Dear Editor:
Port Metro Vancouver hasn't tried really hard to tell us about it, but they want to expand shipments of low-grade, dusty American coal through Fraser Surrey Docks for sale to Asian markets. I thought you might want to know this, because, after all, coal dust is bad for our health or our air quality, and we should have a say in the Port Authority's plans where they affect our health and environment.
Doesn't the Port Authority have a way, you might ask, of dealing with the dust produced from moving this dirty fossil fuel around? Well, yes, but there is a problem with that, too. You see, they need to soak the coal with chemicals to stabilize it and keep it from blowing away. There will be wastewater from this process, and of course the leftover wastewater has to be disposed of. Where?
Into our regional sewer system, that's where. But, there is no guarantee that our sewer system can remove the coal and heavy metals, among other possible pollutants, from the wastewater before it goes into our Fraser River. I doubt the salmon that call the Fraser their home will appreciate the damage to their habitat.
So the port wants to solve one problem (theirs) by causing another problem for the rest of us. Not very helpful, is it? But that is where we can step in.
Metro Vancouver (our regional government, not the Port Authority) operates our sewer system, and the port needs a wastewater permit from our regional government for the coal port expansion project to proceed. And Metro has for the first time opened the wastewater permit process to allow citizens to comment on the port's application. You can post your comments online at the region's website before April 9. A unique opportunity for active citizenship.
The equation is simple: the more of us who express our concern to Metro Vancouver for our health and safety, our concern for harm to already-vulnerable fish habitat, the more reluctant they will be to issue a wastewater permit to the Port Authority. And with no permit, there is no coal port expansion. We can stop this bad idea before we regret it. We have until April 9 - it's up to us!
Here is the link to the Fraser Surrey Docks Permit Application webpage, with an online comment form below:
Scott Van Denham
