Pontoon plan criticized

By Judie Steeves - Kelowna Capital News

Published: November 13, 2008 10:00 PM
Updated: November 13, 2008 11:06 PM

It’ll be a pretty bad Christmas present for local residents if plans go ahead to dispose of the pontoons from the old Okanagan Lake floating bridge by sinking them to the bottom of the lake, according to the Canadian EarthCare Society.

Founder Lloyd Manchester said dumping the pontoons into the lake could disturb sediments that have been there for thousands of years, and could include such materials as arsenic.

Those sediments would then circulate in the water column and could enter domestic water intakes around the lake, he said.

He warned that there’s always the possibility of seeking a court injunction to stop the pontoons from being sunk as currently planned before the end of the year, if SNC-Lavalin gets the OK to proceed.

However, EarthCare has written to the B.C. Environmental Assessment Office to request that the plan become a “reviewable” project, a process that can take as long as a year and include a number of studies.

The process would be triggered if the area involved in the “shoreline modification project” was larger than two hectares. He said the 12 pontoons will take up an area of 2.4 hectares on the lake bottom, so that should trigger the EAO process. In fact, he believes it should trigger a joint assessment by the federal and provincial governments because it affects a navigable waterway.

Manchester said instead of going through that process, the company should just recycle the concrete, estimated at 100,000 tonnes.

In fact, it can be crushed and used for a road base, or even to make concrete, he suggested.

A Seattle stadium was built recently using concrete made from the crushed concrete from the old one, he noted.

Manchester sits on a public advisory committee of interested parties to the Environmental Assessment Office, and he was involved when the act was developed.

That committee has asked for more information on whether this disposal proposal is reviewable.

He commented: “If the public can’t take concrete to the landfill, why should this be allowed?”

It’s not a good example, he added.

As well, he says there have been inadequate studies of the impact of simply dropping very heavy chunks of concrete into the lake.

Ministry of environment spokeswoman Kate Thompson said the ministry is still reviewing data on the application to dump them into the lake.

As well, she said the EAO is looking at the application to determine if it will trigger the more-in-depth process. She didn’t think a report on it would be completed this week.

Kelowna Elects a New Council

Kelowna elected a new City Council on Saturday November 15. EarthCare published responses to questions on the environment from the majority of elected councillors. (see below on this page) Two councillors that did not respond to our survey were Brian Given and Andre Blanleil. EarthCare encourages you to write, email and phone these two councillors for their opinions on the environment. Please advise EarthCare should you get any responses from them.

Andre Blanleil can be contacted at 862-0592
or e-mailed at: ablanleil@andres1.com

Brian Given can be contacted at 979-1313
or e-mailed at: bgiven@kelowna.ca

Graeme James can be contacted at gvg@shaw.ca

EarthCare asks B.C. Environmental Assessment Office
to declare sinking Okanagan Lake Bridge
reviewable under the B.C. Assessment Act.

On November 11, 2008, Lloyd Manchester wrote to Mr. Garry Alexander,
Project Assessment Director, Shoreline Modification Projects, BC Environmental Assessment Office to request that Okanagan lake Bridge Floating Bridge become a reviewable project.

Dear Gary,

I am writing you to request that the EAO deem the sinking of Okanagan Lake Floating Bridge as reviewable under the regulations. In the interests of brevity, EarthCare supports this documentation as a rationale (footprint is over 2 hectares) to have the sinking of the bridge made reviewable under the Act.

EarthCare is concerned with the environmental impacts of sinking the bridge and sincerely hopes that you share them and ensure that this project will not cause harm to the public that use Okanagan Lake as a drinking water source.

I look forward to your early response to our request.

Environmentally yours,

Lloyd Manchester

Related documents:

Letter to G. Alexander (.doc)
Changes to impact areas (.xls)
Talisman Reclamation Plan (pdf)
Letter requesting exemption (pdf)

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION NOTICE

 

Application for Approval Under the Provisions of the Environmental Management Act.
Okanagan Lake Concession Limited Partnership the "Concessionaire" and Her Majesty the Queen in Right of the Province of British Columbia; as represented by the Minister of Transportation, submit this application to the Director for approval to authorize the disposal of the concrete pontoons and piers from Okanagan Lake Bridge into Okanagan lake.

The disposal is proposed to occur at the following locations:
* Twelve Pontoons - sunk in the section of the lake between Traders Cove and Wilson's Landing in greater that 150m depth of water.
* Two Piers - sunk in the section of lake between Gellatly and Trepanier in greater than 150m depth of water.

The approximate quantity of concrete for the pontoons and piers is 11,000 cubic meters.
Prior to sinking, the pontoons and piers will be carefully cleaned and all deleterious materials and potential contaminants will be removed in accordance with all regulatory requirements.

