With great sadness, SOSC wishes to inform our members of the recent death of Michael Poole.  On July 13^th, Mike passed away peacefully at home with his wife Carole and family by his side.

There will be a celebration of his life to be held on Sunday, September 12^th, 1:30 PM - 4:30PM, at the Pender Harbour School of Music.

SOSC acknowledges Mike's significant contribution to its cause and the many other ways in which Mike made a difference throughout his life.

Mike was SOSC’s media spokesperson and newspaper contributor, representing our organization with eloquence and professionalism.

His career began as a journalist, and later turned from print to pictures.  He found that he was gifted with a visual sense.  With little or no effort , he found he could visualize film sequences, imagining how a shot would look through the lens.

Mike was an environmentalist, who loved to be in nature.  He filmed a report on Indigenous people flooded out by the Bennett Dam which got him into prime time on the CBC network.  Later on, he left CBC in favour of freelancing, traveling the world.  He won awards for his film Tankerbomb for best documentary.

In the 1980’s Mike directed some of the Beachcombers shows.  Also in the 80’s he worked making a string of films for the series The Nature of Things with David Suzuki.   Many films and many awards followed.  Island of Whales, directed by Mike, won a Gemini, Canada’s Oscar.

He loved building canoes and working on boats.  He restored a rare Peterborough canoe built in 1912, which now hangs in the Smithers airport , a memorial to the trapper who used it for more than 50 years on nearby lakes.  Mike loved being near the ocean, boating, and fishing, with his family.

Mike and Carole built a lovely home with breathtaking views and beautiful gardens that they both lovingly cared for.  A peaceful sanctuary, perfect for writing .

 
Mike has written three books:  Romancing Mary Jane,  Ragged Islands, which was about a 1000 kilometer adventurous canoe trip through the Inside Passage, with Mike alone at the paddle, and his work of fiction, Rain Before Morning.

Mike was a very interesting man and gifted writer.  He was a wonderful storyteller.  While reading his books, you are carried away into the story, imagining that it is you on the boat slipping quietly over the moonlit ocean.

Mike will be missed by his family, friends, and community.  We all feel his loss.

Our deepest sympathy goes out to Carole, his children, grandchildren, and his siblings.

For more information on Mike's life and accomplishments, visit the Harbour Publishing website here.

WOOD BAY SOLD



PPA has agreed to the sale of its Wood Bay property and the deal has gone through.
 
The company has now relinquished its goal of using this coastal site to develop an off-loading terminal for gravel and other mineral products from its proposed northern mine in the Caren range. 

This is a huge victory for SOSC and others who have joined us in opposing the use of the Wood Bay site for such purposes.  

We are very happy with this outcome and would like to thank all of the various people and local groups who helped achieve this successful conclusion.  We truly appreciate your help and support.

However, PPA still maintains it can develop and ship material from the southern mine.  Details on how and where this will actually happen are meagre.  But we remain vigilant.


RUDY WANTS ROYALTIES



Rudy Riepe, the long time promoter of mining claims in the hills around Sechelt, is heading to court again.  This time to sue Global Industrial Services Canada Inc., a subsiduary of Pan Pacific Aggregates.  Rudy alleges he is owed a minimum royalty of $300,000 from deals made with PPA, according to Stockwatch Business Reporter in a December 10th article.
Click to read the whole story.


INVESTOR SCANDAL

We discovered earlier this week that members of the UK based London South East investors' blog were gloating over their ability to rig the vote in last week's Coast Reporter's Question of the Week.

The previous week the question was "Do you want to see PPA get approval for its Mission Hill project?"  And the response was NO 64% and YES 36%.  This week the YES vote was over 80% before the Coast Reporter pulled the survey off its website.  Quite a discrepency.  Now we know why. 

Here's how Brent Richter reported on the scandal in this week's Coast Reporter:

PPA Investor Scam
October 2, 2009

Pan Pacific Aggregates' (PPA) Mission Hill project has caused a stir not only in Sechelt, but also across the pond in the United Kingdom.

PPA's location on Wood Bay is for sale.  The 3.7 acre property is listed at $1.85m by Denise Brynelsen of Royal LePage.  The property is described as having 3,500 square feet of living space and 1,000 feet of waterfront.  MLS V779123.  Link to property listing.

BARELY ALIVE, STILL AMBITIOUS

PPA's focus seems firmly shifted now on ramping up its Pumptown quarry in Abbotsford after struggling through several financial swamps.  Emerging barely alive, PPA still floats ambitious goals, relying on the depressed construction industry being able to make a comeback soon to buy its gravel.

Curiously, despite its financial woes, PPA has yet to post for sale its waterfront property at Wood Bay.

For a useful summary of PPA's current situation and players, check out the article writen for investors by Robert Tyerman called PPA Clears the Decks available at this link.

PPA DELAYS SALE

   

MORE DELAYS

PPA is “considering a change to the project design” according to Karen Christie, Project Assessment Manager for the provincial Environmental Assessment Office, and so the comment period for the draft Terms of Reference for reviewing PPA’s mining proposals is now delayed to the fall.

Previously, the federal and provincial agencies involved in the environmental assessment review of PPA’s plans were to have met in July for a tour of Wood Bay, the conveyor location and the north mine site. A meeting of the working group was also planned to discuss the federal scoping plan and the ground water report. The agencies were also planning to meet with SOSC and FOSP at this time. Now these meetings will be rescheduled until September.




ROCKY FUTURE FOR PPA?

Cal Mark,  PPA's project manager, has resigned from chairing the Community Advisory Committee as well as from several other responsibilities with PPA, according to Coast Reporter (CR).  In a front page feature this week, the local newspaper reports Ed Steeves, SCRD chair, saying "[Mark] is the glue that holds that company together... this could be an indication PPA is on its way out." 

