Sign the petitions!
https://www.change.org/petitions/minister-of-natural-resources-quebec-protect-kipawa-lake
(signatures worldwide excepted on the charge.org petition, no minimum age required)
Sign these official government petitions (citizens/residents of Canada only)
Green Party of Canada Petition
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B_RVu60TVfd2UXBobUJteFFnSnM/edit?usp=sharing (French)
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B_RVu60TVfd2aDlieXpWTmtFeXM/edit?usp=sharing (English)
NDP (Christine Moore) Navigable Waterways Petition
http://christinemoore.ndp.ca/petition-navigable-waterways
Support the Kipawa Lake Preservation Society
The Kipawa Lake Preservation Society is a volunteer led group of local and seasonal residents of
Kipawa Lake and surrounding areas. Their goals are to lobby for the long term
protection of Kipawa Lake and surrounding areas. They are concerned about the
many threats to this watershed and the impacts they will have on the health of
the ecosystem and nearby communities.
A website with more information about the proposed mining projects, exploration, and risks as well as more information on what the public can do to help (including letter writing campaigns, volunteer opportunities, and other initiatives) will be available shortly. In the meantime please support the Kipawa Lake Preservation Society by visiting https://www.facebook.com/KipawaLakePreservationSociety and hitting the 'like' button.
Wednesday, February 5, 2014
Recent News Articles
The Green Party of Quebec does not support Rare Earth Mining
Environment Group APART launches studies into risks of air
pollution for the Kipawa Rare Earth project
Toyoto Prius Not So Green After All
The search for transparency in a global gold rush for rare earths
What you need to know about rare earth metal mining
Opponent Fears for Lake
Temiscaming Residents Rally Against Mine
Peaceful protest in Kipawa against Matamec mining project
Kipawa Lake Preservation Society
The following statement was released by the Kipawa Lake Preservation Society:
The following translated quotes appeared in an article published on
Friday January 24th by La Frontière (http://www.lafrontiere.ca/2014/01/23/ceux-qui-nous-contestent-le-font-avec-un-ordinateur-qui-utilise-des-terres-rares)
«Les lois environnementales au Canada et au Québec interdisent de
polluer les cours d’eau. On ne pourrait pas polluer le lac Kipawa. Nous allons
bientôt déposer notre demande de permis pour la mine et nous avons l’intention
de démontrer que notre projet est respectueux de l’environnement» a indiqué Claude Brisson, de Matamec
"
Environmental laws in Canada and Quebec prohibit the pollution of waterways. We
could not pollute Lake Kipawa. We will soon submit our application for a permit
to mine and we intend to demonstrate that our project is environmentally
friendly " Claude Brisson, Director of Regional Relations, Matamec.
«Les gens qui nous contestent le font avec des
ordinateurs qui utilisent des terres rares. On ne peut pas se passer de ce
produit. C’est mieux d’exploiter des mines de terres rares dans des
juridictions où la législation environnementale est plus sévère, comme le
Québec, que dans des pays où l’environnement est moins protégé» Claude
Brisson, de Matamec
"People
who challenge us do it with computers that use rare earths. We can not do
without this product. It's better to mine rare earths in jurisdictions where
environmental legislation is more severe, like Quebec, than in countries where
the environment is less protected " Claude Brisson, Director of Regional
Relations, Matamec
It is the belief of the Kipawa Lake Preservation Society that in light
of proposed rare earths projects, there is urgency for environmental groups and
the public to work together NOW (more
than ever) to oppose such activities. Kipawa Lake should be protected from
development for its intrinsic worth and not exploited solely for the monetary
value of its resources below the surface.
Though it is true that Federal and Provincial legislation exists to
protect the environment, it is not unthinkable to assume that the unexpected
CAN (and does) happen. Mitigation
measures are created to plan for unforeseen negative effects on the
environment, but not everything can be planned for. Any mining company
technically “could” pollute because they have the “ability” to. Laws are broken
and fines exist JUST for such reasons.
Mr. Brisson, Director of Regional Relations for Matamec, has stated that
the laws are such that their project could not pollute Lake Kipawa. Yet from the
Feasibility study published by Matamec on October 17, 2013 it would appear otherwise.
Please see attached pages 296-299 of that document that outlines effects on
surface water quality and hydrology, impacts on fish and waterfowl, risks of
accidental spills, groundwater draw down and impacts on groundwater, effects on
soil quality, air quality, changes in noise and vibration, loss of vegetation
and wetlands, habitat loss or alteration, modification of lands and resource
use, visual modifications of the landscape, potential disturbance to
archeological sites. The full document can be accessed online
http://matamec.com/vns-site/uploads/documents/061623-003-finrep_matamec-n143-101-20131017-001-appen.pdf
It is important to note that the intended use of the ore from the Kipawa
Rare Earths project is not for
computers or electronic devices, but for hybrid and electric vehicle
production.
Alex Tyrell of the Green Party of Quebec issued a statement this past
Friday as well, «Les voitures électriques
n’émettent peut-être pas de CO2 lorsqu’elles roulent, mais elles ne sont pas
vertes pour autant. Les mines de terres rares sont très polluantes et on ne
peut pas accepter qu’elles soient situées près des cours d’eau comme le lac
Kipawa», a soutenu M. Tyrrell.
Mr. Tyrrell stated “Electric cars may be don’t release
carbon dioxide when they are on the road but they are not ‘green’. Rare earth
mines are a source of a great deal of pollution and we can not except that they
be situated near a body of water like Kipawa Lake.”
For the full article please visit http://www.lafrontiere.ca/2014/01/23/pas-de-mines-terres-rares-au-quebec-dit-le-pvq
We agree with Mr. Tyrrell, and it is our belief that
regardless of the intended use of the ore or the regulations in place, rare
earth mining has never been carried out in a safe manner. The Metal Mining and
Effluent Regulations as referred to in Matamec’s feasibility study were not
written with rare earth mining in mind. They limit the release of some but not all of the contaminants of
concern associated with rare earth mines. Even if all safety precautions are implemented
there is always a risk that an accident could occur. No mining company can make
guarantees that their projects will not impact nearby waterways or the
environment. We should not be prepared to risk our beautiful waterways, our
health and the air we breathe for the sake of alternative “green” products
which are proving to be not so green. We are merely trading one environmental
problem for another. There are currently no recycling programs for rare earth
ores and at the end of the lifespan of electronic devices these ores end up in
landfills. We need to find better solutions to these problems that do not put
our health and ecosystems at risk. The technology already exists for electric
cars that do not use rare earths for more information please
visit http://rareearthinvestingnews.com/4032-toyota-developing-alternatives-to-rare-earth-motors.html
The mission of the Kipawa Lake Preservation Society is to
preserve the Kipawa watershed as it is, environmentally healthy and unpolluted,
through constant dialogue, education and protective initiatives that involve
the local population, general public, government officials and corporations
directly or indirectly related to the Kipawa watershed. Stay tuned for more
information and the launch of http://www.kipawalakepreservationsociety.ca/
For questions, concerns or more information please
contact savekipawalake@gmail.com
New Mining Laws
New mining laws for the province of Quebec were adapted in December 2013. We have received conflicting information as to if the proposed Matamec project will now have to undergo an environmental impact assessment at the provincial level (BAPE). Along with the changes the Minister's right to refuse a project was waived. This change puts more decision power in the hands of the local municipalities. More details will follow once available.
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