Bowdens Silver

I would like to submit my objection to the proposed Bowden silver mine for the following reasons:
1. The application does not disclose the level of lead that will contanimate the water with toxic level for a small yield of silver. These toxic levels of lead will have long term impact on the community health overall, including the health of children.
2. There will be potential for water contaminations which will potentially impact aquatic habitat, loss of pristine landscape due to the mining, processing and distribution
3. Potential to destroy significant Aboriginal cultural heritage, with further loss to the local indigenous community if objects are removed or scarred and the resulting loss of self worth of that community.

I strongly oppose this project going ahead in the proposed location and have attached a submission supporting my concerns.

To whom it may concern,

I am writing on behalf of Watershed Landcare Inc in relation to the Bowdens Silver EIS, specifically p 195 of the EIS regarding Stakeholder Consultation mentioning our organisation. I would like to clarify our position as we believe it has been misrepresented in the EIS.

Watershed Landcare was approached by Bowdens Silver representatives in April 2019 to provide comment on the rehabilitation of the project. The management Committee felt that the communication received was unclear regarding the intent of the consultation and that they lacked the necessary background detail to provide informed input at a face to face meeting. The Committee also highlighted that providing input on rehabilitation only is not consistent with the broader interests of our group.

The relevant correspondence is attached for your reference.
Typically, our organisation is not involved in design and does not provide advice on mine development. However, the Committee were willing to take part in the consultation process providing that they were provided with adequate detail relating to the proposal and sufficient time to review and absorb/distil this information, prior to any meetings being held.
Neither Bowdens Silver or their representatives were forthcoming with any documents relating to this proposal, and were only willing to discuss the project and disclose detail during face to face meetings.
I would also like to clarify the relationship between Watershed Landcare and Bingman Landcare. Bingman Landcare is a local group whose members will be directly affected by the Bowdens Silver development and who consequently formed the Lue Action Group. Watershed Landcare is the regional network group, encompassing the entire Mid-Western Regional Council area, and supports smaller groups within our footprint so it should be expected there is some common membership.
Our organisation prides its self on our professionalism and integrity and we have Conflict of Interest policies in place. We object to the inference made in the EIS that this commonality of membership puts our objectivity into doubt.


Sincerely,
Vivien Howard
Chair, Watershed Landcare Inc