Opinion Do you Want a Gravel Pit at McNab Creek?

Do you Want a Gravel Pit at McNab Creek?

Monday, 19 December 2011 09:02 Written by cheryl wozny

Are Lions Bay residents aware of the new proposal for a large scale gravel mining and crushing operation in the Howe Sound? Lions Bay Community News publishes many articles related to the Howe Sound. The Howe Sound is our front yard and we are very concerned about all aspects of the spectacular nature surrounding us.

Burnco Rock Products Ltd. of Calgary, Alberta has applied for a “large scale gravel mining and crushing facility” to be located along the Northwest part of Howe Sound at McNab Creek, including a 77 hectare pit mined to a depth of 55 metres, 45 metres below the water table. The development would also include a crushing plant and loading dock to accommodate large, heavy barge traffic.

The proposal is in the final stages of review by the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency (CEAA).

The deadline for input with the CEAA is February 3, 2012. Please complete the form found at this link. Make your opinion heard! This form is sponsored by The Future of Howe Sound Society. Please note you may adjust the text on the form to suit your opinion.

Further information about the project proposalcan be viewed on the BC Environmental Assessment Officeʼs site: at http:// tinyurl.com/3a5te6f.

We encourage you to review this proposal and decide if you would like it to proceed. Numerous communities and organizations have formed the Future of Howe Sound Society in response to protecting and preserving the Howe Sound. The aim of the Society is to protect the future of Howe Sound through the development of a comprehensive and holistic land and water use plan. http://future.ofhowesound.org/

As noted by the Future of Howe Sound Society: “The Howe Sound is only now recovering from the environmental damage and pollution caused by past mining and other industrial activities. To now allow new industrial projects in the Sound without a comprehensive land use plan would be short sighted and tragic. Our Howe Sound water resources lacks stewardship and requires a long term integrated land and water use plan.

The impact of this proposed industrial activity is staggering and goes far beyond only the salmon habitat that they are studying. Public participation is necessary to ensure that any review conducted through the CEAA examines the overall impact on marine life, residents and users of Howe Sound.”

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Sounds like a good project
written by Lovemcnab , April 20, 2012
I actually took the time to read the project description posted on the CEAA website and consider the project to be fundamentally sound. The end result will be a freshwater lake near the ocean! BURNCO is going to great lengths to shield the operation from view and if anyone has seen or listened to the loader in trail bay it's barely audible. Gravel is a necessary commodity and needs to be mined close to the source in order for us to build our infrastructure efficiently and cost effectively. Marine transport of material is far superior to trucks on the road and the lights don't have to shine over the water when they're not loading barges. One barge a day isn't adding much traffic at all to the waterways and McNab is certainly a lot closer to than the existing burnco source on the north end of Vancouver island. Personally I would rather see a family owned candian business that gives you a phone number to call if you've got concerns rather than a huge multinational corporation with no accountability propose this project.
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written by jan , February 01, 2012
Sorry Swifter, I guess you don't like fresh crab for dinner, or watching the pink salmon jump, or fishing for fresh salmon, the spawning of salmon in the creeks, or going for a swim in the water.
I guess you want to listen to the machines crushing rocks to 10 hours a day (to start), and listen to the converyer belt dump the gravel into the barges, and have the evening stars being turned out by the industrial lamps.
An open pit mine is not a choice for Howe Sound.
Howe Sound is for all (humans and animals) to enjoy the beauty, tranquility, both under the water and above.
As for the "flippers", municipalities around BC have controls on development to stop "messing of property"
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written by John Dudley , January 31, 2012
When I first visited Howe Sound on a freighter in 1961 the waters and the air were similar to London in the 50's with polluted waters and air that stung your eyes plus a stench from the pulp mills that permeated every part of the Sound. Nobody mentioned the environment in those days and smiled and said it was the smell of money.
Since then the Britannia mine, the pulp mill at Woodfibre, the FMC chemical plant have all closed and the fish and birds are returning to the Sound in greater numbers.It probably won't be too long until the pulp mill at Port Mellon closes.
We have a unique and spectacular wilderness area within half an hour's drive of one of the world's most desirable cities and have a responsibility to protect it for future generations. If a wealthy country like Canada can't show show the world that we really care about the environment and are prepared to clean up the mess we have made who can?
In London the Thames is now a river where the the fish have returned and the air is cleaner. Don't lets squander our chance to do our part.
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Not another eyesore, and environmental toll
written by Brigitta , January 30, 2012
I just heard about this, and think it's awful! We are finally turning a corner in getting Howe Sound waters' in good shape after the damage from the Britania mine and the pollutants from the Squamish mill. The return of wildlife is bringing back recreational boaters and cottage lovers to enjoy the great outdoors within an hour from Vancouver. Howe Sound is a gem and should be preserved at all costs. Take your mine to a place that doesn't affect so many people and fragile ecosystems.
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Keep to your side of the sound
written by swifter , January 29, 2012
Why don't you people worry what's happening on your side of the Sound and not ours! Have you ever been to Mc Nab or really looked at the plans? When you go in and out of that place for a lot of years as I have,and seen what a mess the property "flippers" have left it in, a mine isn't a bad idea
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