on the ground for all the parties involved."
Chief McMillan added: "As stewards of these lands, with responsibilities to those things on the land who have no voice, we are required to take steps when regulatory processes break down."
Contacts:
Liard First Nation
Chief Liard McMillan
867.536.7901
