Transcript of Letter from Dan Miller

July 5, 2000

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Dear Mr. Ferguson:

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Thank you for your letter dated April 8, 2000 sent on behalf of the Tsolum River Restoration Society regarding remediation of the Mt. Washington Mine.

I would like to commend the Tsolum River Task Force (TRTF) on the work it has accomplished over the past three years, including establishing Society status and for undertaking considerable effort in exploring remedial options to fix the copper contamination problem at the Mt. Washington Mine. In reflecting on the meeting I had with a delegation on the TRTF in July 1997, I together with Honourable Cathy McGregor, former Minister of Environment, Lands and Parks, advised TRTF members to apply for funding to facilitate remediation of the Mt. Washington Mine and restore fish habitat in the Tsolum River.

I am aware that the Acid Rock Drainage remediation portion of the TRTF proposal to FsRBC was not approved, but that the Water Monitoring and Water Storage initiatives did receive funding. It is, however, the responsibility of FsRBC to determine the best use of Government funds under this program. I understand that you were informed in January 1999 by FsRBC (Comox Strathcona Fisheries Renewal Partnership Group), that they regarded enhancement of fish habitat in other areas of the Province, where increasing salmon stocks could be immediately realized, as a higher priority.

Remediation of the Tsolum River is an important issue, but any further expenditures on the Mt. Washington Mine site must be based on a sound, well-developed remediation plan that shows a solid chance of success. Government has limited funds available and hard decisions have to be made on how these are allocated.

Mt. Washington remediation will undoubtedly require a high capital commitment as well as ongoing operational treatment expenditures. I do not know the precise nature of the funds required and I am very uncertain what the result will be. Until I can see a firm remediation proposal along with fully described costs and the probability of success, I am not willing to commit further expenditures.

I have asked my staff to continue to support the TRTF to help at a remedial solution and better define the associated financial costs and risks.

Yours Truly,

Dan Miller

Minister