In addition to not chairing PPA's advisory group, Mark is no longer "acting as the lead on community relations and consultation; and as manager/contact responsible to the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources for exploration activities."

Meanwhile, CR also says Kevin Krueger, the provincial Minister of State for Mining, indicated to SCRD directors in an April 16 meeting in Victoria that PPA "is a long way away from getting approval from the province" for its mining proposals.  CR quotes Krueger saying "I have heard a lot of concern being expressed over this application.  It is still at its very early stages, and given the amount of public opposition to this application, I'm concerned about it as well."

Krueger's concerns can be added to those voiced repeatedly by locals in petitions, letters, and media reports.  In addition, politicians MP Blair Wilson and MLA Nicholas Simons as well as SCRD directors and the local Aboriginal community have all expressed significant opposition to PPA's mining plans.  Read CR's article.

NEW PPA RELEASES

On April 10, PPA issued two releases to the AIM London Stock Exchange within an hour of each other as information to shareholders in advance of PPA's upcoming "Extraordinary General Meeting" to be held May 3, 2007.

First was notice that the company has been running short of money and is securing 4 million pounds sterling additional funds from RAB Capital plc -- the company that loaned PPA money last year, partly to acquire the Wood Bay property -- along with an extra 250,000 pounds sterling to satisfy the interest on the previous loan notes.  PPA says the new funds will be used for "obtaining environmental permitting; drilling and mine definition of the Company's Sechelt Claims; and general working capital."  The release also emphasizes how seriously PPA needs the money: "The subscription by RAB is considered by the Board to be critical to the future of the Company, not just in the long term but also to fund short term working capital requirements.  Without such funds, it is unlikely that the Company would have sufficient working capital over the coming months unless alternative financing arrangements were available to the Company. However, the Board does not believe that such alternative arrangements could be made in the time available."  Click to view the release.

The second release provides PPA's final audited financials for the year ended December 31, 2006.  Included in William Voaden's preamble are various items of information about PPA's activities over the past year, including both the restructuring of "its management team to reflect its development stage status" and moving head office from Vancouver to Richmond to effect "meaningful cost savings that have been diverted to the drilling and permitting process."  PPA also states that its baseline studies should be "completed early in 2007" and that such studies "have not identified any issues that were of sufficient environmental significance to make the Company reconsider its proposed quarry development plans" but PPA acknowledges that the triggering of a federal environmental assessment "will result in a delay in the submission of the application for the environmental certificate of about 3 months, to July 2007."   Click to view financial statements.

Thomson Financial (AFX News), reporting from London, noted the financials revealed PPA posting a larger pretax loss of 1.73 million sterling this year (compared to 1.29 million sterling last year) and identified the widening loss was due to "higher administrative expenses" which rose an extra 200,000 pounds sterling for the year.   Click to view AFX News report.

Not mentioned in any of these releases was the level of opposition over the past year among local residents and their political leaders to PPA's plans -- the kind of opposition that has been reported on this website and through other sources.

EXPAND SPIPIYUS PARK

Responding to the provincial government's recent Throne Speech, we're calling upon British Columbia's decision-makers to expand Spipiyus Provincial Park in the Caren Range on Sechelt Peninsula.  This would be a marvellous opportunity to respond to renewed concern about protecting the environment to help reduce the effects of climate change.  A larger footprint for the park would be a better use than the open pit mine that PPA is promoting for the same area.

SOSC letter to Premier Campbell

Spipiyus Provincial Park is documented as the oldest closed-canopy temperate rain forest in Canada.  The park protects pockets of old-growth Douglas-fir stands and contains groves of the oldest living Yellow cedars, Mountain and Western Hemlocks in the world.  Most of the ecologically isolated park extends from about 700 metres to 1,200 metres above sea level.  The 2,979-hectare park also protects prime habitat for the Marbled Murrelet.  Spipiyus is the local native name for the Marbled Murrelet. 

Link to Provincial Park website
Article on Caren Range Subalpine Ecosystem by Paul H. Jones
Photos of Spipiyus and the Caren Range



'width' is a duplicate attribute name. Line 1, position 37.
BLAIR HEARS CONCERNS

Members of several community groups held a meeting in Sechelt at the Cowrie Street Tea House with MP Blair Wilson on February 10 to urge him to continue to voice local concerns with the federal government regarding PPA’s mining activities.

Blair Wilson and his assistants were presented with dossiers of information including legal opinions and letters previously sent to various government agencies. Concern was expressed about lobbying by the mining industry in BC to fast-track the environmental review processes at federal and provincial levels which could lead to insufficient assessments of mining impact.

Another topic discussed was maintaining adequate water supply on the Sunshine Coast in the face of enormous growth occurring in the area. The importance of the region being a tourist destination was also stressed as well as extending the boundaries of Spipiyus Provincial Park as a "recreational reserve" to encompass the pristine Wetlands and include Carlson Lake. This could provide a third alternative watershed for the Sunshine Coast and offer a better land use option than further open pit mining.

Attending the meeting were Jan Williams (Friends Of Sechelt Peninsula), Eleanor Lenz (Save Our Sunshine Coast), Jason Herz (Sunshine Coast Community Associations), and Dan Bouman, along with Blair Wilson’s assistants Scott Bardsley and Barbara.
 
“We all felt that it was a good stimulating meeting with important issues being raised,” reported Eleanor Lenz. “We asked Blair what he intended to do about those issues.” He agreed to send a letter to the new federal Minister of the Environment, to brief the Fisheries Critic on how new changes could affect how PPA’s project is reviewed, and to keep up the pressure for a federal comprehensive environmental review.”




