| Abstract/Description or Keywords |
An audit of placer mining operations in the Cariboo Region was undertaken by Ecosystems staff from the Ministry of Environment (now MFLNRO) during the summer of 2010. The study was initiated in response to a substantial increase in the number of placer Notices of Work being received by government, and concern over potential environmental impacts associated with this industry. During the audit, a sample of twenty-six placer tenures were inspected and assessed for compliance with submitted Notice of Works. The audit sample was distributed throughout much of the area of placer activity in the region, within the major watersheds of the Cottonwood and Quesnel Rivers, encompassing ten watershed basins with both anadromous salmon and resident trout populations. Parameters assessed during inspections related to potential habitat impacts and specifically included: vicinity of works to watercourses and areas designated as Critical Fish Habitat; size and extent of disturbance areas; disturbance to designated wildlife habitat and unglate winter range areas; operations in Old Growth Management Areas; and adequacy of reclamation. Of the twenty-three active tenures inspected, 74% were found to be in non-compliance with their Notices of Work. The results of this audit highlight the risk of aquatic, fish, and riparian habitat impacts, occurring in high value fisheries watersheds with inherent hydrological sensitivity. Works within the 10m placer riparian reserve setback were observed at more that half (57%) of the active tenures, while unauthorized in stream works had occurred at 43% of tenures, and evidence of waste water discharge into water bodies was observed at 30% of the tenures. Inadequate reclamation and unreported disturbance areas on placer mine tenures were also key findings of the audit. The audit revealed that placer Notices of Work did not accurately reflect the works that were undertaken on the ground, and that the size and types of disturbance associated with placer mining are much greater than perceived or reported. Recommendations are made for regionally stepping up compliance and enforcement on placer mine operations; implementing regional environmental protection standards through the placer mine permitting process; locally developing basic guidance information on acceptable practices for dissemination to placer miners active in this area; renewal of the Horsefly River Watershed placer No-staking Reserve; and development of provincial environmental protection standards specific to the placer mining industry. |
