FISHER HARBOUR UPDATE
September 9, 2009

• On Tuesday, August 25th, the MBA Fisher Harbour Task Force succeeded in asking NEMI council to pass a resolution stating its opposition to any harmful products being shipped into or out of Fisher Harbour. The resolution was passed unanimously.
  
  
• To date the Task Force has met with the MNR, Chief Shining Turtle of the Whitefish River First Nations (WRFN) and with ACIL (owners of Fisher Harbour). Discussions have been effective, positive and, at this early point in the process, it appears all are cautiously optimistic and moving ahead in the right direction.
  
  
• As a result of our meetings to date, we have been successful in developing an Agreed Statement of Facts that the MBA, the WRFN and ACIL all agree upon as a starting point for negotiations.
  
  
• As part of this Agreed Statement, ACIL has agreed that there will be no harmful metal concentrates, in fact no harmful products of any kind, shipped into or out of the harbour. As well, safer measures will be put in place with salt storage; it will be tarped sooner and within 5 years, it will be moved back off the lease land, away from the water and onto ACIL’s own property.
  
  
• The first formal negotiations commence Wednesday, September 16th, 2009. Three representatives from each of the MBA, the WRFN and ACIL will meet to expand upon the Agreed Statement.
  
  
• The MBA Task Force will try to effect a unanimous agreement between MBA, WRFN and ACIL for recommendation to the MNR.
  
  
• The MBA’s formal submission to the MNR is posted on the MBA website under the link entitled Fisher Harbour/ACIL. Updates will be posted there as well.