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Hey Miners! Leave Clayoquot Alone!
Will the Chemical Suit shown here soon replace the
familiar orange whale watching suits on tourists and residents in Tofino?
And
how will we fit them on all the eagles, herons, bears, whales, otters,
salmon, crabs, sea urchin, star fish, halibut and all the other birds, fish and
animals who live here?
Stop
Exploratory Drilling for Copper in Clayoquot Sound!
Vancouver-based Selkirk Metals Corporation has applied to the BC Ministry of
Mines for a permit to do exploratory drilling for copper on Catface Mountain
in Clayoquot Sound.
The potential
mine
would remove the top third of Catface Mountain. It would be located in the middle
of the Clayoquot Sound UNESCO Biosphere Reserve with the potential to leach toxic
chemicals into groundwater and streams, but on the other hand it will create
a beautiful industrial view for Tofino.
Exploratory drilling will be damaging, it would involve re-building/building
roads to bring in drill rigs - and once that machinery is brought in do you think
the mining company wants to remove it? or do they leave it there ready for when
the real mining kicks in?, and drill holes could leach toxic levels of heavy
metals and chemicals into groundwater and surrounding salmon streams - just one
more thing that Tofino can be proud of - we let a mining company come into a
UN Biosphere Reserve and leach heavy metals and chemicals into the streams and
groundwater. Way to go Tofino! That's where I want to spend my tourism dollars
- in a wilderness biosphere that is polluted.
What You Can Do!
It's simple - governments listen to
you if you show up in numbers. And all you have to do is send a postcard, a letter,
fax, email or phone call. Be short and to the point. Use the addresses listed
below or complete this online form and send it to all the email adresses below.
Why You Should Help. If we have to tell
you... but anyway
Tofinoites - because
you live here and it's on your watch. Are you going to let down one of the most
beautiful places in the world, the place that gives you peace and joy, the home
you love, the wilderness that brings you big bucks?
Visitors -
because Clayoquot Sound needs you and you are the paying customers who tourism
dollars can drive politicians, business owners and residents to do the right
thing. Sometimes being too close is a blinder and we need your perspective to
help us see the light.
Natives - just
because the official Ahousaht First Nation has entered into a MOU with
the mining company don't think that your voice will not be heard. We all have
representatives that do things we disagree with and TTN can't imagine that it's
in your best interest to tear away Catface for a bit of copper. How do you explain
that to future generations saying, 'at the time we got money for it and a few
jobs and today you kids get toxic waste, leaching chemicals, and a landscape
forever changed - sorry about that'.
You may alter any of the text below to suit your concerns. The text given
is only a guideline.
No one but the above politicians receive your
message. It is between you and them. True Tofino is making this form available
for you: we receive a copy
of your email or extract any informaiton from it.
Of course, You can always send us your thoughts, we welcome them! ohyeah@truetofinonews.com
Send your message another way
I do not want any mining or exploratory drilling on Catface Mountain in Clayoquot
Sound. I insist that Selkirk Metals application for exploratory drilling be
denied. Please reply and inform me how you are dealing with Selkirks drilling
application for Catface.
Write to:
Premier Gordon Campbell, PO Box 9041, Stn Prov Govt, Victoria, BC, V8W 9E1 premier@gov.bc.ca
Tel:
250-387-1715 Fax:
250-387-0087
Barry Penner, Minister of Environment, PO Box 9047, Stn Prov Govt, Victoria,
BC, V8W 9E2
env.minister@gov.bc.ca Tel:
250-387-1187 Fax:
250-387-1356
Richard Neufeld, Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, PO Box 9060,
Stn Prov Govt, Victoria, BC, V8W 9E3 empr.minister@gov.bc.ca Tel:
250-387-5896 Fax:
250-356-2965
Kevin Krueger, Minister of State for Mining, PO Box 9070, Stn Prov Govt, Victoria,
BC, V8W 9E2
smin.minister@gov.bc.ca Tel:
250-953-4100 Fax:
250-387-1803
Mining in Clayoquot - Not a Bad Dream
When
Copper Mines used up and abandoned and still pollute - Who Pays For Clean
Up - You Do!
Province announces cleanup of abandoned open pit copper mine in Courtenay, BC
The B.C. government says an abandoned open pit copper mine in Courtenay will
be cleaned up to support the recovery of Vancouver Island fish stocks. The Mount
Washington mine operated for three years in the 1960s before it was abandoned.
By the 1980s, toxic copper leaching from the site had virtually eliminated the
salmon, trout and steelhead resource in the Tsolum River watershed.
