Showing posts with label Langley Township drinking water. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Langley Township drinking water. Show all posts
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Open Forum - Langley Municipality
An Open Forum will be held on Saturday, April 18th at the Murrayville Hall near 5 Corners on Old Yale Rd near 216th.
Gravel or Drinking Water
Local resident Bill Mozel gives a concise account of the history of the struggle between the local residents and those elected officials who have been in control of the proposed gravel removal project.
Provincial Government Decision Looms
Provincial Government Decision Looms
For Opening Brown Road Pit
Our Langley neighborhood awaits the decision by the Provincial Government on plans to re-open and expand Brown Road Pit for 1,000,000 plus cubic metres of gravel for the Gateway Project, right in our own backyards. There are approximately 55 private water wells within 450 meters of the planned gravel mine. This plan has probably been in the works for years, but our neighborhood only became aware of the proposal early last summer through activity on the property and an article in our local newspaper. Our neighborhood has been working diligently for many months to stop the proposed gravel mine and save our drinking water.
In the Provincial Legislature on March 24 & 25, 2009; MLA & Opposition Environmental Critic, Shane Simpson asked the Minister of Environment, Barry Penner; "Will he commit today that he will not approve of gravel extraction from Brown's Pit and will protect the integrity of the community's drinking water". Minister Penner's reply was:"I'll be pleased to investigate this matter and take the question of notice". Upon further pursuing this environmental issue regarding the sensitive Hopington aquifer and that we do not have a Plan B for drinking water; Mr. Simpson then directed questioning to the Minister of Transport who is behind this proposal, asking him to do the right thing & withdraw this proposal around the Brown's Pit gravel and say to our community that he will find his gravel somewhere else, not jeopardize our water source and back off his proposal. Again, Minister Penner's reply was:"As I've already indicated, I'll look into this matter. Since the member has not seen fit to bring it to my attention before today, I will endeavour to investigate this matter".
Obviously, Minister Penner does not acknowledge receiving the following regarding Brown Road Pit & our Hopington aquifer:
1) January 16,2009: Bill & Elizabeth Mozell delivered in person to Minister Penner's constituency office in Chilliwack, a 27 page petition with cover letter.
(The same item also delivered to Minister Falcon & Minister Coleman )
2) January 30,2009: Karren Winther & her husband, Nick Constantino e-mailed Mr.Penner on this matter.
3) February 10,2009: Dr. B. Moats sent a letter to Mr. Penner on this issue.
4) March 12,2009: Karren Winther & Nick Constantino, again mailed an extensive information package to Mr. Penner on this issue.
What did we all receive from our Minister of Environment? "NO REPLY".
To the Minister of Environment, the Honourable Barry Penner and his government's plans for expansion and re-opening of Brown's Road Pit; the matter is plain & simple; this is an 'ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUE'. For the minister to deny (and that is stating it mildly) any knowledge or refuse to respond in the legislature to this serious environmental matter is an insult to the people of our community and the Province of B.C.
We have not heard a whisper from Mr. Penner to this day and I find his lack of interest, input or comments to be unacceptable for a Minister of Environment. Perhaps, he is restricted by an internal government 'gag order' or his ministry is under the direction & control of the Minister of Transportation.
Members of our neighborhood delegation met with our MLA, R.Coleman on Dec 10, 2008; NO REPLY. The petition and cover letter delivered Jan 19,2009;
NO REPLY. Finally, on Feb 16, 2009 an ambiguous letter & local newspaper announcement that no gravel will be extracted if there is risk to the aquifer.
Our neighborhood delegation met with MoT, Minister Falcon, Deputy Minister K. Blasetti & G.Dawson (Project Director-Gateway Project) on March 6,2009.
We were all made aware that Mr. Falcon's decision on gravel mining from Brown Road Pit will be based on "FACTS" from a hydrogeological assessment by EBA Engineering Consultants Ltd.; the governments firm of choice. Mr. Falcon also made it very clear that the residents of West Vancouver went to Provincial Court over a project that affected trees and wildlife. He stated that the provincial government won that case.
Minister Falcon; we are not dealing with trees or wildlife. We are trying to protect our drinking water, private wells and the fragile Hopington Aquifer.
Last year, September 22, 2008, EBA Consulting sent a report to the MoT with the results of a desk-top study and a site visit to document potential surface and groundwater issues associated with the property on Brown Road. From this report; quote: "The above-referenced 'Map of Groundwater Vulnerability' identifies that the Hopington Aquifer underlies the Property area. The Hopington Aquifer is considerd by B.C. Ministry of Environment (MoE) to have "very high" rating with respect to its vulnerability for being contaminated from surface sources.
