EVENTS AND PUBLIC ACTIONS COMING UP WITH ARESST:
- ARESST BOARD IN ACTION GEAR!
- JOIN ARESSTERS AT VIEW ROYAL DAY SATURDAY, 22 SEPT 11AM - 3PM
REPORTS ON PAST ARESST ACTIONS:
- ARESST BOARD MEETING 19 SEPTEMBER
OTHER ACTIONS:
- CANADA-US PUGET SOUND SCIENTISTS MEET, BELLINGHAM, 18-19 SEPT
- VICTORIA MAYOR'S OPEN DOOR, 21 SEPT, 9AM - 11AM, MOKA HOUSE, FAIRFIELD
- AWMA TALK: CONTAMINATED SITES: HOW MANY ARE THERE, WHERE ARE THEY AND WHAT IS BEING DONE ABOUT THEM? 25 SEPT
CRD-RELATED SEWAGE NEWS:
- LETTER: WILL NOBODY STOP THE SEWAGE PLANT (DEW-JONES)
- LETTER: CUT COSTS BY DITCHING SEWAGE PLANT (GIBSON)
- LETTER: MINISTER DEFENDS RECORD ON ENVIRONMENT, SCIENCE (KENT - sewage mention)
- CRD ISSUES SEWAGE SITE SURVEY TENDER
- ESQUIMALT DOESN'T WANT CRD SEWAGE PLANT JOINT DESIGN PANEL
- CRD BOARD MINUTES 12 SEPTEMBER - 2 SEWAGE MOTIONS (DERMAN, HUNDLEBY OPPOSING)
GENERAL SEWAGE-RELATED NEWS:
- SEWAGE AS A WEAPON OF WAR:"RESEARCHER INVENTS WEAPONS OF WASTE DESTRUCTION":
- CLIMATE SCIENTIST ANDREW WEAVER TO RUN FOR BC GREENS ("...it’s about evidence-based decision-making")
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EVENTS AND PUBLIC ACTIONS COMING UP:
ARESST BOARD IN ACTION GEAR!
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JOIN ARESSTERS AT VIEW ROYAL DAY SATURDAY, 22 SEPT 11AM - 3PM
Join ARESSTers Brian Burchill and Elizabeth Woodworth at our ARESST table at the View Royal Community Picnic,
Saturday, 22 September, 11am - 3pm, at Helmcken Centennial Park just off the Island Highway on Portage Inlet
(map: http://goo.gl/maps/aQQTi
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REPORTS ON PAST ARESST ACTIONS:
ARESST BOARD MEETING 19 SEPTEMBER
ARESST Board Meeting, 3pm, 19 September 2012, at 3909 Persimmon Drive (home of Elizabeth Woodward)
Attending Board members: John Bergbusch, Bob Furber, Don Monsour, John Newcomb, Bill Wolferstan, Elizabeth Woodward.
1. Call to order: Having confirmed that a quorum of ARESST Board members exists, Chair John Bergbusch called the meeting to order.
2. Adoption of the Agenda: Motion to adopt agenda. Approved unanimously.
3. Adoption of Minutes Motion to adopt minutes of 21 August 2012. Approved unanimously.
4. Treasurer's Report. Treasurer Bob Furber reported that current ARESST assets are $2,408.64, before including outstanding cash of $285. and outstanding expenses of $776.16 and $108.81.
Discussed other upcoming cash disbursements expected, including $300 for Black Press advert. Potential cash income from Town Hall donations. Treasurer's report accepted unanimously. Discussion ensued about how to structure the Town Hall donation effort and consensus was that admission will be free, and advertised as such, but there will be a prominent donation box at the entrance.
5, Review of Recent Campaign Activity. Petition campaign. Online petition now at 953 signatures, with about 200 on paper petition. Paper-based petitions available for download. Banners. First banner now ready, more to come. Sandwich Boards. Sandwich boards almost ready. New Brochures. Richard working on new brochures. Discussion ensued about how to get the message out quickly and effectively. JB discussed current sewage plan and consensus was to focus on current sewage plan as being a bad plan. BF stated important to focus on stopping the plan. EW emphasized that to be able to attract consistent media attention, there must be real news for media to report. EW will look into getting some bookstores to take petitions but she note that a small poster should go with the petition.
Events.
6. Motion: That the Board appoint Hon. David Anderson as Honorary Chairman of ARESST. Approved unanimously.
6. Motion: That the Board appoint Hon. David Anderson as Honorary Chairman of ARESST. Approved unanimously.
7. Motion: That the Board establish ARESST funds as a Campaign Fund and authorize the Chair and Treasurer to pay expenses as they arise. Approved unanimously.
