At a special regional board meeting on August 11, qathet Regional District's (qRD) board agreed to participate in a joint statement with Tla’amin Nation, outlining expectations for potential purchasers of the Catalyst Paper Tis’kwat mill site.
According to a media release from qRD, the joint statement aims to prevent site liabilities, disruptions and closures by requiring future purchasers to provide comprehensive plans and proven resources to maintain sustainable business practices.
"The qathet Regional District stands united with the ɬaʔamɩn Nation in protecting the interests of local residents, economy, and environment," stated Clay Brander, qRD board chair.
"Together, we seek a clear demonstration that any prospective purchaser of the Tis’kwat mill site, currently owned by Paper Excellence, fully understands and accepts responsibility for the site's ongoing environmental liabilities, as well as regular monitoring obligations. To avoid insolvency, strategic abandonment of the property, decommissioning and costly site remediation at the public’s expense, we request that any potential purchasers prepare a comprehensive and responsible environmental strategy, as well as provide proof of sufficient resources to sustainably manage the site.”
At the July 26 regular board meeting, the regional board reviewed a draft joint statement from Tla’amin and requested a meeting with the First Nation's leadership to understand their plans and desires for the mill site, the release stated. Following discussions with Tla'amin, the release stated that the regional board felt confident in supporting the joint statement, which addresses many shared goals, including: protecting the local environment; reinvigorating the local economy following the curtailment of mill operations and recognizing the cultural significance of the Tis’kwat mill site.
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