The Tsolum River on Vancouver Island provided rich runs of coho, pink, chum
and cutthroat salmon and steelhead trout for thousands of years. The river was
rich in invertebrate life, free from silt.
... In 1964, Mt. Washington Copper moved into the upper watershed
and built an open pit mine. It went into receivership in 1966, leaving
unreclaimed pits and waste rock piles where pyrite ores lay exposed to water
and oxygen. This ore, with a high content of sulfur, quickly formed sulfuric
acid by coming
in contact with oxygen and water. A copper leachate formed
and reached the Tsolum River and from there, the Courtenay Estuary. By
1985, the River was as good as dead.
Attempts to deal with the disaster, including piling all the waste rock in
one pile and mixing it with lime, have not worked.
The copper has destroyed the fishery which used to generate $2 million per
year. It has been estimated that the cost to residents and taxpayers so far of
this environmental disaster is over $60 million.
The solution is to research and monitor water flowing from the mine to determine
all the sources of contamination, to pipe the leachate from these sources to
a water treatment plant, and to monitor and treat the problem in perpetuity.
Despite pressure from citizens groups, this has not yet happened. The estimate
to build the treatment plant is $6 million.
(from Saving the Tsolum River,by Father Charles A.E. Brandt, and Acid Mine
Drainage, by the Environmental Mining Council of British Columbia)
Wilderness
Committee predicts massive fight over plans for copper mine in Clayoquot Sound
“I could scarcely think of a more environmentally damaging project than
an open pit copper mine smack in the middle of the Clayoquot Sound Biosphere
Reserve. If the Selkirk Metals actually believes this open pit mine project will
ever see the light of day – then I think they must have rocks in their
head,” said Foy “Opposition to this project will be local, national,
global and massive,” he predicted.
Environmentalists
Vow to Fight Copper Mine in Clayoquot Sound
If mining takes place, plans include the development of a new port for container
ships, several giant open pit mines, new dams and lakes to contain the most toxic
waste products, kilometers of conveyor belts that can emit toxic dust, diesel
generator power stations, and roads - all visible from the town of Tofino and
from Ahousaht.
Some
of the World’s Richest Marine Life Threatened by Copper Mining
Copper mines similar to that proposed at Catface have horrible environmental
records. The Copper Mines at Butte Montana, for example, are the site of the
largest and most expensive toxic waste cleanup in United States history, and
cancer rates are off the charts.
The copper mine at nearby Mt. Washington, BC wiped out all five species of salmon
in the Tsolum River.
Logging in Clayoquot Sound
This information about Clayoquot Sound logging was sent to us by a reader.
Thank you very much for keeping us informed about what goes on in the depths
of Clayoquot Sound. If devastating logging happens in Clayoquot Sound but no
one's there to see it, is it really happening?
This is "Ecotrust" logging.....this
is "highgrading" old growth
cedar forests of Clayoquot Sound, this is FSC "certified". These
forests will never exist again and these ancient trees are falling
here daily. Logging is taking place by Ecotrust, Triumph Logging
out of Campbell River and Coulson out of Port Alberni. Their plans are
to log what is profitable this year, be into pristine areas next year and
then into parks, (Megin and Moyeha, etc.). Watershed management logging plans
for these areas of Clayoquot are all going ahead now. These cedars are also
what won the Meares Island court case in proving "continual use" through
culturally modified trees, the story is in the cedars.
Please
visit our sponsor for this article - Mila, Makin and Rankin Coves, Clayoquot
Sound
Challenge to All Media
Citizens, shops and restaurants are doing their part in public awareness of
the dangers of fish farms. They have done their homework and realized that fish
farms are not sustainable, healthy for or kind to Clayoquot Sound
and have stopped eating, selling or serving farmed fish. TTN has done research
and we believe that these people, shops and restaurants are correct in their
assessment.
Our
challenge to all Tofino and Ucluelet media - it's time
that you stepped up to the plate and declared your allegience. If you believe
in fish farms, keep on taking their advertising dollars and putting ads front
and center on your pages.
If you do not believe in fish farms refuse to take
their blood money and do not run their ads. And don't talk to us about censorship
- media censors advertisers all the time.
So, Westcoaster, Tofino Time and The Westerly - what do you say?
Naturally Raised Canadian Chinook Salmon
Really!?
Have you seen the latest online ads from a farmed fish company? Yup, it's
official, farmed fish is - 'Naturally Raised Canadian Chinook (King) Salmon',
"From the cold, clean waters of Clayoquot Sound', 'Within the Traditional Territory
of Tla-O-Qui-Aht First Nations', '100% Natural diets', 'No growth hormones. Zero
antibiotics in the fish you eat'.
