Open Houses are being held in Gibsons (Oct. 1) and West Vancouver (Oct. 2) to gather public response on the Burnco Aggregates Project proposed for McNab Creek.
Burnco Aggregates is proposing a sand and gravel mine in the McNab Creek estuary (just northeast of Port Mellon). This watershed has significant fisheries and wildife values as well as intertidal and subtidal habitat for various species. A large pit will be created to a proposed depth of 35 meters (110′) that will become water filled as the pit progresses. Several small streams draining along the shore area also have salmon populations and may be impacted by stock piles of material etc.
This watershed has seen heavy logging activity which is still ongoing, as well as the potential development of an independent run of river hydro project immediately to the north of the proposed gravel mine. As can be seen by the data on our fish returns, severe reductions in the stocks has been occurring in the last 50 years, particularly since the mid 1980s.
If you are concerned about the well being of our wild fisheries and the recent return of whales, dolphins and other marine life to Howes Sound please take the time to attend and express your concern. The Gibsons Open House is at Cedars Inn, 895 Gibsons Way, on Tues. October 1 from 4 to 7:30 pm. The West Vancouver event will be at Glenn Eagles Community Centre (gym), 6262 Marine Drive on Wed. October 2 from 5:30 to 8:30 pm.
Links:
Information on the Burnco Environmental Assessment is also available at Gibsons and District Public Library, Bowen Island Public Library, West Vancouver Library, and Squamish Public Library.
Comments can be sent by mail to: Gerry Hamblin, Project Assessment Manager, Environmental Assessment Office, PO. Box 9426 Stn Prov Govt, Victoria BC V8W 9V1