Derby
Crew Member
Dear River Advocates,
The attached TV and newspaper stories are 2 of many this past week focusing on what is becoming one of Canada’s highest profile environmental controversies. It centers on a proposal to place a hazardous waste treatment plant adjacent to the most productive stretch of the Fraser River, the world’s greatest salmon river. The main concern is about location of the facility, in that placing such a plant (which will handle large amounts of mercury, PCB’s and other toxic waste) on the banks of the river offers no grace in case of an accident. The risk of spillage, seepage, an accident, flood, fire, etc over time is all too real. In such a case, toxic waste would flow directly into the river.
Clearly, there is a need for a more precautionary approach and a safer location away from the river is needed. Nowhere else in North America today are plants like this being built beside rivers. In addition, there has been no formal consultation with affected First Nations.
The coalition of groups and individuals opposing the proposal includes all local first nations, along with dozens of community and environmental groups. Interviews with leaders speaking up for the river, including Sto:lo First Nations representative Ernie Crey, river advocate and Outdoor Recreation Council Rivers Chair Mark Angelo, and sports fishing advocate Rod Clapton, are attached.
To date, the coalition opposing the riverside plant numbers 200,000 people, all of which are speaking up for the Fraser and are against the proposal being put forward by the local government of Chilliwack and the corporation, Aevitas Inc.
The massive public outcry, and the fact that so many groups are working in unison in support of the river, is having an impact. The Province of BC has the final say so a massive push is being planned to engage downstream communities who would be affected by any spill.
Appropriately, this issue is generating great interest in other watersheds around the world that are, or might be, faced with the threat of inappropriate industrial development.
With best wishes, Scott Denkers, WRD Communications
http://globalnews.ca/news/1816643/c...e-hazardous-waste-plant-on-fraser-river-bank/
http://www.chilliwacktimes.com/breaking_news/291102691.html
www.worldriversday.com
The attached TV and newspaper stories are 2 of many this past week focusing on what is becoming one of Canada’s highest profile environmental controversies. It centers on a proposal to place a hazardous waste treatment plant adjacent to the most productive stretch of the Fraser River, the world’s greatest salmon river. The main concern is about location of the facility, in that placing such a plant (which will handle large amounts of mercury, PCB’s and other toxic waste) on the banks of the river offers no grace in case of an accident. The risk of spillage, seepage, an accident, flood, fire, etc over time is all too real. In such a case, toxic waste would flow directly into the river.
Clearly, there is a need for a more precautionary approach and a safer location away from the river is needed. Nowhere else in North America today are plants like this being built beside rivers. In addition, there has been no formal consultation with affected First Nations.
The coalition of groups and individuals opposing the proposal includes all local first nations, along with dozens of community and environmental groups. Interviews with leaders speaking up for the river, including Sto:lo First Nations representative Ernie Crey, river advocate and Outdoor Recreation Council Rivers Chair Mark Angelo, and sports fishing advocate Rod Clapton, are attached.
To date, the coalition opposing the riverside plant numbers 200,000 people, all of which are speaking up for the Fraser and are against the proposal being put forward by the local government of Chilliwack and the corporation, Aevitas Inc.
The massive public outcry, and the fact that so many groups are working in unison in support of the river, is having an impact. The Province of BC has the final say so a massive push is being planned to engage downstream communities who would be affected by any spill.
Appropriately, this issue is generating great interest in other watersheds around the world that are, or might be, faced with the threat of inappropriate industrial development.
With best wishes, Scott Denkers, WRD Communications
http://globalnews.ca/news/1816643/c...e-hazardous-waste-plant-on-fraser-river-bank/
http://www.chilliwacktimes.com/breaking_news/291102691.html
www.worldriversday.com