Any person who may be adversely affected by the proposed disposal and wishes to provide relevant information may, within 30 days after the last date of posting, publishing, service or display, send written comments to the address below, with a copy to the Regional Manager, Environmental Protection, at 102 Industrial Place, Penticton, B.C., V2A-7C8. The identity of any respondents and the contents of anything submitted in relation to this application will become part of the public record.

WRB Bridge Environmental Protection Notice
#300 - 1358 St. Paul Street
Kelowna, B.C. V1Y2E1

Letters of concern should be sent to the Regional Manager, Environmental Protection,
at 102 Industrial Place, Penticton, B.C., V2A-7C8. You can also email Dale Bonke at dale.bonke@gov.bc.ca Please cc your emails to info@earthcares.org

Also you can read a column by:
Richard Drinnan, M.Sc., Guest Columnist – Kelowna Daily Courier, October 26, 2008.

Rational For Not Sinking The Bridge
Feel free to include any of these point in your email to the province

Re: Sinking Old Okanagan Lake Bride into Okanagan Lake

Plans to sink the old Okanagan Lake Bridge into Okanagan Lake should not proceed for a number of important technical reasons.

1. Approving the sinking of the old bridge provides a significant cost savings benefit and a quick and easy disposal option for the contractor, SNC Lavalin, without providing the necessary public due diligence required to protect the human uses of lake water.

2. In March 2005, the Federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) completed the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency’s initial project screening review of the new bridge project. The scope of the DFO review was limited to issues involving fish and wildlife values. It did not consider the direct and indirect impacts on human health resulting from disturbing sediments on the lake bottom caused by sinking the old bridge pontoons and piers.

3. The old pontoons and piers will have a sizeable impact footprint on the lake bottom. This footprint was increased by 60% to 11,000 m2 in the March 9, 2008 reclamation plan update prepared by Talisman Land Resource Consultants Inc. and presented to DFO and BCMOE. No technical reports have been posted on the Canadian Environmental Assessment (CEA) Registry to estimate the amount and extent of sediment redistribution that will occur when the pontoons and piers sink to the bottom of the lake.

4. Okanagan Lake water is used for drinking water supplies, agricultural irrigation and fish habitat in both Canada and the United States. No technical reports have been posted on the CEA Registry to address the potential for local and international impacts resulting from redistributing sediments from the lake bottom.

5. The March 2005 DFO screening review did not solicit public input on plans to sink old bridge pontoons and piers in the lake. This oversight limited public involvement in the review and failed to address potential impacts disturbed sediments could have on water quality and water users.

6. There have been no technical reports posted on the CEA Registry that specifically estimate the public costs to mitigate social, economic and environmental impacts to Okanagan residents that could result from the sinking the old bridge.

7. There have been no technical reports posted on the CEA Registry that compare the sinking of the old bridge into Okanagan Lake with other decommissioning options. The sinking of the pontoons and piers has not been justified and cannot be supported as a matter of public convenience and necessity.

8. DFO has approved the sinking of the bridge for its own self-interest to gain compensation and to provide 1,100m2 of new or upgraded fish habitat in the Okanagan Lake basin.

9. DFO’s mandate and expertise to address public health issues is limited. The involvement of other local, provincial and federal agencies is required in a new screening review to demonstrate that the sinking of the bridge is a matter of public convenience and necessity; that it does not pose public health risks; and that it is in the long-term interests of the Canadian public.

For these reasons, the DFO approval and authorization to sink the old bridge in Okanagan Lake should be rescinded and plans to sink the old bridge delayed until it can be objectively demonstrated to be in the best interests of all water users in the Okanagan Basin.

Pontoon Article in Kelowna Daily Courier

Pontoon options sought
J.P. SQUIRE
2008-06-25

Regional district directors are searching for alternatives to dumping the 12 pontoons and two piers from the old floating bridge into Okanagan Lake.

They will ask SNC Lavalin and the Ministry of Transportation for a copy of the environmental study on plans to sink the concrete pontoons and the two semi-floating liftspan piers.

Read more here: http://www.kelownadailycourier.ca/top_story.php?id=118204&type=Local

EarthCare quizzes local municipal candidates on the Environment

Canadian Earthcare is seeking input from candidates on the following questions:

1. Are you in favour of sinking Okanagan Lake Bridge into Okanagan Lake? If so why and if not why?

2. If you are elected, would you support amending the current pesticide bylaw to not allow commercial pesticide applicators to spray cosmetic pesticides in the City of Kelowna? When the bylaw comes into force in 2009 homeowners will not be allowed to spray cosmetic pesticides within City limits.

