SCCA comments on Federal Burnco Mine review
"The SCCA remains unconvinced that the proposed aggregate mine, especially with unpredictable climate change, will have an insignificant effect on the fish and fresh water and marine fish habitat values in the McNab Creek watershed. We remain opposed to this project."
Click here to read our full submission on the proposed 30-hectare pit Burnco gravel mine.
These comments are our response to the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency's Comprehensive Study Report.
- Last Updated: Wednesday, 31 January 2018 00:49
Save Howe Sound - AGAIN!
UPDATE JANUARY 2018:
The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency is extending their invitations of public comments until January 26, 2018 on the Comprehensive Study Report. Please follow the link and submit your comments. Our SCCA team is working on our final submission to the CEAA and will post it here soon.
You can read the comments we submitted in November 2017 on the Draft Provincial Referral Materials here.
Burnco Rock Products of Calgary propose a large scale gravel mine at McNab Creek, in the middle of Howe Sound. A 30-hectare pit, onsite crusher producing 20 million tonnes of aggregate over 16 years. The project will create 12 direct operational jobs.
In the summer of 2016, a public comment period indicated widespread opposition to this heavy industrial development in the natural estuary flourishing with marine life. You can read Burnco's responses to the 3590 issues raised by the public here. The SCCA was awarded participant funding from the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency (CEAA), which enabled our committee to put together a submission compiled from concerns raised by our members and the community at large. It is founded on local and professional knowledge of the McNab watershed and its surrounding environment. You can read our submission here from October 2016.
The BC Environmental Assessment Office (BCEAO) and the CEAA are in the process of “writing their technical assessment report taking into consideration all of the information along with mitigations in the form of legally binding conditions.” Another 30 day public comment period to review the conclusions will be held prior to the report being sent to the Ministers responsible for decision. You can find more information on the Burnco EAO process here.
The Future of Howe Sound Society has been championing the efforts to inform the public and challenge the development. Their website has exceptionally comprehensive information about the history of the proposed mine, the ecological and biodiversity values of the area, and the concerns of how this project impacts residents, quality of life, and the recover of Howe Sound. Check out these pages to get informed on the issue:
BURNCO McNab Proposal Background
BURNCO Gravel Mine Environmental Assessment resumes
Want to help? Sign the Future of Howe Sound Society's petition to call for protection of the McNab Estuary here.
- Last Updated: Friday, 19 January 2018 22:33
Sechelt Oceans Day June 10th!
To celebrate World Oceans Day, we're pleased to be joining forces with the District of Sechelt to present the first annual Sechelt Oceans Day!
12 - 4 pm
Saturday, June 10th,
Friendship Park & Trail Bay Waterfront
You're invited to enjoy an afternoon of FREE family fun featuring ocean-themed activities and games at Friendship Park and the downtown Trail Bay waterfront. Pick up your Oceans Day Passport at our info booth, and gain stamps at each activity for your chance to win great prizes, like a free kayak rental from Alpha Adventures!
SCHEDULE:
12 pm: Welcome from Mayor Bruce Milne & Councillor Noel Muller
12:15: Talaysay' Oceans Day Spoken Treasures Tour
Featuring Candace Campo, shishalh Nation Cultural Ambassador, of
Talaysay Tours. Tickets are $15, and spaces are limited to 20.
Register here.
1 pm: Shoreline Stewards Cleanup.
Join us for a Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup along the Sechelt
waterfront - click here to sign up.
2 pm: Friends of Forage Fish - Want to know what a forage fish is?
Want to know what the volunteer project is about? Join us for a
sampling demonstration to see for yourself!
2 - 4 pm: Make Art Not Waste - community art project!
Join the visionary eco-artists of deer crossing the art farm society to
upcycle & transform marine debris collected in shoreline cleanups
into beautiful Eco-Art!
3 pm: iNaturalist - become a Citizen Scientist with this free app!
Hands-on intro to how you can contribute to world knowledge of
biodiversity while learning about local species. Take pictures, and
scientific experts identify it for you!
10 am - 3 pm: Alpha Adventures Paddle Demo for Oceans Day!
Your chance to try out kayaking, and different kayak models,
for FREE! Join Alpha Adventure staff at Porpoise Bay Provincial
Park. Spaces are limited - click here to register.
3:30 - 4 pm: KNOTTY DOTTERS Marimba Band!
4 pm: Prize Draw! Show us your Oceans Day passport stamps & get
tickets for a chance to win.
Also featuring information and games from the: BC Cetacean Sighting Network, Friends of Forage Fish, Eco-Freako, Nicholas Sonntag Marine Education Society, SC Salmonid Enhancement Society, Sunshine Coast Wildlife Project, The Jellyfish Project, Tours of Exploration, Pacific Wild, SC Conservation Association, and the District of Sechelt.
Prizes include: Animal Encounter for Two at the Vancouver Aquarium, Alpha Adventures Kayak Rental, Northern Divine Smoked Sturgeon, Painting by Sheila Page, Pastimes Salmon Card Game, Sechelt Fish Market $50 Gift Card, SC Conservation Association & Jellyfish Project T-shirts, Eco-Freako products, ReDécor whales, Marine Life of PNW Book from Tours of Exploration, All For Pets Gift Basket, Great Bear Wild book from Pacific Wild, Basted Baker $25 Gift Card, Family membership at the Gibsons Public Market, Wandering Wonders ice cream treats, reusable bags from Claytons, Salmon boards from the District of Sechelt, and more!
Please visit and share our Facebook page.
- Last Updated: Friday, 09 June 2017 04:13
FLNRO and SCRD get a letter from West Coast Environmental Law about illegal infrastructure expansion proposal at Chapman Lake
On November 17th, West Coast Environmental Law sent a letter to the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations (FLNRO):
"...the water works proposed by the SCRD, which would occur within the Tetrahedron Provincial Park, would be illegal and cannot be legally authorized through a Park Use Permit under the Park Act."
- Last Updated: Friday, 16 December 2016 23:27