Obviously, there is a wide divide between those who are in favour of the New Prosperity Gold-Copper Mine Project and those who would like to see it stopped in its tracks.
Folks at the public hearings in Williams Lake last week who watched and listened to the submissions to the federal review panel have all reported the same thing. All the presentations by both the proponents and opponents of the mine were emotionally charged.
After the first round of environmental hearings for Prosperity Mine and the ultimate rejection by the federal Conservative cabinet in 2010, this time around the proponents are not being complacent about the environmental hearings.
They are not being lulled into slumber by the preconception New Prosperity would be a no-brainer development that would provide a much-needed economic boost to Quesnel, Williams Lake, 100 Mile House and First Nations people.
While they are not lamenting about the loss of the Aboriginal way of life as is the case with the environmentalists and the First Nations people, who live in the vicinity of the proposed mine, the proponents are pitting emotions against emotions.
During the first set of environmental hearings, environmentalists and First Nations people were very successful in garnering support for their cause.
During this set of hearings, however, the proponents are also speaking with their hearts.
They are talking about their losing their way of life because the local economy is only hanging on by the slim thread of hope that some new industry or development will pull us out of the doldrums.
They are choking back sobs and wiping away tears, as they talk about losing their families and the youth because they have to leave the area to find jobs to feed themselves and their children.
The concern is tangible for the proponents, many of whom have families that have lived here for generations.
They fear that everything they have worked so hard for over the years is going to shrivel up and die.
They see the impending downfall of the forest industry and worry about the impact it will have on their towns.
They are concerned the communities they have been raised in and have raised their children and grandchildren in are going to become virtual ghost towns.
Emotions appear to be a saw-off at this time.
The deciding factor will likely be whether the $300 million Taseko has put into the project to save Fish Lake will stand up to the scrutiny of the scientists and environmental experts.