May 5, 1998
Hon. David Anderson
Minister of Fisheries and Oceans
FAX: 1-613-952-1458
Dear Mr. Anderson:
Whereas a coho-bearing stream, Dry Creek runs through the property of
MacMillan-Bloedel’s Alberni Specialties Paper Mill and empties into the harbor on
this site and
Whereas an enormous hog fuel pile is situated immediately beside this creek on the south
side and
Whereas this pile is a source of serious pollution which has fouled the creek and creek
bed, harbor and harbor bottom with dust, wood debris, leachate and possibly other
contaminants harmful to fish and
Whereas M & B Paper presently desires to install and operate hogging equipment on the
north side of Dry Creek which I believe will aggravate the very poor condition presently
existing at the mouth of this creek, creek bed, harbor and harbor bottom and
Whereas the West Coast salmon fishery is in crisis and whereas coho are fast becoming an
endangered species.
Therefore I request the Minister:
1) to investigate and immediately have cancelled any Permit
which may have been issued authorizing the use of this new hogging
equipment on the north side of Dry Creek.
to investigate and immediately order the removal of the existing hog
fuel pile on the south side of Dry Creek to an area which is not as
environmentally-sensitive.
Respectfully,
Edward Jon Anderson of Port Alberni
cc: Dennis Streifel (BC Minister of Fisheries) |
May 22, 1998
Hon. David Anderson
Minister of Fisheries and Oceans
FAX: 1-613-952-1458
Dear Mr. Anderson:
Further to my letter of May 5, 1998, regarding conditions which exist in and around Dry
Creek and on the site of MacMillan Bloedel’s Alberni
Specialties Paper Mill in Port Alberni, BC, I believe that you should be made aware of the
dumping practices which existed for many years on the Hog Pile situated immediately beside
this creek and harbor.
It was the practice for a long time to regularly dump on the hog pile used oils (in all
likelihood some containing PCBs), solvents, paint thinners, glues, turpentines, old paint
and other similar unwanted substances for destruction in the power boiler. Clarifier
sludge, bleached and unbleached stock and the accompanying water contaminated with
chemicals from the paper making process were also disposed of in the same manner.
Present dumping practices are much more restrictive; however, from time to time
oil-contaminated water, stock with contaminated water and smaller amounts of unidentified
oils are directed to the hog pile for disposal. Sludge from the effluent treatment plant
is dumped on the pile continuously.
In light of these practices, I believe it would be prudent to conduct a wide range of
tests to determine the state of the soils beneath and around this huge pile as a wide
range of contaminants are possible including dioxins and PCBs.
Further, I believe the only truly effective and permanent solution to the many problems
associated with this important tidal area of Dry Creek and the Harbor in general is to
eliminate sources of contamination which are truly unnecessary and aggravating to the
health of the areas in question. The paper mill would function just as well if the hog
storage on the south side of the creek and shore of the harbor were moved to a location
that would not effect these important natural systems which are presently trying to
recover from past abuses.
As for the proposed hogging operation on the north side of the creek, there is now a
significant amount of dust generated daily by heavy equipment hauling material to the
storage site on the north side the creek. This activity in dry weather generates
significant amounts of dust which at times are carried to the creek by ground-level
breezes.
Both of these operations are presently located beside the creek out of convenience and
both could be re-located without harming the operation of the paper mill.
It is very difficult for me to understand why after over 2 years of federal Department of
Fisheries and provincial Ministry of Environment involvement such poor conditions continue
to exist on and around this site.
Remedial action on obvious problems has been both very slow and minimal.
As the west coast salmon fishery is now in crisis and numbers of Coho are quickly
diminishing, I trust that habitat restoration will become a priority and that swift action
will be taken to permanently remedy the sad situation which presently exists in the area.
Respectfully,
Edward Jon Anderson of Port Albernicc: Dennis Streifel (BC Minister of Fisheries)
|
June 14, 1998
Pacifica Papers Inc.
4000 Stamp Avenue
Port Alberni, BC
FAX: 250-724-7498
Dear Sirs:
We are writing this letter to express our concern with the location of
the hog fuel pile and planned additional hogging operation on the Port Alberni mill site
of Pacifica Papers.
The main hog fuel pile and its associated equipment have had a very
negative impact on Dry Creek and the adjacent harbor area for many years. Fish habitat in
some areas has been destroyed and in other areas has been degraded as a result of the many
problems related to the location of this pile.
Locating the new portable hogging operation so close to Dry Creek is
very likely to have a negative impact over time.
We are hopeful that, as a new company, Pacifica Papers will deal with
these issues as an industry leader and trendsetter recognizing that permanent solutions to
these problems and potential problems are desirable, achievable and beneficial to the
Company, community and other stakeholders.
The relocation of the hog fuel operations to less sensitive areas is a
necessary first step and would be much appreciated by all who are concerned with the
future of the Harbor area and fish stocks.
Additional information on these issues is available on our Web Site at:
http://www.portaec.net/local/hogfuel/.
Yours sincerely,
Maureen Sager
and
Edward Anderson
Office Co-ordinator
Pacifica Papers Employee
|
|