Without having started the project and removing 1 shovel full of gravel; Mr.Falcon's facts will be based on the data from 5 (MoT) monitoring wells:
a) present level of water table
b) present quality of water
c) present direction of water flow
It is difficult to imagine that Mr. Falcon will base his decision on these facts before a hole approximately 800'x500'x(50'-100'deep) is even started.
Minister Falcon, you will inevitably contaminate our drinking water, ruin our private wells, damage the sensitive Hopington aquifer and destroy the neighborhood we cherish & enjoy so much.
To Premier Campbell, Minister Falcon, Minister Coleman and Minister Penner;
Your decision should be based on only 2 of the 4 choices:
YOUR GRAVEL OR OUR WATER
DOLLARS & CENTS OR COMMON SENSE
W.N. (Bill) Mozell
Township of Langley
Our Langley neighborhood awaits the decision by the Provincial Government on plans to re-open and expand Brown Road Pit for 1,000,000 plus cubic metres of gravel for the Gateway Project, right in our own backyards. There are approximately 55 private water wells within 450 meters of the planned gravel mine. This plan has probably been in the works for years, but our neighborhood only became aware of the proposal early last summer through activity on the property and an article in our local newspaper. Our neighborhood has been working diligently for many months to stop the proposed gravel mine and save our drinking water.
In the Provincial Legislature on March 24 & 25, 2009; MLA & Opposition Environmental Critic, Shane Simpson asked the Minister of Environment, Barry Penner; "Will he commit today that he will not approve of gravel extraction from Brown's Pit and will protect the integrity of the community's drinking water". Minister Penner's reply was:"I'll be pleased to investigate this matter and take the question of notice". Upon further pursuing this environmental issue regarding the sensitive Hopington aquifer and that we do not have a Plan B for drinking water; Mr. Simpson then directed questioning to the Minister of Transport who is behind this proposal, asking him to do the right thing & withdraw this proposal around the Brown's Pit gravel and say to our community that he will find his gravel somewhere else, not jeopardize our water source and back off his proposal. Again, Minister Penner's reply was:"As I've already indicated, I'll look into this matter. Since the member has not seen fit to bring it to my attention before today, I will endeavour to investigate this matter".
Obviously, Minister Penner does not acknowledge receiving the following regarding Brown Road Pit & our Hopington aquifer:
1) January 16,2009: Bill & Elizabeth Mozell delivered in person to Minister Penner's constituency office in Chilliwack, a 27 page petition with cover letter.
(The same item also delivered to Minister Falcon & Minister Coleman )
2) January 30,2009: Karren Winther & her husband, Nick Constantino e-mailed Mr.Penner on this matter.
3) February 10,2009: Dr. B. Moats sent a letter to Mr. Penner on this issue.
4) March 12,2009: Karren Winther & Nick Constantino, again mailed an extensive information package to Mr. Penner on this issue.
What did we all receive from our Minister of Environment? "NO REPLY".
To the Minister of Environment, the Honourable Barry Penner and his government's plans for expansion and re-opening of Brown's Road Pit; the matter is plain & simple; this is an 'ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUE'. For the minister to deny (and that is stating it mildly) any knowledge or refuse to respond in the legislature to this serious environmental matter is an insult to the people of our community and the Province of B.C.
We have not heard a whisper from Mr. Penner to this day and I find his lack of interest, input or comments to be unacceptable for a Minister of Environment. Perhaps, he is restricted by an internal government 'gag order' or his ministry is under the direction & control of the Minister of Transportation.
Members of our neighborhood delegation met with our MLA, R.Coleman on Dec 10, 2008; NO REPLY. The petition and cover letter delivered Jan 19,2009;
NO REPLY. Finally, on Feb 16, 2009 an ambiguous letter & local newspaper announcement that no gravel will be extracted if there is risk to the aquifer.
Our neighborhood delegation met with MoT, Minister Falcon, Deputy Minister K. Blasetti & G.Dawson (Project Director-Gateway Project) on March 6,2009.
We were all made aware that Mr. Falcon's decision on gravel mining from Brown Road Pit will be based on "FACTS" from a hydrogeological assessment by EBA Engineering Consultants Ltd.; the governments firm of choice. Mr. Falcon also made it very clear that the residents of West Vancouver went to Provincial Court over a project that affected trees and wildlife. He stated that the provincial government won that case.
Minister Falcon; we are not dealing with trees or wildlife. We are trying to protect our drinking water, private wells and the fragile Hopington Aquifer.