3. On October 24, 2007, in a memo to the City Manager, the City planning department made recommendations regarding the OCP Growth Strategy for the South Pandosy Sector (Mission area). They included withholding support for any development until there has been public input into the Official Community Plan, withholding support for development variance permit applications or rezoning applications that result in height beyond four stories for commercial and residential and six stories for apartment/hotels and eight stories for the Lakeshore/Watt site.

Currently development applications for the Mission area have come before the Advisory planning commission such as the Mission group's Aqua project proposing variance of the height to accommodate three high rise towers. Other development applications in the area include Manteo, Hiawatha trailer park, Gyro Beach Resort (all seeking height variances) and a current project being built by MKS on Trusswell Road.

If elected, what is your position on the proposed developments in the Mission area? What course of action to you propose to deal with the height issues as well as the capacity and transportation issues?


4. What is your vision on helping Kelowna become a sustainable City?

5. Okanagan Lake is the major source of drinking water for the North, Central and South Okanagan populations. What steps would you take to ensure that water quality is protected and enhanced? As well, what is your opinion on how effective the Okanagan Basin Water Board has been on protecting Okanagan Lake.

Voter info can be obtained at http://www.kelowna.ca/CM/Page161.aspx Candidate information can be obtained at http://www.kelowna.ca/CM/Page954.aspx

Help prevent CANADA'S GREATEST CONSERVATION OPPORTUNITY from being lost!

PLEASE take 5 MINUTES to WRITE and PHONE for a new SOUTH OKANAGAN -
SILMILKAMEEN NATIONAL PARK

Right now the BC and federal governments are undertaking a
joint feasibility study to look at the possibility of
creating a new national park reserve in the desert,
grasslands, and Ponderosa pine forests of the South Okanagan
and Similkameen Valleys in southern BC. To be located near
the towns of Osoyoos, Oliver, and Keremeos, this proposal is
currently Canada's greatest conservation opportunity. A
decision on whether the park will go ahead is expected to
occur late this year or in 2009.

Read more here.

LIBERAL GOVERNMENT BANS URANIUM MINING IN PROVINCE

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION NOTICE

EarthCare is extremely pleased that the government of B.C. has put a ban in place that controls the exploration and mining of Uranium and Thorium in the province. This may provide certainty for the mining industry but more importantly it establishes a precedent that protects the health and safety of all British Columbian's. Please send a letter in our 'Take Action Section' thanking the province for doing this.

NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
2008EMPR0029-000624

April 24, 2008

Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources

GOVERNMENT CONFIRMS POSITION ON URANIUM DEVELOPMENT

VICTORIA - The Province will not support the exploration and development of uranium in British Columbia and is establishing a "no registration reserve" under the Mineral Tenure Act for uranium and thorium, Minister of State for Mining Kevin Krueger announced today.

"By confirming our position on these radioactive minerals, we are providing certainty and clarity to the mining industry," said Krueger.
" B.C. is an attractive place for mining exploration and investment, and we are committed to fostering a healthy, productive industry."

The "no registration reserve" will ensure any future claims do not include the rights to uranium. Government will also ensure that all
uranium deposits will remain undeveloped. These changes support the BC Energy Plan commitment of no nuclear power.

Uranium is present in many areas of the province and can be encountered while exploring for other mineral resources. Therefore, the Province will also amend the Health, Safety and Reclamation Code concerning exploration for minerals where uranium or thorium are incidentally encountered. The amendments are designed to enhance the protection of workers and the public during exploration-related activities. The amendments also ensure that B.C.'s standards for exploration are consistent with national standards and guidelines.

Today, there is no uranium mining in the province. Development and mining of uranium in Canada is regulated by the federal government
through the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission. The only uranium mines operating in Canada are in Saskatchewan.

-30-

Media
contact:

Jake Jacobs
Public Affairs Officer
Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources
250 952-0628
250 213-6934 (cell)

For more information on government services or to subscribe to the Province's news feeds using RSS, visit the Province's website at www.gov.bc.ca.

Rainbarrels are a great way to conserve water

Spring Water Conservation Products Now Available

ZEBA

Zeba is a biodegradable, non-toxic, odourless, corn starch based super-absorbant product that promotes healthy lawns, landscapes and houseplants with less watering.

For more details and sale information follow the link.

Read more ...

Pesticide Free Organic Lawn Care Company comes to Kelowna

March 15 deadline
to register for the Pesticide Registry
Do your Health a Favour, Protect Your Family and your Pets, Sign up now!

TO REGISTER please phone (250) 469-8556 or email enviro@kelowna.ca. You must provide your name, phone number and address, including your postal code. You must specify whether you want previous-day or same-day notification. As well, you must state the reasons for your concern about pesticides near you.
More Important Info...

