Thomas Resources application ‘non-intrusive’: Corner Brook mayor
Corner Brook Mayor Neville Greeley doesn’t expect to hear anything in the next 14 days that the City of Corner Brook hasn’t already heard when it comes to drilling in the city’s protected water supply area.
Thomas Resources Inc. has resubmitted an application to the city to conduct core drilling in the area north of Corner Brook Lake. The company’s plan is to drill 21 holes at nine different locations to look for garnet and kyanite.
The proposed drilling is a continuation of exploration that started in the area in 2005 and Greeley said approval of this phase does not mean approval of any future phase.
“And the company well knows that,” he said. “Basically what we’re evaluating is the activity that will be taking place, which is a pretty benign activity.”
He said the application is pretty non-intrusive from an environmen- tal perspective.
As part of the process of considering the application the city launched a 14-day public consultation process on Monday.
“That gives anybody who wants to review the application — to ask questions of council or back to the proponent — that gives them 14 days to do it.”
The company had previously submitted an application for the same work this past December and a 45day consultation process ended on Jan. 29.
At the time the city was in the process of finalizing its Integrated Municipal Sustainability Plan and development regulations and it was decided the company would have to resubmit its application under those regulations. “So that there would be no grey area,” said Greeley.
He said any comments or information gathered during that consultation will be included in this one and people do not need to resubmit.
Once the consultation period is over any submissions received will be taken into consideration as city staff review the application and make a recommendation to council.
Because the project falls under the discretionary use category council could decide to go with the recommendation by staff or not.
“What we have to look at is managing the environment in a sustainable manner where we mitigate any risks that’s there and we move forward and take advantage of the opportunity that we have,” said Greeley.
He expects council will make a decision on the application in August and, if approved, the work could be completed by September.
As per the previous plan, the drill would be flown to the area by helicopter and the flight plan would not travel over Corner Brook Lake. The company also plans to make use of ATVs and travel existing roads in the area.
Anyone interested in participating in the public consultation process can do so by emailing planning@cornerbrook.com or mailing or dropping off a written submission to city hall. Comments on the issue that are directed through social media will not be considered.