Dirty coal – Elaine Thoma , Highway 101
I cannot understand how the coal loading business was booted out of Seattle (for pollution reasons) and has now ended up at Fraser Surrey Docks, to Texada Island and on to China [“Quarry applies to expand storage,” June 26].
Being born and raised in South Wales, United Kingdom, and proud of a coal mining heritage, I know how dirty coal is. The dust floats on water and settles on beaches and coastal areas. Coal ships being loaded in the narrow inlets allow the dust from the coal to blow everywhere. It gets on the trees, homes and surrounding areas. There is no getting away from it. It is a dirty product.
Lafarge can put in all the stormwater management it wants; coal dust still blows into the air and pollutes. We have to decide which is more important, Asian ships coming into our narrow inlets to load the coal for China and polluting our waters or keeping our pristine area for smaller, cleaner, non-polluting businesses.
Why are we having to always fight the big companies who insist on enlarging their businesses, to no advantage to the locals, and their pockets, only to pollute one of nature’s wonders.
Program funds – Coralee Oakes , Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development
On behalf of Premier Christy Clark and the Government of British Columbia, I would like to congratulate the Powell River Regional District on the completion of the accessibility upgrades to Haywire Bay Trail [“School district celebrates wilderness camp, July 3].
This trail upgrade is a wonderful asset to your community and a tremendous benefit for people with mobility issues. Providing accessibility is more than just making smoother pathways. It’s about creating opportunities to participate more fully in life, including the chance to build and strengthen community connections. In fact, when the BC government established the $30-million Community Recreation Program, our aim was to help foster stronger communities by supporting local infrastructure projects that encourage healthy lifestyles for British Columbians of all ages and abilities.
The BC government was pleased to provide a Community Recreation Program grant of more than $67,000 for this trail upgrade. Through the program, we’ve provided grants for 98 recreation projects worth over $70 million throughout BC, to help fund everything from bike paths, trails, fitness facilities and walkways to playgrounds and recreation centres.
I would like to express my appreciation to the Powell River Regional District for its commitment to this project. Beyond providing places for physical activities, recreation amenities boost the economy. They provide jobs during construction and when complete make communities more attractive to visitors and businesses. It’s exactly the type of investment that is helping to make BC communities more vibrant, active and prosperous places to live and raise a family.
