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Stop The Quarry / Save the North Mountain Event a Great Success !!
On a hot and humid evening in late June, close to 80 people gathered in a church hall in Wolfville, to learn first-hand about the basalt mega-quarry issue that residents of Digby Neck have been fighting against for four years. Should this project be allowed to 'take root' on the Neck, the results could be devastating for the people and the environment of the area, and could set a dangerous precedent for the creation of a similar quarry along the North Mountain. Our local MLA, Minister of Resources David Morse, was invited to the event but was unable to attend.
The evening's program began with a presentation by Digby Neck resident Don Mullin, who made a detailed critique of the recently-released Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) which was written by the company that wants to build the quarry. Don's presentation was followed by a question and answer session with the audience, led by a four-member panel of Digby Neck residents. The evenings' proceedings was interspersed with topical songs by the Wolfville Raging Grannies and the Blue Tartan Singers from Digby Neck.
The public was encouraged to write to the manager of the joint panel review process, Ms. Debra Myles, expressing their opinion on the EIS and their opposition to the proposed quarry. The public has until August 4th to submit their letters to the joint review panel. If you want to write to the joint panel review expressing your oposition to the proposed quarry, the address is:
Debra Myles, Panel Manager
White’s Point Quarry & Marine Terminal Project-Joint Review Panel
c/o Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
160 Elgin Street, Ottawa, ON, K1A 0H3
Fax: 613-957-0941
e-mail: Debra.Myles@ceaa-acee.gc.ca
At the end of the evening, a 'hat' was passed, and about $375 was collected to assist the STQ group in hiring the lawyers and scientists they need in their on-going struggle to preserve their community and quality of life. All in all, the event was a great success, raising awareness of the issue among local residents at this end of the valley, and lending support and encouragement to the courageous residents of Digby Neck who are fighting to oppose the quarry.
- Jimmy James's blog
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Our Environmental Regulations Are Culpable
I learned from this presentation that the sort of coastal basalt mining operation proposed for Digby Neck would not be allowed in the United States. How can this be? I urge each and every one who reads this to become better informed about environmental regulations in Nova Scotia. Read the Environment Act. Write to our minister of Environment and Labour, Mark Parent. Our environmental legislation, regulation and enforcement must be carefully examined and brought before the court of public opinion. This is extremely urgent, because any agreements made under our existing flawed environmental regulations will be honoured by the North American Free Trade Agreement.
It is a time wasting political ruse to have us read a three thousand page environmental assessment (paid for by the proponent of the quarry). The assessment is a moot point.
This kind of operation would not even be considered for assessment in the United States. We must change our environmental regulations now. Not just for the sake of the good people of Digby Neck, but for all Nova Scotians. Regulations that favour multinational corporations over ordinary citizens are not good for democracy. No politician from any party would be irresponsible enough to let our current environmental legislation and regulations stand as they are.
This is the REAL ISSUE: Change Nova Scotia's environmental legislation and regulations.
The buck stops with Mark Parent...
http://www.gov.ns.ca/enla/cci/
David Morse...
http://www.gov.ns.ca/natr/businessplan/default.htm
and the law... http://www.gov.ns.ca/legislature/legc/
Inform yourself.
Take control of your future. Write your letters. Change the law. Do it NOW.
Bulls-eye, Kimberly !!
Kim:
I could not agree with you more -- everything you say is right on the mark. The NS Environment Act was written to lend tacit support to the creation of quarries and mines all around the province. The Environment Act is notable for its absence of an overarching conceptual framework, instead prefering an ad hoc approach to the selling of our natural resources. This is simply unacceptable.
Jimmy James