8. Motion: That November 7, 2012 at 7:30pm is set as the date for the 2012 Annual General Meeting and that the Chair is authorized to make the necessary arrangements. Approved unanimously.
9. October 3, 7:30pm Event: Public meeting at St Ann's Academy (835 Humboldt Street Victoria, map). Review agenda for the public meeting. Board participation discussed. Consensus is to name the event as ARESST Public Meeting on Sewage Treatment..
October 3 Agenda for ARESST Public Meeting on Sewage Treatment:
1. Welcome and introductions - John Bergbusch, Chair ARESST;
David Anderson, Chris Garrett, Jack Littlepage, Vera Pospolova, Shaun Peck.
2. Power point presentation, Brian Burchill.
3. Guest speaker - Hon. David Anderson.
4. Questions and answers - moderated by John Bergbusch. Questions submitted on paper slips.
5. Request for volunteers and donations.
6. Thank you and goodnight.
Requirements: Screen, computer and projector; PA system, 2 microphones; Volunteer sheets, petition sheets, donation box, banners and brochures, Board members (arriving at 6:30pm) in campaign shirts and name tags, campaign shirts for sale. Business cards to hand out.
Don Monsour encouraged Board members to now submit sewage-related letters to Times Colonist, indirectly advertising the event.
10. Other business. Discussion of possible events after 3 October event, including possible debate. Elizabeth Woodward will do press releases.
11. Next meeting will be campaign meeting Monday, 24 September, 3pm, St John Divine.
12. Adjournment at 4:15 pm
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OTHER ACTIONS:
CANADA-US PUGET SOUND SCIENTISTS MEET, BELLINGHAM, 18-19 SEPT
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
09-17-2012
Cross-border collaboration kicks off Sept. 18-19 Science Panel meeting in Bellingham
OLYMPIA – The Puget Sound Partnership’s Science Panel will hold a two-day meeting next week at Western Washington University in Bellingham.
When
Tuesday, Sept. 18, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Wednesday, Sept. 19, 8:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.
Where
Viking Union Building, Room 565
Western Washington University, 516 High St., Bellingham
Sept. 18 will feature a first-ever symposium featuring the scientists and policymakers of the Puget Sound Partnership and their Canadian counterparts. This one-day symposium is designed to foster communication with the goal of restoration and long-term management of the Salish Sea.
For the agenda and driving directions, visit: http://www.psp.wa.gov/SP_
For information about Puget Sound Science Panel members, visit: http://www.psp.wa.gov/SP_
About the Partnership
The Puget Sound Partnership is the state agency leading the recovery of Puget Sound. The Partnership coordinates the efforts of citizens, governments, tribes, scientists and businesses to set priorities, implement a regional recovery plan and ensure accountability for results. For more information, go to www.psp.wa.gov.
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VICTORIA MAYOR'S OPEN DOOR, 21 SEPT, 9AM - 11AM, MOKA HOUSE
Friday, September 21
9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Moka House on Hillside
103-1633 Hillside Avenue
At Mayor's Open Door, citizens are given 10 minutes to discuss their issues privately with the Mayor. No appointments are made in advance as it is on a "first come, first served" basis.
Mayor's Open Door is held the first and third Friday of the month (with some exceptions). The Open Door on the first Friday is held in the Mayor's office at City Hall, and the third Friday Open Door events are "On the Road" at various locations around the community.
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ESQUIMALT DOESN'T WANT CRD SEWAGE PLANT JOINT DESIGN PANEL
Excerpt from Township of Esquimalt Council Minutes, 17 September 2012, page 10:
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AWMA TALK: CONTAMINATED SITES: HOW MANY ARE THERE, WHERE ARE THEY AND WHAT IS BEING DONE ABOUT THEM? 25 SEPT
Jessie Givner, Senior Policy Advisor,
Environmental Protection Division,
Ministry of Environment
Tuesday, September 25, 2012.
Doors open 11:40; Lunch at 12:00 sharp;
Technical Presentation: 12:30; Adjourn: 1:00
Bard and Banker Scottish Pub - Sam McGee Room,
1022 Government Street (at Fort St.), Victoria
Presentation
The current legal regime governing the management of contaminated sites in British Columbia evolved from guidelines developed in the 1980s to manage the clean-up of the former Expo 86 lands in downtown Vancouver. This presentation will provide a brief overview of the Land Remediation Section and the development of legislation governing the management of contaminated sites in British Columbia. The presentation will discuss the Land Remediation Section’s focus on high risk sites and will include a description of the process for classifying high risk contaminated sites. Finally, the presentation will outline possible future policy and legislation developments.