BROCHURE MAILED TO ALL

We mailed this week a progress report to all households on the lower Sunshine Coast from Port Mellon to Egmont.  The brochure called "The People vs PPA" outlines in question and answer format the reasons we believe that people on the Sechelt Peninsula should oppose PPA's vision for the future of their neighbourhood.

We welcome you to join us in our campaign.  And we welcome any comments or questions you may have after receiving this brochure.

Click here to read the progress report.



from Coast Reporter 12/01/07

WHAT'S BEEN HAPPENING?

PPA placed this notice in the Coast Reporter newspaper to publicize the moving of their Sechelt premises.  

The SCRD has asked its solicitors to continue with proceedings regarding the site at the corner of Mason and Heritage. PPA had intended to store and process core samples here but the SCRD voted against the temporary industrial permit for this use in September 2006. PPA claims the Mines Act permits them to do so. 

Also, PPA has not yet applied for rezoning the Wood Bay site, but the company has cut a survey line for the conveyor pathway, and has completed a coastline study of the Wood Bay area for the load-out facility.

Meanwhile, PPA has released a Drilling Report on exploratory work carried out in the company's northern site. The report paints a positive picture going forward, suggesting there's "enough mineral of sufficient quality for commercial quarrying in the northern sector of the property producing both aggregate and chemical grade products, as well as the potential for high purity filler grade calcium carbonates." Managing director William Voaden said he is very pleased with these initial results.  Click here to read PPA's drilling results.
 
The first Terms of Reference (TOR) meeting occurred on January 11 as part of the required provincial Environmental Assessment review of PPA's mining proposals. Members of the TOR working group have toured the Wood Bay site and received documentation from the SCRD planning department, according to Garry Nohr, SCRD director for Halfmoon Bay.  However, no information has yet been released saying when the invitation to the public will be announced to allow for public comment on the TOR.  For more information click here to read excerpts from Nohr's latest newsletter or click here to learn about the TOR.

Also on January 11, Gary Lunn, federal Minister of Natural Resources visited the Sunshine Coast and met with the SCRD as attended a lunchtime meeting in Gibsons with around 50 local community members.  Minister Lunn was asked what the federal government would be willing to do to ensure PPA's plans are subjected to a full federal environmental review. He responded that the federal government has heard the community's concern and isin discussion with PPA about the topic.  Go to the FOSP website for further coverage of his visit.
 


Photo courtesy of Lori Pickering

HAPPY HOLIDAYS EVERYONE

Here's hoping that you, your family and your friends have a wonderful festive season celebrating all that is worthwhile in this world.  We also give thanks to all the several thousands of people who in various ways -- some small, some stupendous -- have helped further our goal of saving the Sunshine Coast for others to enjoy.  Thank you for your help and continued support.



REPLY FROM EXCHANGE

We wondered if the London Stock Exchange, where PPA is listed, was aware of the Sechelt Indian Band's removal of support for PPA's proposals, and whether such information should be reported to PPA's shareholders.

We were glad to receive a reply. Click here to view both the reply and the original query from our Chair Ron Brown.


REALITY CHECK FOR PPA

Last week's Coast Reporter contained a full page rebuttal to claims made by spokespersons for PPA the previous week in the same newspaper.  PPA had placed an advertorial (that is, text which looks like a news story but is really a paid advertisement) in a bid to spread what it called "important facts" about its Sechelt Carbonate Project so that local residents "can form your opinions based on the truth."  Unfortunately, the advertorial contained several factual errors and distortions of the truth. 

This is not just our opinion.  The following organizations have endorsed our rebuttal: Sunshine Coast Conservation Association, Clean Air Society, Friends of Sechelt Peninsula, Halfmoon Bay Citizen's Association, Friends of Caren Range, Sunshine Coast Bed and Breakfast, and the Cottage Owner's Association.  These groups represent collectively many hundreds, if not thousands, of stakeholders who see PPA's proposed mining activities as detrimental to the interests and future prosperity of the region.

See for yourself.  Click to read PPA's advertorial part one.  Click to read part two. Then click to read our rebuttal.




MESSAGE SENT TO PPA

Councillors of the shíshálh Nation have sent a letter to Don Nicholson, CEO of PPA, to express their opposition to PPA's mining proposals. After reminding PPA of the recent referendum, the letter goes on to describe how the Nation believes PPA has violated terms of the memorandum of understanding between PPA and the Nation and how PPA has not fulfilled its obligations. The letter ends by demanding PPA cease operations in the land historically occupied by the Nation, remove references to the Nation from PPA's website, and inform investors of the Nation's opposition.
Click here to read letter.




COMPANY BRIEFS SCRD 

Halfmoon Bay Director Garry Nohr says PPA is still focusing on Wood Bay for its coastal load-out facility and will be meeting with neighbours sometime in December to discuss its intentions for the area. 

Reporting in his latest newletter, Nohr indicates that SCRD directors at their November 13 meeting were briefed by PPA about the company's plans for Wood Bay.  The presentation included design mock-ups and pictures.  Directors were informed "PPA had completed their 12-month study of the coastline at Wood Bay and will now be doing a study of visual impact."  

Nohr also reports that PPA wishes people to know why it has closed off vehicle access to the mining area in the Caren Range. "PPA staff has informed me," says Nohr, "that people are allowed to go past their gates hiking or biking but not by vehicle. If you do go past the gate, you should be careful anywhere the mine staff is working. They feel they have had to close off the roads because of vandalism and theft at the mine site."

