An Environmental Assessment Certificate amendment application by CertainTeed Gypsum Canada Inc. (CertainTeed) for the Kootenay West Mine, located 12 km northeast of the Village of Canal Flats, is currently under review by the Environmental Assessment Office of British Columbia (EAO).

The amendment would involve the relocation of a four-km portion of the Kootenay Forest Service Road. The proposed project is subject to review under British Columbia’s Environmental Assessment Act.

CertainTeed has submitted its amendment application, which requires approval by the EAO before any work can be undertaken on the road relocation.

There are 30 days for the public to submit comments on the application. The comment period began April 18 and end on May 21. All relevant comments received during this comment period will be considered.

The intention of seeking public comments is to ensure that all potential effects – environmental, economic, social, heritage and health – that might result from the amendment are identified for consideration as part of the assessment process.

The Kootenay West Mine is a proposed gypsum mine located northeast of Canal Flats. The expected lifespan of the proposed KWM is 43 years. An estimated 17 million tonnes would be mined at a rate of approximately 400,000 tonnes per year, the company says.

For more on the mine.

The EAO accepts public comments through the following:

By Online Form

By Mail: Terry Pratt, Project Assessment Manager Environmental Assessment Office PO Box 9426 Stn Prov Govt Victoria, B.C. V8W 9V1

By Fax: 250-387-2208

An electronic copy of the application and information regarding the environmental assessment process are available HERE.

Copies of the application are also available for viewing at these locations:

Canal Flats Village Office – 8866 Grainger Rd. Canal Flats B.C., V0B 1B0

District of Invermere Office – 914 8th Ave. Invermere B.C., V0A 1K0

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