Editor:
Burnco’s application for a permit to mine, process and ship aggregate at McNab Creek in Howe Sound should be denied.
The application fails to provide reasonable assurance that Burnco’s operation will not cause serious environmental, heritage, health, social and economic damage.
The applicant implies that the history of more than 100 years of industrial abuse to the land, water, air and wildlife in Howe Sound is an important historical precedent and therefore is justification for further industrial activity. This is a specious argument, of course, and it is very disturbing that the applicant feels justified in advancing it. Burnco refers to historical precedent in its forced, second choice of a riskier shipping route through narrow Thornborough Channel, past the Elphinstone youth camp and across the Langdale ferry routes. Its first choice for a shipping route, safer and shorter, but in view from the Sea to Sky Highway, attracted strong public opposition.
Burnco has not addressed adequately some very important environmental effects: for example, how will it avoid, negate or mitigate the risk from sediment from the operation to the rare glass sponge reefs in Howe Sound?
The application fails to substantiate Burnco’s statements that the 14 or so full-time equivalent jobs at the mine site will provide significant economic benefits to the local economy. Its production over 20 years will supply less than one year’s aggregate needs of the Lower Mainland, and Burnco admits that it has other sources, and will use them.
Burnco will abandon the site after 20 years, leaving a polluted, water-filled quarry.
Like many residents of the Sunshine Coast and the Lower Mainland, I consider super, natural Howe Sound important and worthy of protection. An unnecessary aggregate mine and processing plant at its heart is pointless.
D. Townson, Gibsons