---

ALSO, come in to Earthcare and receive a free "Pesticide Free" sign and stake for your lawn, and a free "Earth-Friendly Natural Recipes" carabiner keychain when you sign up for the pesticide registry.

Click here for the registration criteria

Deadline for comments
to City Council:
Deadline for public comments extended to November 26 at 4pm

The City of Kelowna is seeking input on the recommendations of City Staff on a pesticide reduction program which includes the implementation of a pesticide bylaw.

Your input is needed now. Please respond to the recommendations directly. For example: I support recommendation Number 1
(which recommends a bylaw)

To view the recommendations click on this link
pesticide reduction strategy.

Written comments should be sent to City Clerk's at cityclerk@kelowna.ca before 4 p.m. October 15th.

Please feel free to call or meet with City Councillors. Their phone numbers are:

Barrie Clark 764-7062

Brian Given 979-1313

Carol Gran 861-7837

Colin Day 861-0695

Michelle Rule 762-3749

Andre Blanleil 862-5092

Norm Letnick 864-2260

Robert Hobson 469-6224

Mayor Sharon Shepherd 469-8980

Pesticide Bylaw

Kelowna City Council deferred making a decision on implementing Pesticide Bylaw and education program at their meeting of July 9th.

Your help is still needed to keep the pressure on to implement a Pesticide Bylaw.

You can still download and send our sample letter to the Mayor and Council or you can e mail it to: mayorandcouncil@kelowna.ca.

Medical Doctor rebutt's the Pesticide Industry. Please click here to view...

Thank you for your support on this issue.

The Interim Evaluation Report of Toronto's Pesticide Bylaw has been submitted to the Board of Health.

The summary report is available online at http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2007/hl/bgrd/backgroundfile-1671.pdf

The larger technical report is available at http://www.toronto.ca/health/pesticides/city_reports.htm

LOCAL COMMUNITIES HELP SHAPE
NATIONAL PARK PROPOSAL

The Parks Canada national park reserve feasibility study is now about half way towards the completion of a park proposal in late 2007. Over the past several months, First Nations, stakeholders, and local communities have been providing input to an emerging vision for a potential national park reserve – what we (Parks Canada) are calling a draft park concept.

This handout provides an overview of what we have heard, how this input will be used, and the next steps in the study – building a park proposal. Fall 2006

To view the pdf click here.

Also available E-News January 2007 in pdf.

Click for Feasibility Study (July 2007)

Community Program helps Earthcare

Don't leave home without it. By using this card when you make purchases at Huskey / Mohawk stations you can help raise money for Earthcare.

Contact the office to participate in this program which so far has raised $250.00 for our programs.

Opening up parks for commercial resorts

Why should the public subsidize developers by allowing them access to public park lands on which to build their commercial enterprises?
At best, it’s simply unnecessary, and at worst, I can envision this government permitting hot dog stands and souvenir stalls in our wilderness parks next.
read more...

EarthCare joins Campaign for B.C. Parks

Visit the Friends of the Campaign for BC Parks
website to read fact sheet and sign petition

Pesticide Bylaw

Encourage Council to adopt a pesticide by-law in our community that would ban the use of cosmetic pesticides such as 2,4-D.
read more...

HOW SAFE IS YOUR DEODORANT/ANTIPERSPIRANT?

All anti-perspirants and some deodorants contain aluminum. Aluminum clogs your pores and is the element that keeps you from sweating. Inhibiting a natural process by which you release toxins from your body is essentially unhealthy. As well, aluminum is absorbed and accumulated in the body, and has been linked to serious illnesses including osteoporosis, extreme nervousness, anemia, headache, decreased liver and kidney function, forgetfulness, speech disturbances and memory loss.
read more...

Solutions to make your lawn healthy and how to use native plants to reduce water consumption

Uranium mining in the Okanagan Valley

Update: Coalition Organized to Oppose Uranium Mining in British Columbia
EarthCare has joined the Uranium-Free BC Mining Coalition.
Read the Press Release Here.

Update: Boss Gold International (BOG.H) now controls the Blizzard Uranium Deposit
For details of this announcement, click here.

We will be updating our site on this issue as time permits. In the meantime, we encourage you to write letters to the government requesting that Uranium mining not be allowed in British Columbia and that a moritorium be enacted. Read More....

City of Kelowna Considers Enacting Pesticide Bylaw

Katimavik Volunteers

Katimavik volunteers Karen Ka-Yan Cheung from Burnaby (left) and Jennifer Brooks from Mackenzie B.C. take in the sites of Kelowna from Knox mountain. Jennifer is working with EarthCare while in Kelowna