[mobglob-discuss] Re: Callaghan Valley development

[Lyle Fenton]

The development in the Callahan Valley will have negative and polluting
effects throughout the regional air shed and the Cheakamus and Squamish rive
watersheds. Local residents downstream in the Squamish and Cheakamus Valleys
have been concerned with the pollution of the Squamish and Cheakamus Rivers
by Whistler and their industrial tourism enterprise for years. It was due to
citizen action downstream that Whistler upgraded their sewer plant instead
of constructing a discharge pipe for 11 kilometers from Whistler to the BC
Hydro penstalk tunnel that drains from the Daisy Lake (Reservoir) into the
Squamish River in the early 90,s.

Even with the level of treatment Whistler provides the carrying capacity of
the Cheakamus will be exceeded if development in the area continues. There
are many things in the waste stream Whistlers treatment plant was not
designed to treat. One of them being toxic garbage dump eachate, the garbage
dump for Whistler is fast becoming a small mountain. Other pollutants are
drugs humans use such as birth control pills and heart drugs. These have an
effect on the development of juvenile fish (salmon) and other aquatic life.
I could go on in detail however the real issue is the Cheakamus is pretty
much a creek in the winter. When the Olympics take place and another
development the likes of Whistler in the Callahan Valley is built a legacy
of a polluted river will be left to the detriment of a number of fish
hatcheries and habitat restoration projects and the aquatic ecosystem down
stream. Contributing to the further decline in our wild salmon population.

Much needs to be done to hold the Olympic promoters accountable to proper
monitoring, treatment and clear explanation as to how they will keep waste
within limits that will not destroy rivers and further degrade an air shed
that presently has air quality as bad as  Chilliwack in the Fraser Valley
(demonstrated by ministry data)

In spite of Whistlers claim to working towards sustainable development they
have not yet acknowledged there is a carrying capacity to the area.

Lyle Fenton

----- Original Message -----
From: Bella <bella_donna_36 at yahoo.com>
To: Joey <streetpoet77 at hotmail.com>; mobglob
<mobglob-discuss at lists.resist.ca>; No Olympics <no-olympics-sfpirg at sfu.ca>;
Rand <rmb at intergate.ca>; Rosalin Sam <sutikalh2003 at telus.net>; Thea Walters
<lines1 at telus.net>; Kym <kymhothead at telus.net>; LMCSJ <lmcsj at resist.ca>;
Phil Lyons <plyons at vcn.bc.ca>; Frank McGreal <fmcgreal at vcn.bc.ca>; Vancouver
Activist <vancouver-activist at yahoogroups.com>; Janine Bandcroft
<peaceandjustice at acts.bc.ca>; Bea Bernhausen <beabernhausen at yahoo.com>;
Crimson <pagan_productions at yahoo.com>
Sent: Monday, July 07, 2003 3:50 PM
Subject: Callaghan Valley development


> Dear No Games supporters:
>
> We have recently learned that one of the first Olympic projects to be
> undertaken is the development of the Callaghan Valley. Now a pristine
> alpine
> valley (and Crown land) it is soon to be destroyed to make way for the
> Athlete's village and future '4 Season Resort'.  The land is unceded
> aboriginal land.
>
> We have to stop this desecration.  Please send us your thoughts on how we
> can organize to prevent this.
>
> Chris Shaw
> No Games 2010
> csshawlab at hotmail.com
>
>
> =====
> "Here's a message for the masses, never ass kiss" Ozo Matli
>
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