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“In general, the length of an investigation is dependent upon the complexity of the occurrence and the amount of information that needs to be gathered and considered. Be assured that both levels of government are committed to a thorough investigation within the timeframe of the federal statute of limitations,” said Karn.

Penalties can be far more significant under federal legislation, specifically the Fisheries Act, than under provincial legislation, noted Karn.

The federal Environment Department did not respond to a request for comment.

Mining Watch Canada spokesman Jamie Kneen said he had no insight on why it was taking so long to lay charges or whether, ultimately, charges would be laid.

“Clearly we have some concerns. We would like to see something happen,” he said.

Last year, the B.C. conservation service said the investigation that it was leading involving a dedicated team of 15 to 16 of its officers and several federal investigators — and that it had started almost immediately after the Aug. 4, 2014 dam failure.

In the environment ministry’s written response Friday, Karn said the conservation officer service does not comment on investigative staffing levels while a matter is under investigation. “Environment Minister George Heyman has recognized resource needs for the (service) and promised to provide additional conservation officers,” added Karn.

The failure of the earth-and-rock dam spilled millions of cubic metres of mine effluent and tailings, including into Quesnel Lake, and scoured nine-kilometre Hazeltine Creek where trout and coho salmon spawned.

The release included millions of cubic metres of tailings: finely-ground rock, remaining after the milling process to extract gold and copper, which contain potentially toxic metals.

Imperial Metals spent millions of dollars to rehabilitate Hazeltine Creek.

The tailings dumped into Quesnel Lake remain at the bottom of the lake.

Studies on the effect of the spill are expected to continue for years.

ghoekstra@postmedia.com

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