The British Columbia Ministry of Environment has approved the Elk Valley Water Quality Plan, which will address the management of selenium and other substances related to mining activities in the Elk Valley watershed.
The plan was informed by scientific advice received from a Technical Advisory Committee chaired by the Ministry, which included representatives from Teck Resources Limited, the Ktunaxa Nation, the United States Environmental Protection Agency, the State of Montana, Environment Canada, and several other agencies and independent scientists. The Ministry also sought out public input in three phases of consultation as the plan progressed.
The plan lays out short-, medium-, and long-term water quality targets that aim to protect the environment and human health against selenium, nitrate, sulphate, and cadmium. It also includes the construction of water diversions and water treatment facilities, including Teck’s Line Creek operations, Fording River operations, and possibly, Elkview operations.