Jessie Givner is a Senior Policy Advisor with the British Columbia Ministry of Environment’s Land Remediation Section. She received her LL.B. from the University of Victoria and was called to the Bar of British Columbia in 2005. She has published articles in the areas of administrative and constitutional law. Her current work focuses on the development of contaminated sites legislation, policies, and procedures.
Luncheon Cost and Reservations
Please RSVP by email to Eric or Christie at AWMAinformation@gmail.com
1. B.L.T. on potato rosemary baguette - bacon, lettuce & tomato plus fries
2. Vegetarian: Housemade Veggie Burger veggie patty with crispy onion rings, tomatoes, pepperoncini, daikon sprouts and Little Qualicum's jalapeno monterey jack cheese on foccacia bun
Your email confirms your registration for the luncheon.
$15 – paid up A&WMA members (International)
$25 – non-members
$10 – students
Please pay at the door. **Cash or cheque only**
Lunch and coffee will be served at noon. Complete information at http://chapter.pnwis.org/
Looking forward to seeing you there.
Eric
Eric Taylor, Past Chair
Vancouver Island Chapter, Pacific Northwest International Section
Air & Waste Management Association
PO Box 9341, STN PROV GOVT, Victoria, BC V8W 9M1 Canada
250 356-2186 Fax 250 356-5496; Eric.Taylor@gov.bc.ca
A&WMA Luncheon Presentation: http://www.pnwis.org/Ch_VI/
Vancouver Island Chapter, Pacific Northwest International Section
Air & Waste Management Association
PO Box 9341, STN PROV GOVT, Victoria, BC V8W 9M1 Canada
250 356-2186 Fax 250 356-5496; Eric.Taylor@gov.bc.ca
A&WMA Luncheon Presentation: http://www.pnwis.org/Ch_VI/
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CRD-RELATED SEWAGE NEWS:
LETTER: WILL NOBODY STOP THE SEWAGE PLANT (DEW-JONES)
TIMES COLONIST
17 SEPTEMBER (ONLINE ONLY)
Will nobody stop the sewage plant?
In 1984 a British Royal Commission deduced that “provided they are well designed, ocean outfalls generally present fewer environmental problems than land based-treatment plants and this is obvious when the complete environmental picture is studied.”
Did any of those responsible for determining to foist such a plant on us ever read that report or any of the other references in my book, Victoria’s Sewage Circus, or absorb the significance of the first conclusion of the SETAC report, which states that despite a mass of evidence, nobody has shown that the long outfalls are doing any harm?
Can nobody stop this environmental crime, for that is what it is. It uses an act intended to protect the environment to damage it, for beyond reasonable doubt, the plant will do no good but manufacturing, transporting and installing the materials for the massive contract will do harm. The work is irreversible and the damage from health and safety risk and disposing of sludge will go on ad infinitum, not to mention the huge loss of benefit from using the money for other valid purposes.
Maybe the fact that every dollar taken from the tax payer’s pockets will go into someone else’s has something to do with it.
Ted Dew-Jones
Victoria
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LETTER: CUT COSTS BY DITCHING SEWAGE PLANT (GIBSON)
TIMES COLONIST
17 SEPTEMBER (ONLINE ONLY)
Re: “B.C. to slash spending, freeze hiring,” Sept. 14.
Finance Minister Mike de Jong’s billion-dollar budget shortfall could be hugely reduced if the government would simply withdraw its funding for Victoria’s sewage-treatment plant.
Why our politicians (at all levels) continue to push this mega project when virtually the entire scientific community says it is not needed is beyond me. These professional politicians (who are being paid well to supposedly look after our best interests) are instead forcing us to take on an enormous debt for no good reason.
Of course, when in a few years our taxes go through the roof to pay for their folly, it won’t bother them, because they will be retired with gold-plated pensions that will cover the extra thousand bucks a year in property taxes (or rent) while those of us on fixed incomes will find ourselves worse off than ever.
Will no one stand up for common sense and put a stop to this completely irresponsible waste of our tax dollars?
Graydon Gibson
Victoria
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LETTER: MINISTER DEFENDS RECORD ON ENVIRONMENT, SCIENCE (KENT - sewage mention)
Peter Kent
Times Colonist
September 19, 2012
Re: "Tories continue the war on science, environment," Sept. 12.
Our government has an exceptional record on climate change mitigation, on science-based policy development, research investment and stewardship of Canada's environment.
Whether our sector-by-sector regulation of greenhouse-gas emissions (we're just over halfway to our 2020 Copenhagen reduction target), the recently announced national wastewater management regulations, or the doubling of protected natural spaces under Parks Canada, our record is clear for those who wish to take note.