If it wasn't so sad that many people believe they are doing the right thing
eating these 'natural' salmon, it would be downright funny the way these people
spin the language.
Natural does not equal Wild. 100% Natural diets.
We all know
that natural really doesn't mean much in defining food. Just because something
is natural doesn't mean it's healthy or good for the environment. There is no
official definition for natural foods, they can be processed and they can contain
artifical colouring
Cold, clean waters of Clayoquot Sound
The waters of Clayoquot Sound ain't so clean if you're a wild salmon or a shell
fish. These Clayoquot Sound waters are dangerous for them and will get more so
with fish farm pollutants and fish farm escapees and the sea lice on fish farm
fish. They are cold but don't be deceived, they're not clean.
Within the Traditional Territory of Tla-O-Qui-Aht First Nations
Well, it's really sad that in return for jobs, the fish farm gets to say this
- in our opinion of course.
Zero antibiotics in the fish you eat
What doesn that mean - in the fish you eat?
Calling Moses Martin!
Re: Letter to the Editor - The Westerly News published Thursday August 2,
2007
Interesting letter. Praising the fish farming industry and using native-speak
to make us believe that your opinion is one of protection for the ocean. Let's
take a look at some of the statements in your letter:
"...are few companies in this community that are as generous and as community-minded..."
That's the way industry works. To ingratiate themselves in a community,
industry worms it's way into community BBQ's, sponsorship of sports teams and
other events. The industry hopes that people won't look past
these cheap tricks at what the industry is really doing to the
community. It's the way business has operated for many years and old habits die
hard especially if they work. Fortunately most citizens here are able to see
past the smoke and mirrors.
"...people who are not paid to be environmentalists...are
open-minded...aren't too lazy.."
We guess you've never looked at the paycheque of a professional environmentalist.
After years of education and practical experience, gathering an immense amount
of knowledge, most people who work as environmentalists could make way more money
being on the other side. You know what I'm saying right?
ps - No one at TTN is
paid - neither are we close-minded or lazy, although we do consider ourselves
neat, but that's another story.
"...for example, ask yourself, how long can we expect wild stock to exist
if we try to meet the market demand and expectation created by the availability
of year-round fresh farmed salmon?..."
Did you ever stop to ask yourself why are we attempting something
that is not sustainable. We cannot meet the greedy market of fresh salmon and
so why are we so full of greed as to ruin our wild salmon stock by attempting
to? I was under the impression that First Nations believed in taking from what
nature offers for subsistence not to rob the earth of her resources so the market
demand can be met.
"...how many restaurants in Tofino carry _________ __________
[farmed] salmon?..."
Are you saying those restaurant owners who don't serve farmed salmon are close-minded
and lazy? We find them intelligent and open-minded; people who have read the
facts and made conscious decisions based on sustainable business practices; people
who are concerned with the health of the environment. And, we applaud Trilogy
Fish Market for vocalizing their belief in what is right. If more of us took
an interest and spoke up on where we stand maybe we could put an end this destructive
industry. Join us. We'll all work together to
get FN people jobs in a sustainable industry and we'll all work together to make
this community a healthy coastal region where community BBQ's and sports events
are contributed to and enjoyed by everyone.
"...far from proven that closed containment
tanks...can alleviate the main environmental concerns of sea lice, disease and
escapes..."
Gee any one of those three dangers are reason enough that fish farming should
not be allowed. If closed container doesn't address those issues then to heck
with the industry. Why should an industry be allowed to pollute our ocean, and
kill our wild salmon stocks, not to mention something about prawn stocks? We
should treat our wild ocean neighbours with the respect they deserve. If salmon
goes up in price so what, no one has to eat salmon, let them pay big bucks in
downtown wherever. We here at TTN like to drink good wine and we save up
for that. Why should salmon be a cheap fix?
"...in closing I want to be perfectly clear..."
And let us be perfectly clear. If we believed that __________ ___________
farms were not destroying our wild stock or environment we would not be writing
this article. If we were __________ ___________ we would certainly feel
guilt and shame putting this fish farm industry in beautiful, natural
Clayoquot Sound where, in God's, Buddha's, Mohammad's, and all the pagans, Druids,
and Wiccan goddesses and gods names, the salmon should be wild and free of such
outlandish disrespect.
"Moses Martin, Tofino"
A simple moniker. We thought people may be interested in knowing a bit more about
you and how to contact you. You may contact Mr Martin at Creative Salmon where
he is on staff.
Creative Salmon Ltd.