Regarding the Mason Road site in Sechelt, Nohr reports to his constituents that a PPA representative informed him this is "crown land, which is in their mineral claim, and they will continue to use it for a period of time. They intend to build a storage area closer to the mine in the future. They say they will continue to clean up the Mason Road area and intend to do a reclamation project on the land before they leave for the new site."  Nohr adds that the SCRD is continuing with its legal case against the company for land use at this site.
 
Nohr says at the meeting "PPA informed the group that the southern mine has necessary permits and that they only need a mine plan and a reclamation plan to proceed. They will mine approximately 500 tons per day. They will remove the ore by truck and barge.  PPA said that they would take out one barge per week from the Inlet."
 
Apparently, PPA also suggested for "any group that is concerned about what they are doing to drop into their office and address their concerns to them."  And Nohr reports that PPA "would like anyone interested to be on their advisory group. "

Many thanks to Garry Nohr for sharing this information.  Click here to read full comments in his newsletter.



'width' is a duplicate attribute name. Line 1, position 37.
HONOURING COMMUNITY

Members of several community groups including Save Our Sunshine Coast and other invited guests attended an information meeting on October 26 hosted by the shíshálh Nation in Sechelt.

The community hall was packed with a variety of people, many wearing traditional costume, including several children.  After a prayer by the elders and a shared meal, Samantha Joe gave a compelling slide presentation.  She outlined the history of the relationship between Pan Pacific Aggregates, Inc. and the Band, and she described how many believed PPA's proposed mines on the Sechelt peninsula would negatively impact the traditional territory of the shíshálh, a territory the Elders wish to protect and preserve for future generations.

Also described were the archeological sites of cultural significance that have been located within the boundaries of PPA's project area. 

After the presentation, all were invited to join in traditional songs and dances.  Guests felt it was a great honour to be included in the event.  In saying their farewells at the end of the evening, participants pledged to help each other protect this land we all cherish.
 




HOW MUCH DUST POLLUTION?

This is one of the questions local residents will be asking PPA when it convenes the long-awaited public information meeting to disclose PPA's plans for Wood Bay. 

Those living in Trail Bay -- where these pictures were taken -- know all about the air pollution caused by ambient dust discarded during the loading process from gravel being exchanged from the conveyor belt into barges or on board freighters.

Will PPA's proposed conveyor belt and load-out facility at Wood Bay cause similar dust problems?  The company has yet to respond to enquiries, and residents are still awaiting a meeting.

We are grateful to Arthur Whistler from Sechelt who took these photographs.  Click for more photos.




CAREN ACCESS BLOCKED

A local guide reports that PPA has reinstalled a gate on the road to deny access to Carlson Headwaters and Carlson Peak in the Caren Range.

"Lost accessibility is bad news for everyone on the Sunshine Coast," says the guide who also noticed that "on the road from Carlson Lake to Ford Creek is a large dugout across the road" to bar access "on a road that has been open for more than 35 years."  Noticing work done to construct a new bridge crossing at Carlson Creek, the guide says the bridge "has had some cursory armouring, [but] nothing that would stop dirt from entering the creek and spawning channels. The work done at the crossing was so minimal to be considered careless and without consideration for Carlson Creek fish values."  If true, once again, we wonder why this degradation to the environment is being allowed and on what basis access to public land is being denied by private interests. 





KEY QUESTION REMAINS

Since the local community has voiced its strong opposition recently to PPA’s mining proposals for the Sechelt Peninsula, attention is now focused on the provincial government. Will the province ignore local opinion and use legislation -- such as the Mines Act or Bill 75 -- to override the process of municipal land use decisions? That question casts a long shadow.

“There is no doubt that public input to date indicates that the community opposes PPA’s plans for two mines and all the associated proposals that may arise…” wrote David Rafael, Senior Planner, to the SCRD Planning and Development Committee on September 14.

Apparently undaunted, PPA is pressing on with its proposals. Despite having its re-zoning application for the Mason Road facility denied by the SCRD on September 14, PPA has announced it will ask Victoria to invoke the Mines Act as a means of overriding the SCRD, according to the Coast Reporter on September 22. 

In a proactive move to resolve the key question about jurisdiction, the SCRD has made the following resolution for consideration by the Union of British Columbia Municipalities at their meeting this month in Victoria: “.... be it resolved that local governments be assured of their authority to regulate in accordance with established bylaws without challenge from the provincial government.”

Meanwhile, in a report to shareholders posted September 27, PPA’s interim managing director, William J. Voaden makes no mention of growing local opposition or the Mason Road decision. Instead, Voaden suggests the outlook is “very positive” and indicates the company will be seeking to raise more money “from the existing shareholder base or new investors.”

SOSC has written to John Rees, chairman of the SCRD urging the SCRD “to immediately revive its legal action against PPA, beginning with an application for an injunction to stop all work on the Mason Road site until the issue of jurisdiction is resolved in the courts. Failure to act now could set a precedent of acquiescing in the company’s defiance, which could weigh against the SCRD in any future legal action.”  SOSC is also contacting the BC Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources to determine its position on the key question of whether current legislation permits the province to overrule municipal land use decisions.

PPA has yet to call any public information meetings regarding its intentions for Wood Bay. But those people able to attend “Industrial Minerals 2006“, the 18th Annual Canadian Conference on markets for industrial minerals being held at the Four Seasons Hotel in Vancouver on October 17-18 may learn something. The conference schedule lists PPA’s Alan Whitehead presenting on “A Potentially World Class Super Quarry on Tidewater near Vancouver, Canada” and William Voaden discussing “"Equity Finance from European Capital Markets for Industrial Minerals Projects".

