Vision
Leadership
Experience
October 2, 2012 HONOURABLE TERRY LAKE Ministry of Environment Attention: Honourable Minister Lake Dear Minister Lake, Re: Contaminated Soils Thank you for meeting with representatives of the Cowichan Valley Regional District ("CVRD") on September 25, 2012 to again discuss the issue of contaminated soils regulation. The CVRD appreciates the direction you have given to Ministry staff to work collaboratively on this important file. The CVRD recognizes the significant challenges associated with regulating contaminated soils and we remain committed to working with the Province to address issues of mutual interest and concern, however, we and people living in the CVRD are growing impatient. It is becoming increasingly important that we be able to demonstrate to our residents that we are having some success in this collaborative approach. It has been almost five months since we met on May 8, 2012 to discuss concerns about the relocation and deposition of contaminated soils in the CVRD. On September 25, 2012 you agreed to have staff follow up on the status of three provincial commitments emanating from our May 8, 2012 meeting: 1. The testing of the eleven or twelve unlicensed sites where soils have been and continue to be deposited to determine the soils' content and any potential impacts on the environment. We would appreciate Ministry staff responding to these issues as soon as possible. The CVRD Board and people in the Cowichan Valley are becoming more and more concerned and frustrated about contaminated soil. Recent Provincial approval authorizing the relocation of There is a strong desire on the part of the CVRD and local communities to be directly involved in regulating where contaminated soils are deposited in order to protect drinking water and sensitive environments. While we work together to explore legislative and regulatory ideas it would be extremely helpful if you were to push the pause button to prevent anymore contaminated soil deposition and facilities in the CVRD at this time. Thank you for your consideration and we look forward to hearing from you on these important matters.
Sincerely, W.J/sc pc
|
NEWS RELEASE
October 2, 2012
For Immediate Release
COMMUNITY GROWING IMPATIENT OVER CONTAMINATED SOILS
CVRD Board Chair Rob Hutchins is asking the provincial Minister of Environment to offer some measureable progress in resolving Cowichan Valley concerns over the deposition of contaminated soils. Chair Hutchins made the request in a letter after a meeting last week in Victoria with Minister Terry Lake during which a CVRD delegation asked for action on a list of items put to the government last May. “It is becoming increasingly important that we demonstrate to our residents that we are having some success in this collaborative approach,” Hutchins said. He stressed that the CVRD appreciates the direction the Minister has given to ministry staff to work on this important file.
“Recent Provincial approval authorizing the relocation of 1450 truckloads of soil from Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt to the Cowichan Valley is not sitting well with the community,” Hutchins said. “The ongoing procession of trucks loaded with soil of undetermined origin travelling over the Malahat to dump in the Cowichan Valley is becoming more alarming for residents in the Shawnigan area."
Chief Harvey Alphonse stated, “Cowichan Tribes wants to be very clear that in our territory, we do not accept the inappropriate moving into and/or treatment of contaminated soils. The soils from CFB Esquimalt are being moved to a site directly adjacent to the Koksilah River and Kelvin Creek. It is also adjacent to Cowichan Tribes reserve land and within a few hundred metres of several individual and community wells that provide drinking water to our members. The livelihoods of our members are intimately tied to the health of the Koksilah and Cowichan Rivers.”
“This is not the first time that it has come to our attention that contaminated, or even hazardous, materials have been received in our territory. We would like to work together with the Cowichan Valley Regional District and the Ministry of Environment to come to some resolution on this important issue,” added Chief Alphonse.
The outstanding items from the May meeting that Hutchins is asking to see tangible progress on include:
1. The testing of the eleven or twelve unlicensed sites where soils have been and continue to be deposited to determine the content of the soils and any potential impacts on the environment
2. Random “spot checks” on trucks coming over the Malahat with loads of soil destined to be deposited in the Cowichan Valley to determine the content of the soils and destination.
3. The monitoring of Shawnigan Creek to determine if the creek is being adversely affected by adjacent industrial activities.
“We would appreciate Ministry staff responding to these issues as soon as possible," Hutchins said. "The CVRD Board and people in the Cowichan Valley are becoming more and more concerned and frustrated about contaminated soils entering our valley."
For Further Information, Contact:
Tom Anderson, General Manager, Planning & Development
Tel: 250.746.2601