Hudbay’s environmental superintendent attended a recent meeting of Snow Lake’s Town Council to discuss environmental issues.
Jay Cooper appeared as the result of a request from council to open a dialogue on environmental concerns within the Snow Lake area.
He began by stating that he was unsure of what was on council’s mind, but noted a reoccurring theme – when the public had concerns with Hudbay, they talked to their council about them.
Cooper noted the council should not have to take flak for Hudbay and that any concerns should be handed off.
He added that the company was making more of an effort of late to try and deal more effectively with issues of an environmental nature.
Deputy Mayor Richard Jones advised that he was of the opinion council should sit down with the company on a quarterly, or at least a twice yearly basis, to discuss environmental items, making a point of stating they wanted to hear all the good as well as any concerns.
Cooper replied that Hudbay would be open to presentations and a dialogue on that basis and wondered if there was any one thing that had brought the request for a meeting about.
Jones stated that there was a concern with a con shed contractor refueling a loader at a community gas station.
Cooper stated that he hadn’t heard this directly, but that it shouldn’t be happening. He sees this as a “Hudbay policing” issue and also sees there being an easy fix to the concern by the contractor in question using a slip tank.
Jones said that other than that, council just wanted to establish the relationship. Cooper replied that a phone call works and that he would come in and meet with council.
My Take on Snow Lake runs Fridays.
