Here is my reply:
RE: Save the Coquitlam River
Thank you for your email outlining your concerns regarding sediments generated by gravel pit operations. As you may be aware, in October 1999, Council established a Coquitlam River Aggregate Task Force (CRATF) to recommend what could be done, by all levels of government, the aggregate mining industry and other stakeholders to remedy the impacts of aggregate mining and to improve the health of the Coquitlam River. The task force included representatives from the gravel pit operations, the cities of Coquitlam and Port Coquitlam, Ministry of Energy and Mines, Ministry of Water Land and Air Protection, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), BC Hydro and the Coquitlam River Watershed Society. The CRATF produced an action plan in November 2001 and implementation of this plan is well underway. Recent initiatives undertaken by Coquitlam include:
· commissioning a consultant study to determine the feasibility of municipal uses of fines;
· approaching the Master Municipal Construction Documents (MMCD) committee with recommendations for including the use of gravel fines in concrete specifications;
· requesting funding from the province for further research studies needed to identify alternative uses for fines;
· seeking opportunities with other agencies to monitor and control naturally occurring slides in Falacea and Orr Creeks; and
· installing two sediment monitoring stations in the Coquitlam River – one directly above and one directly below the gravel pit operations.
While progress has been made, efforts to implement the CRATF action plan are continuous and ongoing.
I would like to stress that we recognize the vital importance of the Coquitlam River within our community and the region. The river provides a multitude of benefits including critical habitat for fish and wildlife; and recreational, cultural and historical significance for local residents and First Nations. The Coquitlam River Reservoir provides one of the cleanest drinking water sources in the Lower Mainland. It also generates hydroelectric energy, and provides downstream flood control benefits. As well, the City of Coquitlam played an active role in the development of the recently completed BC Hydro Coquitlam-Buntzen Water Use Plan that balances fish habitat, power generation, flood protection and other factors in generating suitable operating regimes for the water control facilities.
I would also like to clarify a couple of other items related to your concerns. It is important to note that gravel pit operators are required, on a biennial basis, to apply to the City of Coquitlam for a Soil Substance Removal Permit. This permit validates the use of that land for soil removal, and the fee provided by the operator is used to rehabilitate roads used by gravel trucks. The gravel pit operations are actually regulated at the provincial level through mines permits and plans. Provincial legislation requires that gravel operators submit and adhere to mine plans that, amongst other items, establish site remediation and watercourse protection measures. These plans are referred to DFO for review. In the case of the Coquitlam River, DFO requested that the Ministry of Energy and Mines limit sediment discharges to the river; however, it is recognized that heavy rainfall events may continue to provide releases that are higher than desired.
With respect to the failure of the Lafarge sediment pond earlier this year, representatives from DFO thoroughly investigated the situation and found there was no evidence that sediments from the pond were released directly into the Coquitlam River as a result of this incident. However, fine sediments filtering into ditches that drain into the river, continue to be a concern. DFO continues to monitor the situation and encourage local gravel pit operators to seek practical ways to resolve this complex situation. For their part, gravel pit operators continue to invest considerable resources in water clarification and sediment settlement, slope stabilization and replanting, research on alternative uses for fines and other initiatives.
In conclusion, the issues surrounding the operation and regulation of gravel pit operations are complex and involve a number of jurisdictions. The City of Coquitlam and other members of the CRATF are continuing with concerted efforts to improve the health of the Coquitlam River.
Yours truly,
Jon Kingsbury
MAYOR
c - Councillor Mae Reid, Chair of the Coquitlam River Aggregate Task Force
Author
Topic: Save the Coquitlam River (Read 7002 times)