Matawa fears consequences of comprehensive environmental assessment

Matawa Chiefs have been calling for a joint review panel environmental assessment since May, but are in a state of disbelief about the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency’s (CEAA) decision to choose a comprehensive study environmental assessment (EA) process for the Cliff’s Chromite Project near Webequie and Marten Falls First Nations.
“I don’t understand how the CEAA can make this kind of choice,” Chief Sonny Gagnon of Aroland First Nation said in a press release. “The area being affected is among one of the largest groups of intact wetlands in the world. These Ring of Fire developments are going to impact everyone in the region, one way or another, but especially the First Nations near these developments. These are First Nation homelands and we need the best EA process out there to protect them.”
The CEAA has indicated three conditions that would convince them to move to a joint review process:
1. Significant adverse effects on the environment
2. Significant public concern
3. Infringement on Aboriginal and Treaty Rights.
Matawa Chiefs are insisting that the proposed mining projects do meet all of these conditions and require a joint environmental review. Also, that a much smaller project near Marathon was bumped up to a joint panel review EA process, and Matawa First Nations is asking for the same for these larger projects in their territory.
Matawa community members have been writing letters to the Federal Minister of Environment and to their local MP's expressing their concerns over the EA process.
More information can found at:www.fourriversmatawa.cawww.facebook.com/RingoffireEnvironment