We encourage you to write to the SCRD chairman, John Rees, and to Hon. Bill Bennett, Minister of State for Mining, letting them know where you stand on this key question hanging over who should make decisions regarding land use in the Sechelt Peninsula:

Hon. Bill Bennett
Minister of State for Mining
PO Box 9070 Stat. Prov. Govt.
Victoria, BC V8W 9E2
E-mail: bennett.bill.mla@leg.bc.ca

John Rees
Chairman Sunshine Coast Regional District
1975 Field Road
Sechelt, BC
V0N 3A1
E-mail: info@scrd.bc.ca HHG





THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT

We celebrate the achievements of the past week... while much remains to be done before the fight is over... we thank all who have helped so far:
'width' is a duplicate attribute name. Line 1, position 37.
First, we thank the directors of the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) for rejecting PPA's application to change the zoning of the Mason Road site from agricultural land reserve to light industrial at Thursday's meeting.  The SOSC's Eleanor Lenz reports, "The room was full. Jan Williams gave an excellent presentation against PPA and its proposals.  Garry Nohr spoke first and made it very clear he was working for his constituents in Halfmoon Bay and expressed their views in voting against PPA's application.  Then the other directors each spoke along the same lines, saying that their constituents were in opposition to the proposals... The vote was taken and PPA's application was flatly turned down... I almost cried; everyone clapped.  This was a significant step and shows that the SCRD clearly respects the wishes of the citizens who have elected them."

Next, we thank the Sechelt Indian Band (SIB) for expressing its opposition to PPA's application for rezoning.  This is in keeping with recent other indications of concern the Shishalh Nation and its Elders have raised regarding PPA's mining proposals in the region.  We salute SIB's courage and stewardship.

In addition, we appreciate the reconsideration shown by the District of Sechelt.  At their September 12 meeting, councillors were persuaded to vote 5-1 in favour of a resolution opposing PPA's application.  Kathy Turner of Friends of the Sechelt Peninsula was reported as an "eloquent spokesperson ... leading a large delegation... who emphasized in some detail the groundswell of opposition to this project in the community."   Councillors listened and understood.  We applaud their commitment to civic duty.

We also thank the many members of local advocacy groups and residents' associations who attended these meetings and who have shown unwavering support to defeat PPA's proposals for mining in the Caren Range.

Last, but most importantly, we thank all of you who have supported SOSC in this fight by becoming members, by devoting your time and energy, and by providing much-needed financial contributions which have all helped to strengthen our opposition to PPA's proposals.  Bless you for being with us as we move forward to the next stage of this struggle.



CONCERNS ABOUT WATER

One of the reasons we oppose PPA's plans for Wood Bay is the potential for industrialization to affect the local watershed and the quality of its water.  Residents are concerned that water supplies could be negatively impacted by the proposed mines in the Caren Range.

We believe specific steps should be taken to safeguard the drinking water of this region. To that end, we have written to Tim Adams, Vancouver Coastal Health Drinking Water Officer, urging that an independent hydrology study be done on the likely impact of PPA's plans on the local watershed.

Read letter to Tim Adams

Meanwhile, a "Framework for the Sunshine Coast Water Master Plan" will be publicly released and discussed at the SUNSHINE COAST WATER FAIR on September 16 and 17 at the Seaside Centre in Sechelt.  The fair will feature display booths and workshops as well as a keynote speech by Clive Callaway on the "Living By Water Project" at 3:00pm on Saturday.  For more information visit the website of the Ruby Lake Lagoon Nature Reserve or contact Georgia Ohm at 604-741-7639.




REASONS TO OPPOSE

Here's the top ten reasons why we believe PPA’s proposal for Wood Bay should be opposed (based on information publicly communciated by PPA to date):

10. The proposed site in Wood Bay is not zoned for industrial use and will require changes to the Official Community Plan.
9. The Islands Trust controls adjacent marine property to the site and its current regulations prevent industrial activity within 300m.
8. Wood Bay contains eelgrass which is important for the breeding and survival of the herring population in Malaspina Strait.
7. The proposed mines could damage the local watersheds and thus could impair the quality of the water supply.
6. Local residents are concerned the proposed load-out may have significant visual, noise and lighting impact in the vacinity of Wood Bay.
5. There are concerns the proposed facility would be a considerable hazard for pollution and to marine navigation in lower Malaspina Strait.
4. The proposal appears to create only limited local employment.
3. The proposed conveyor route may run through the habitat of endangered species, such as the Marbled Murrelet.
2. Tourism is currently more important to the local economy than mining and more in keeping with a sustainable future for the region.
1. And the number one reason is… the majority of locals simply don’t want it, as they have indicated in recent polls and petitions, including the collective voice of the Sechelt Indian Band.

Apparently, the provincial government may be able to ignore ALL of these reasons using existing legislation that could override local interests.  Be sure to let everyone know – including your provincial MLA and the BC Minister of State for Mining – how thoroughly unacceptable such action would be.  This is our Sunshine Coast and we, the people who actually live here, want to determine its future.


We Need Your Help

Click here to enlarge image

Drawing by Hal Lindhagen and Elizabeth Scott

Despite recent successes, we still need your help in our campaign to save Wood Bay from PPA's mining proposals.  We need financial contributions as well as volunteers to assist with several new initiatives we're planning.

We've had success so far with over 4,000 petitioners opposing PPA's plans, with 79% votes cast against PPA in the Sechelt Indian Band referendum, with 120 boats rallying to protest the industrialization of Wood Bay, and with public meetings packed by angry citizens demanding that PPA's plans be prevented from ruining our Sechelt Peninsula. 