Last year, September 22, 2008, EBA Consulting sent a report to the MoT with the results of a desk-top study and a site visit to document potential surface and groundwater issues associated with the property on Brown Road. From this report; quote: "The above-referenced 'Map of Groundwater Vulnerability' identifies that the Hopington Aquifer underlies the Property area. The Hopington Aquifer is considerd by B.C. Ministry of Environment (MoE) to have "very high" rating with respect to its vulnerability for being contaminated from surface sources.
Without having started the project and removing 1 shovel full of gravel; Mr.Falcon's facts will be based on the data from 5 (MoT) monitoring wells:
a) present level of water table
b) present quality of water
c) present direction of water flow
It is difficult to imagine that Mr. Falcon will base his decision on these facts before a hole approximately 800'x500'x(50'-100'deep) is even started.
Minister Falcon, you will inevitably contaminate our drinking water, ruin our private wells, damage the sensitive Hopington aquifer and destroy the neighborhood we cherish & enjoy so much.
To Premier Campbell, Minister Falcon, Minister Coleman and Minister Penner;
Your decision should be based on only 2 of the 4 choices:
YOUR GRAVEL OR OUR WATER
DOLLARS & CENTS OR COMMON SENSE
W.N. (Bill) Mozell
Township of Langley
Saturday, March 28, 2009
The Plans to Reopen Brown's Pit Must Stop Now!
Karren Winther, another neighbour lists her reasons for opposing the reopening of Brown's Pit, which lies over the Hopington Aquifer.
Located at 240th street and 68th avenue in Langley
Beneath it lies the already overpumped and fragile Hopington Aquifer which supplies drinking water to well over 3000 homes – studies completed as early as last year which this government participated in classify it as one of the three most fragile aquifers in the province
This ex gravel pit was mined up until, and then closed in 1963 – 11 years later the area developed - wells were drilled and homes built. More recently legislation to prevent open pit gravel mining in the municipality was put into place.
Now, 46 years later this B.C. government wants to reopen this mine, enlarge it and extract gravel from this sensitive area – literally in our backyard
We were here first – this is not acceptable!!!
At risk is the quality and quantity of drinking water to thousands of people
We know gravel pits are bad (as quoted from a Fraser Health employee)
Case studies show that the result of ground vibrations from extracting and filling results in increased levels of arsenic in drinking water and phospherus levels in fish bearing creeks (the Salmon River and Couglan Creek surround this area)
Furthermore the water table is dropping at an alarming rate now – and plans to extract over one million (1,000,000) cubic metres of gravel (the largest pit Langley has ever had application for!!) will result in a hole 400 feet by 700 feet by 50 to 100 feet deep.
There are no other options for water here - the Township of Langley has assured us there is no hope of having city/municipal water in this area for at least 10 – 15 years.
There are many other sources for gravel – Heidleberg, Mainland Sand and Gravel, Valley Sand & Gravel and Lafarge to mention only a few. Gravel can be barged down the river directly from the Sumas pit at a fraction (1/20th) of the cost as mining and transporting it by truck.
Contact Number 604-530-6106 or
www.hopingtonaquifer
Located at 240th street and 68th avenue in Langley
Beneath it lies the already overpumped and fragile Hopington Aquifer which supplies drinking water to well over 3000 homes – studies completed as early as last year which this government participated in classify it as one of the three most fragile aquifers in the province
This ex gravel pit was mined up until, and then closed in 1963 – 11 years later the area developed - wells were drilled and homes built. More recently legislation to prevent open pit gravel mining in the municipality was put into place.
Now, 46 years later this B.C. government wants to reopen this mine, enlarge it and extract gravel from this sensitive area – literally in our backyard
We were here first – this is not acceptable!!!
At risk is the quality and quantity of drinking water to thousands of people
We know gravel pits are bad (as quoted from a Fraser Health employee)
Case studies show that the result of ground vibrations from extracting and filling results in increased levels of arsenic in drinking water and phospherus levels in fish bearing creeks (the Salmon River and Couglan Creek surround this area)
Furthermore the water table is dropping at an alarming rate now – and plans to extract over one million (1,000,000) cubic metres of gravel (the largest pit Langley has ever had application for!!) will result in a hole 400 feet by 700 feet by 50 to 100 feet deep.
There are no other options for water here - the Township of Langley has assured us there is no hope of having city/municipal water in this area for at least 10 – 15 years.
There are many other sources for gravel – Heidleberg, Mainland Sand and Gravel, Valley Sand & Gravel and Lafarge to mention only a few. Gravel can be barged down the river directly from the Sumas pit at a fraction (1/20th) of the cost as mining and transporting it by truck.
Contact Number 604-530-6106 or
www.hopingtonaquifer
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