The City of Fernie has been approved for an Environmental Assessment Certificate for the James White Park Wells project by Environment Minister Mary Polak and Community, Sport and Cultural Development Minister Peter Fassbender.
There are 23 conditions that are part of this EAC including constant monitoring of ground and surface water, reduce risks to fish and nesting birds and continued consultation with the Ktunaxa Nation Council.
The James White Park Wells project is a groundwater extraction facility that will allow the City of Fernie to address ongoing drinking and water quality issues caused by high level of suspended soils.
The project also consists of replacing the existing well that was used as a secondary water supply until it became unusable due to sedimentation.
The James White Park Wells project will consist of two production wells, a pump house and a 400 millimeter diameter transmission main, and will extract a maximum of 200 litres of water per second with both wells operating.