Yet much still needs to be done.  PPA confirms it has purchased property in Wood Bay and intends to proceed with obtaining the necessary permits and approvals to start industrializing Wood Bay.  We intend to convince decision-makers that such plans are wrong for the Sunshine Coast.  We believe a better future lies in respecting local community plans, promoting tourism, and preserving the environment.

So we need your help.  Please send a financial contribution -- any amount you can -- by cheque to our address at:
Save Our Sunshine Coast
PO Box 2371
Sechelt, B.C.
V0N 3A0

Please also volunteer your time and energy to help us.  Send a message to us via our "Contact Us" page letting us know how we can contact you.


KEY VOTE AGAINST MINE


PPA's current excavation in the Caren Range
'width' is a duplicate attribute name. Line 1, position 37.
Members of the Sechelt Indian Band cast their votes on Saturday, August 5 in a referendum to express their collective voice. 

The referendum asked whether members of the Band were in favour of PPA's proposed mining activities in the Caren Range.  We understand the result was 130 votes against PPA with only 35 votes cast in favour of PPA. 

This resounding result should send another clear signal to all decision-makers about the depth of local dissatisfaction with PPA's vision for the Sechelt Peninsula.


RALLY -- A GREAT SUCCESS


Boats circle Wood Bay in formation
'width' is a duplicate attribute name. Line 1, position 37.
The boat rally on July 29 was a huge success!  Supporters came out in force, despite the small craft warning and chilly weather. Over a hundred boats braved the choppy seas of Malaspina Strait to descend upon Wood Bay from all directions and circled in an orderly procession the flag ship, "Indecision", blowing their horns, hollering support and sporting their white SOSC T-shirts.  There was no indecision about why they were there and what they were protesting.


Flag ship for the sail-past procession

Onlookers from shore lined the head of Wood Bay, and vehicular passers-by honked their horns. It was heart-warming to see such a visible expression of opposition to PPA's proposal.  Thank you one and all!
 

Watching from the roadside at Wood Bay


RALLY INSTRUCTIONS



Our boat-in rally is confirmed for this Saturday, July 29th in Wood Bay, just north of Secret Cove.  Participants need to show up at 10:45 am so we can all get organized for an 11:00 a.m start time. 

(Note: this is a water-event only.  There is no shore access organized to view the rally from private waterfront in Wood Bay.)

The safest formation is for sailboats and power boats to circle, in a clockwise direction, a line of buoys (laid out the length and breadth of a Panamax freighter) and for kayaks and other non-motorized craft to be in a separate circle just outside the mouth of Wood Bay.

See diagram of formation

Anchored in the middle of the course will be our flagship sporting a large banner. As you near Wood Bay a marshal boat flying an SOSC flag will approach you and hand you a flyer with instructions and a sketch of the course layout.

See copy of leaflet

Please exercise extreme caution: there will be many boats out there of various sizes and powers. Proceed dead slow and have all your bumpers/fenders out. If you have VHF radio, monitor channel 9.



Kayaks and non-powered craft should stay close to the shoreline as you approach, out of the way of larger vessels. Your circle will be around the marker just outside of Wood Bay. Stay clear of all motorized craft. (Kayaks can launch from Rock Water Resort -- formerly Lord Jim's on Mercer Road).

The now-famous SOSC t-shirt with the life-ring logo will be our "uniform" for the rally (but not mandatory). These are for sale at the Halfmoon Bay General Store.

Some enterprising souls have offered to make handmade posters to advertise the rally. If you would like to volunteer to join a poster-making work party, please e-mail Lynne Bogardus at bogardus@dccnet.com. Or, you could make a banner to display on your own boat during the rally.

Have fun, and be creative.  Don't forget, it's this Saturday, July 29th, 10:45 a.m., Wood Bay -- spend an hour on the water with us and stand up for your community.  Be there or be square!

JULY 29  BOAT-IN RALLY



We are organizing another event to publicize our opposition to PPA's planned conveyor and load-out facility.  Come join us on Saturday, July 29 starting at 11:00 am in Wood Bay. 

If you have a boat -- sail, power, kayak or other -- join our "sailpast".  The flagship will anchor just outside the mouth of Wood Bay.  At 11:00 am vessels will move in a line past the flagship and be recognized by loudhailer. 

If you don't have a boat, come show your support from the shore.

This rally will be a great way to demonstrate the strength of public opposition to PPA's plans for our pristine coast.  The media have been invited.  Help us put on a show to be remembered!

Please get the word out and let everyone know.  A flyer is being circulated to publicize the rally.  See event flyer.

Watch this space for more details to follow.


VISITING THE MINE SITE


Ancient trees yield to road construction
'width' is a duplicate attribute name. Line 1, position 37.
On Saturday, June 25, members of several local conservation groups and concerned residents' associations joined naturalists for a guided tour of PPA's northern mine site in the Caren Range of Sechelt Peninsula.

"I was shocked to see how much aggressive road clearing and destruction of the natural habitat has already occurred," said one participant.  "This area of old growth trees contains some of the oldest yellow cedar in the world," a naturalist explained, "and it's being sliced in half because it stands in the way."

From the access road, participants viewed a large dome of rock which PPA has already exposed and is blasting, apparently to produce material for testing.  Along the roadside were several scars produced when widening and reinforcing the access road.

Participants on the tour visited some pristine lakes and marshlands that form part of Carlson Creek headwaters -- all are threatened if PPA's mine proposal is approved. These lakes are situated in the middle of the proposed mining area and will likely be swallowed up by the mine or drained dry for water to wash the mine extractions.


MAKING WAVES


Wave action in Malaspina Strait

Aside from ecological issues, PPA's proposal for Wood Bay also has  "serious engineering problems" according to David White of Pender Harbour.