Tla-o-qui-aht First Nations Liaison
Moses Martin
moses.martin@creativesalmon.com
Mr Martin has also signed the Declaration in support of sustainable BC salmon
farming found on, where else - The
Farmed, Fresh and Healthy website.
Check out the sleazy use of a Jacques Costeau quote on this page. Here's another
one of his they forgot to twist - 'Farming as we do it is hunting, and in the
sea we act like barbarians.' Or this one 'If we go on the way we have, the fault
is our greed and if we are not willing to change, we will disappear from the
face of the globe, to be replaced by the insect.' Or finally...
People protect what they love.
Jacques Costeau
So Moses, if you don't mind we'd rather hear from Joe Martin.
Voluntary Ban on Plastic Bags
What the heck is that - a voluntary ban? Congratulations Tofino council for
using doublespeak at it's finest on such an important issue. That really shows
leadership. We realize that some council members are as ashamed as we are, that
perhaps one sold out and that others may simply think that industry will enforce
itself - like that time, no, but that other time, no. Hello???
We are being watched by the country and the world and this is what we come
up with?
What an embarrassment.
Tofino's plastic bag ban lacks teeth to enforce, Globe & Mail - 17 May 2007
Bye Bye BC Open Net Fish Farming?
Hope springs from the darndest places - a government report
-can you believe it?
The BC Committee recommends that:
1.1 A rapid, phased transition
to ocean-based closed containment begin immediately. Within three years
ocean-based closed containment must be developed. Once developed,
industry must transition to this technology within the subsequent two years.
1.2 To meet the initial three year deadline, the provincial
government, in partnership with the federal
government and the salmon aquaculture industry, must urgently finance
and conduct a full commercial-scale ocean-based closed containment project.
1.3 The provincial government should develop and provide incentives
to the aquaculture industry to
facilitate the transition to ocean-based closed containment technology.
Get ready for a barrage of spin from media and fish farms.
Oh the jobs that fish farms provide... Oh that NDP-dominated committee... The
industry could never survive closed containment... BC will not be able to stay
competitive in the global farm fish market if they must use closed containment...
Quality of the fish can't be maintained in concrete pens...Closed containment
is really no better environmentally than open net since BC has such stringent
rules already...Raising fish in concrete pens is not humane...The technology
is unproven...We're not against it, it just can't be implemented yet...The cost,
the cost, the cost, we'll have to lay workers off, we can't be competitive, we
need government subsidies...
"It's
a report designed to shut the industry down" says Ron Cantelon, a Liberal MLA
(Nanaimo-Parksville) [1]
B.C. Agriculture and Fisheries Minister Pat Bell has said
he would not feel bound by the committee's recommendations. [2]
Surprise. Surprise.
The BC Legislative Assembly
Aquaculture Report
The Legislative Assembly of British Columbia:
Special Committee on Sustainable
Aquaculture Final Report Volume 1
The Legislative Assembly of British Columbia:
Special Committee on Sustainable Aquaculture Final Report Volume 2
Articles
worth reading.
Aquaculture's
Troubled Harvest | Wild
salmon at risk |
Fish
farms that don't harm
1. Times
Colonist - 16 May 2007
2. CBC
News - 16 May 2007
Please visit the sponsor for this article.
51 Sea Lions Drown in Fish Farm Nets
By now you would have to be dead yourself not to have heard about the latest
drowning of 51 Sea Lions in the nets of a fish farm in Tofino Inlet. A gruesome
death by all accounts. Seems the pesky creatures get in past two outer nets and
suck out salmon from their holding nets. The sea lions then cannot find their
way out through the holes of the outer nets and drown.
What True Tofino News asks is Why?
Why is this happening?
How much of it is happening?
How is the media reporting on this situation?
Here are two online news articles about this latest incident. Media 101 - are
the articles balanced in their reporting? Did you read all the way to the end?
Whose information is where in each article? Can you see a difference in the telling
of this story between the two?
First article is from a local online news organization, The
Westcoaster:
Unfortunately after this True Tofino News article was posted and brought to the
attention of The Westcoaster they started blocking this website from having a
link to the story. (*)
To read their story you'll have to copy and paste the link below into your browser.
www.westcoaster.ca/modules/AMS/article.php?storyid=1950
Second article is from a national news organization, The
Globe & Mail:
The
Globe & Mail: Fish-farm nets take toll on sea lions
Our local newspaper The Westerly did a
good job of balanced reporting.
While we would have liked to see the story mentioned on the front page, they gave
the best coverage, reporting not just on the actual event but also writing about
what could be done about the situation and the different views on that solution.
