Editor:
Re: Letter to the editor from Elizabeth McNeill (Coast Reporter, May 4).
I attended the Stockwells' open house at their gravel pit and viewed the location of the proposed site. I also attended the public information meeting and spoke to the designer who answered all my questions regarding the technical details about the plant and my perceived environmental concerns.
If McNeill had attended the Stockwells' tour and information meeting, she would not have submitted her letter that is full of misinformation and assumptions.
She would have learned that the proposed site for the concrete plant is located at the very back of a 40-acre property, buffered by a forest, completely hidden from sight. Further, she would have learned that the Stockwells are planning to build a zero-discharge concrete batch plant that will recycle water and all particulates back into the plant. She would have learned that she does not need to be concerned about air or noise pollution as the plant is practically soundless and large vacuums will recycle dust back into the plant, eliminating any chance of air pollution.
The Stockwells' gravel pit is the location of this proposed plant - this is certainly not a residential area.
From what I can see, there will not be a house built on that side hill for perhaps decades. How could a soundless, dustless, hidden, high-tech concrete batch plant negatively impact tourism at the provincial park?
If the Stockwells intend to win environmental awards for this plant, perhaps this proposal will attract visitors to the Sunshine Coast to see how this zero-discharge plant operates.
Ed Tierling
East Porpoise Bay