Wood Bay is particularly exposed to wave action caused by northwesterly winds coming across from Texada Island, as well as winds from other directions.  Unlike the existing gravel loading terminal in Sechelt which is protected by a sheltered bay, the proposed port at Wood Bay is largely unprotected -- one reason why there are few residential docks in the area.

White believes the combination of winds and waves along Malaspina Strait at Wood Bay makes the proposed PPA loading station potentially difficult and dangerous.  "Wave generation is a factor of wind duration and fetch, as well as water depth and shoaling," states White who urges that the "...idea of placing a ship-loading terminal close to Wood Bay could be fraught with danger" because of the local marine geography.   Click for full details.

 
LOOKING TO THE FUTURE


Photo courtesy of Rock Water Resort

Some people are asking if PPA's mine may be good for the economic development of the region because of the local jobs and investment it could bring.  But our future economic prosperity on the coast may actually lie elsewhere.  As David and Linda Pearson argue below, serving a growing diverse population of retirees, tourists, weekenders and knowledge workers may generate more sustainable jobs and service income in future than a resource extraction industry.

Here's part of the letter which David and Linda Pearson sent on May 1 to the Editor of Harbour Spiel in Maderia Park, reprinted with the authors' permission:

Dear Editor,

…we could have worked and retired anywhere in the world. We have lived in Banff, the Highlands of Scotland and Switzerland, among other places. We chose Pender Harbour because: it is a beautiful place that makes your heart sing most days; it has a wonderful sense of community; it is a privilege to share this place with the wildlife that you see every day, and it has great access to high speed data communications and to one of the world’s most beautiful cities.

We are not alone. We lead the phalanx of the Baby Boom. As an ex-international economic development specialist, I know that many Boomers want similar things, and have considerable money to spend in achieving them.

At the risk of appearing presumptuous, let me forecast what the real future of Pender Harbour holds. Over the next two decades, our economy will be increasingly dominated by four growing influences:

One, the retiring community, also known as the grey loonie. Sorry guys, we are going to get a lot more numerous before we start declining. We’ll need and pay for the services that comfortable retirement involves and create jobs in the process.

Two, the tourist, whom we currently serve very badly. Eco-tourism, activity tourism, all the growth areas, you mention it, we are well positioned but do them poorly. For instance, Pender Harbour could perhaps be a very significant bareboat chartering centre, with everything that means to our economy and jobs.

Thirdly, the overspill from the Vancouver economic boom, of which we haven’t seen anything yet. As China goes, so does Vancouver. This will mean more high-price weekenders and well-heeled commuters. I suggest that we double-tax weekenders to support our community services. It won’t deter them in my vision of Pender Harbour.

Fourthly, the knowledge worker, young and not-so-young.... The internet geek and software engineer can work anywhere, as any student of the well-known Seattle-based Company will tell you. We are blessed with high-speed internet and cable TV. If we encourage and attract knowledge-based businesses that depend on skilled people who seek beautiful environments and can work anywhere, and educate our young people so that they can easily enter this industry, then Pender Harbour can truly become something special in terms of our young people’s prospects, and of ours.

A more exciting future for Pender Harbour young folk than working in a quarry, surely? A worthwhile aspirational vision for the rest of us to work towards? I would suggest it is. With such potential riches, Pender Harbour does not need quarries. In fact, they are the last things we need, along with the jobs they bring.

David and Linda Pearson


EXPRESSING YOUR VIEWS


Packed attendance at SOSC's public meeting
'width' is a duplicate attribute name. Line 1, position 37.
Here's a sample of comments that members have sent us expressing their views about PPA's proposal:

Fantastic that this movement is growing!  I have lived at the mouth of Homesite Creek on Secret Cove for thirty years and hope for at least fifty more.  I am wlling to do what I can to assist SOSC with this effort. Our coast is imperilled and now is the time to strategize and Save our Sunshine Coast!!  Halfmoon Bay resident.

These commercial interests have to be stopped.  I am as upset over plans in Wood Bay as I am of the ones for W. Sechelt and the Inlet.  It is time for massive non-violent active restistance.  Sechelt resident.

We have vacationed on Thormanby Island at Buccaneer Bay for 51 years and would hate to see the beauty of this region destroyed. The appeal to stop the project must not only be an emotional one but an economic one -- the land is much more valuable as a tourist destination than a gravel pit.  Heaven forbid Wood Bay turns into the mess at Sechelt!  Thormanby vacationer.

I am on the western end of South Thormanby  -- I will be directly affected and the kyacker's B&B my wife and I have been [developing] for 3 years will be dead along with the only great tourist and recreational area left within reasonable distance of Vancouver.  Unbelieveable.  Thormanby business.

I'm very disturbed and outraged about this proposal.  I want to help with phone calls, public speaking, letters, research, and anything else.  Gibsons resident.

I am concerned because this mine will be located at the head of our watershed.  Pender Harbour resident.

I just learned of this and am so shocked... I live very close to the site.  Keep me informed, I volunteer to help in any way.  Halfmoon Bay resident.

I am very unhappy to hear of this proposed deveopment... I have always loved Wood Bay.  I have been coming to the Sunshine Coast for over 20 years of my life.   Sechelt property owner.

NEXT PHASE

To help prevent this new open
mine from coming to our region


A typical open pit mine

SOSC is initiating a comprehensive response plan, based on the resounding success of our May 14th public meeting.  The plan will deliver the next phase of our campaign to defeat PPA's proposal to develop a mining operation in the Caren range and to transport its extractions via a lengthy conveyor belt to a large-scale port facility to be built in pristine Wood Bay, near Secret Cove on the Sunshine Coast. 