Equal space was given to the differing viewpoints and they were both presented
throughout the article. Well done Westerly!
Unfortunately the paper is not online but we will try and get permission to run
a copy.
Please visit our sponsor
for this article.
Never seen a fish
farm?
Here's one of the many fish farms in Clayoquot Sound, Tofino, BC, Canada
Kendal Kelly elected
Plastic Bags rejoice.
We gained one new councillor and lost one potential vote for the banning of
plastic shopping bags in Tofino. Let's use your past experience rallying people
and can-do attitude to take another look at this Kendal. Business will not do
it on it's own, let's be environmental leaders in super natural Tofino and show
that we care.
 Plastic
bags are not organic. They are made from oil which is organic but the process
of making a synthetic product removes it from the coveted organic status. Plastic
is a artificial product, it will not break down into it's origins, and it's deadly
for the planet - that's you in case you've forgotten. Don't use plastic - like
that's gonna happen - Use with extreme care and reuse, then recycle - do not dispose
of plastics in our land fill.
 No recycling here for
plastic you say. Okay, clean it, store it, and take it out with you next time
you visit a community that does recycle plastic. Got friends who visit? Have them
take your plastic out with them. There's no excuse to dump plastics into our land
fill.
Please visit the
sponsor of this article.
Strathcona Park Needs You!
And You Need It.
An application has been made by the Clayoquot Wilderness Resort (at the head
of Bedwell Sound) to build new roadbeds and bridges, both inside and outside
the park, and a "destination" site way up at You Creek to accommodate
horse expeditions into the Park. This is part of a plan to link up with horse
expeditions from the north side of the park (coming down from Buttle Lake).
We're not keen on the idea and would not like to see it happen - but should
it be decided that the public's Strathcona Park lands should be shared with Clayoquot
Wilderness Resort then we only think it's fair that Clayoquot Wilderness Resort
lands be shared with the public. Oh, the cost
per day for one person to stay at CWR? Over $1500 a day for the 3 night package.
Key Issues about allowing CWR in Strathcona Park include:
* private commercialization of public wilderness areas
* implications of this proposal for all wilderness parks in the province
* the implications of introducing horses into a pristine wilderness
* predator "management" (of things that might like to eat horses)
* the effects of horse use on fragile wilderness ecosystems
* feed and waste management issues
* the value of rapidly diminishing wilderness; meaning wilderness that is truly
wilderness
Please visit the
sponsor of this article.
Show a Little Respect
Respect Tip #1 - Beaches
When you take a walk on the beach pick up one piece of garbage. If we all picked
up just one piece each time we visited the beach, say a battered water bottle,
it would go a long way to keeping our beaches clean.
Why should I pick up someone else's garbage?
Because someone else may be picking up yours. None of us knows how much stuff
may fall out of our pocket, or when our dog may pooh and we don't see it, or when
something drops off our boat and we can't pick it up at the time. So, consider
that and pick up one thing next time you're walking the beach.
And surfers, if you take your dog to the beach think about it - they may pooh
and you sure won't see it, so pick up a dog pooh sometime even if it isn't your
dog's. Oh too icky! Well, get over it and do your part.
Having a picnic or bonfire - great. Just remember if you carried it in full
you can certainly carry it out empty.
Please visit our sponsor
of this article.
Idling? - Just don't
do it
Let's make Tofino an Idle-Free Zone
Idle for 10 seconds? Turn It Off!
Think about it - you're making a quick stop in at the laundry or the surf
shop or the market just for a second to pick up ________. You leave your vehicle
running because it's just a second. Well, if that's you, and you know who you
are, count to 10 as you're doing that errand because after that you're polluting
the earth for no reason whatsoever. (1)
 But
I'm using bio-diesel so I'm not polluting when I idle my vehicle. Think
again. Just because you're using bio-diesel doesn't mean that there is no cost
to that fuel. How do you think that bio-diesel gets to Tofino - by a fuel driven
truck. Are you using 100% bio-diesel or a mixture? Where do you think bio-diesel
comes from and how much fuel driven farm machinery and pesticides are used on
those crops? Who do you think grows those crops for bio-diesel - agra-business,
who are just as nice and friendly and caring about the environment as the oil
companies. So do you really think you're not harming the planet letting your vehicle
run because it's bio-diesel?
Think you need to idle your car? Read
these idling myths from the City of Burnaby, BC
In 2003, the British Columbia Provincial Health Officer’s Report estimated
the number of emergency room visits per year attributable to air pollution in
B.C. at approximately 1000. (2)
Comments/Tips/Suggestions?
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