Over the past five years, our government has provided nearly $8 billion in new investments in Canadian scientific talent, world-class research excellence and linkages between knowledge and innovation in the global economy.
In the past year alone, our government provided more than $11 billion in investments in support of science and technology.
These investments are leading to jobs, economic growth and long-term prosperity for Canadians.
On the matter of arctic ozone monitoring, Environment Canada maintains world leadership in the science.
Andrew Weaver incorrectly states that our government "shut down" the Polar Environment Atmospheric Research Laboratory (PEARL).
In fact, where the previous Liberal government did mothball PEARL, Environment Canada continues to fund and maintain the facility, awaiting researchers who might again win funding through the grant competition administered by the independent National Centres of Excellence competition.
We did provide written support last year for a funding application; unfortunately, the research proposal was not successful.
Peter Kent
Minister of the Environment Ottawa
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CRD ISSUES SEWAGE SITE SURVEY TENDER
Times Colonist
September 20, 2012
The Capital Regional District is moving forward with sewage treatment plans by tendering a site survey for McLoughlin Point in Esquimalt. The tender closes Sept. 28. The work comes as the CRD begins the planning and implementation of its wastewater treatment program and includes setting up a program management office and a commission to oversee the project.
In late August, the CRD agreed to spend $6 million to get the program started. The overall program has an estimated cost of $783 million to cover the expense of the treatment plant, a biosolids facility and piping system improvements.
Greater Victoria's sewage currently passes through a screen and is then piped into Juan de Fuca Strait.
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SEWAGE AS A WEAPON OF WAR:"RESEARCHER INVENTS WEAPONS OF WASTE DESTRUCTION":
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CLIMATE SCIENTIST ANDREW WEAVER TO RUN FOR BC GREENS (...it’s about evidence-based decision-making")
Climate scientist Andrew Weaver to run for B.C. Greens in Oak Bay-Gordon Head
SARAH PETRESCU
TIMES COLONIST
SEPTEMBER 20, 2012 9:50 AM
The Green Party of B.C. has landed what it expects to be the first of several high-profile candidates in the upcoming provincial election, and he’s a local.
Andrew Weaver is most famous as a climate scientist. In 2007, he shared the Nobel Peace Prize alongside Al Gore and fellow members of an Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. The University of Victoria professor is considered one of the leading, and most-outspoken, experts on global warming.
He was also born and raised in Victoria, went to high school in Oak Bay and graduated from UVic. He lives in Gordon Head with his family. This morning, Weaver announced he’s jumping in the political ring and will run for the Green Party in Oak Bay Gordon Head in 2013.
“I’ve been following what’s happening in B.C. and I’m concerned about an NDP landslide - that the environment will fall to the wayside,” Weaver said Thursday morning. “But it’s not just about the environment -- it’s about evidence-based decision-making. I’ve spent 25 years informing policy as a scientist and now I’m hoping to help shape it.”
Weaver said he was inspired to join politics in part by Elizabeth May, Saanich-Gulf Islands member of Parliament and the leader of the Green Party of Canada.
“I could see how one person could make a difference,” he said. “I’ve never been a member of a political party in my life until last week when I joined the Green Party of B.C. My strongest asset is I’m not here to make a career out of politics, I’m here to make a difference.”
In a press release, Green Party of B.C. Leader Jane Sterk said: “I expect Andrew to be the first of a number of high-profile B.C. Green candidates... Greens want intelligent, thoughtful, passionate people who will stand up for their constituents and for change. Quite frankly, I think his candidacy is a game-changer for the 2013 election.”
The Oak Bay-Gordon Head riding is held by B.C. Liberal Ida Chong, who was named aboriginal relations minister in a recent cabinet shuffle. Education advocate Jessica Van der Veen will run for the B.C. New Democratic Party.
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CRD BOARD MINUTES 12 SEPTEMBER - 2 SEWAGE MOTIONS (DERMAN, HUNDLEBY OPPOSING)
5.1 CORE AREA LIQUID WASTE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE – August 22, 2012
1. Six-Month Budget Summary and Approval to Establish Program Management Office
MOVED by Director Blackwell, SECONDED by Director Brice,
That the six-month budget for the Core Area Wastewater Treatment Program be approved.
CARRIED
Derman, Hundleby OPPOSED
3. Program Management Consulting Services Work Program and Fees
MOVED by Director Blackwell, SECONDED by Director Brice,
That an increase of $3,360,125 to Stantec Consulting’s existing contract be approved.
CARRIED
Derman, Hundleby OPPOSED
http://www.crd.bc.ca/minutes/capitalregionaldistr_/2012_/index.htm
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END.