Almost nobody in our community except PPA wants this to happen.

We believe the Sunshine Coast is a major tourist destination in Beautiful BC.  We believe the BC government would be foolish to squander the value of sustainable tourism for this area for the relatively short-term gain to be obtained from mining royalties where BC resources are sold undeveloped to a foreign company. 

Increased mining activity has a place in the BC economy, but not on the Sechelt peninsula which already has one very large open mine.

It's time for PPA to re-consider its objectives and options...


VIEWPOINT
Wood Bay from the Highway



We've erected a sign on the roadside at Wood Bay for people travelling the Sunshine Coast Highway to know where Wood Bay is.  With the landowner's permission, we've also cleared away some underbrush so visitors can see into the bay.  At this location, Pan Pacific Aggregates Ltd. proposes to build a conveyor belt running underneath the road to transport limestone and other minerals from new open mines in the Caren range.  The materials will then be loaded onto large freighters from a port terminal to be constructed adjacent to Wood Bay. 

We stand opposed to this industrialization of what is already recognized as an important recreational, ecological and residential area.  Tourism is more important to sustaining the economy of this region than letting a foreign-owned company scar the landscape to ship our natural resources off-shore.  Join us to save our Sunshine Coast.
 

PUBLIC MEETING 
HUGE SUCCESS
See below for speeches 


Residents ask questions at the meeting.

Around 200 people crowded into the gymnasium of Halfmoon Bay Elementary School on Sunday.  They came to hear speakers discuss the potential impact of a proposal by Pan Pacific Aggregates Ltd. (PPA) to industrialize the Wood Bay area in Malaspina Strait just north of Secret Cove.  On behalf of SOSC, chair Ron Brown thanked everyone for coming and encouraged people to take further action to save the Sunshine Coast.


Ron Brown starts the meeting

First speaker was Mike Poole who spent years working as a documentary filmmaker on CBC's the Nature of Things.  He discussed the marine biology of Wood Bay and how devastating a discharge of chlorinated sewage would be to the herring eggs and eelgrass in the area.  Poole also addressed how Panamax freighters would pose hazards to local navigation.  Read Michael's remarks.

Paul Jones, a naturalist and local resident for 40 years, next spoke on the potential impact of the mine in the Caren range on endangered species and natural habitat, in particular the Marbled Murrelet bird.  Read Paul's remarks.

Participants then heard Eleanor Lenz, a property owner since 1970, present a personal perspective on why her family views PPA's mining proposal as ruinous to the family's way of life in the region.  Eleanor stressed this is not just about the impact on her own backyard but about the Sechelt peninsula being the "backyard of everyone" on the Sunshine Coast.  Read Eleanor's speech.

Next, Elise Rudland, who'd been part of the development of the current Official Community Plan for the area, read aloud the list of principles which the plan was based on.  These principles emphasize the non-industrial intent for land use in this part of the coast.  Read Official Community Plan.
 
The final presenter was Kevin Toth, owner of Rockwater Secret Cove Resort (formerly Lord Jim's) and chair of the Sunshine Coast Tourism Association.  He detailed the importance of tourism to the province and the region, especially the growing eco-tourist market which the Sunshine Coast is well-suited to serve.  PPA's proposal, he stressed, "will have a dramatic negative impact on tourism" if allowed to proceed. Read Kevin's speech.


Kevin Toth speaks about tthe impact on tourism.

Ron Brown then fielded a dozen or so questions from the floor from local residents, property owners, and other stakeholders.  One speaker living near the conveyor belt in Sechelt related his family's ongoing difficulties coping with its noise and disruption.  Another, from Pender Harbour, voiced strong concern about arsenic contamination affecting the water supply.  

When closing, Brown urged all present to get the word out to other locals, including seasonal residents: "You know who those are among your neighbours. Phone them to make sure they know about PPA's proposal."  Brown also urged people to write letters to politicans and to sign the petition circulating.  Offers of donations were also gladly accepted, he said, to help with SOSC's costs.

"With your help," Brown stated, "PPA's proposal just will not happen."


BACKGROUNDER
What's all the fuss about anyway? Well, after considerable negative local reaction to proposed shipping via Sechelt Inlet, PPA is now focused on creating a deep-water terminal stretching out into Malaspina Strait from Wood Bay. 

PPA proposes to export minerals to California and elsewhere by constructing a large mine on the Sechelt peninsular and loading the extractions onto ocean-going ships from Wood Bay near Secret Cove on the Sunshine Coast. 

This industrial development will dramatically destroy the natural beauty and environment of the affected area over the opposition of local merchants and residents. 

Click to read detailed background information


JOIN US
Please help us in opposing this development.  While mining and resource-based activities should continue to be explored in British Columbia, these should not destroy tourist and local residential interests when the collateral harm outweighs the short-term gain -- especially where the resulting jobs and wealth creation are largely non-local and out-of-province.

Go to our CONTACT US page to join us and express your views.



Gravel loading terminal in Sechelt.  How long before Wood Bay looks like this?


WHY SHOULD THIS BE PREVENTED?

The Sunshine Coast Conservation Association explains the importance of retaining the natural characteristics of the area...

"A vibrant lifestyle community in British Columbia, Sechelt and the Sunshine Coast are premier tourist destinations and home to more than 27,000 residents. The area boasts a unique and diverse geological landscape, natural biodiversity, old-growth forests, vast wildlife and pristine waterways. Rated the second best place to dive on the planet by Jacques Cousteau, the extraordinary underwater attractions of the Sunshine Coast lure scuba divers from around the globe."