[All] Super event!

[keller0 at unbc.ca]

A data base somewhat of this nature already exists, "ERIS." Where I work
it is used for assessing potential contaminants of concern when properties
are applying for a Record of Site Condition and for investigating what to
sample for when beginning an environmental remediation process.  I don't
use it personally, so I can't describe everything that it covers, but
check out the web site and see if it has any details.  I don't know if you
need any credentials in order to be able to register to use ERIS or not...
 If I have a slow day today I'll ask around a little to see what I can
find out for you.

Linette

> Hi everyone
>
> First off, Susan you are absolutely right. We need to talk to other
> communities
> to join forces on this one.
>
> Whether it's gravel pits, water taking permits or smog emissions, the
> baseline
> issues creating the largest risk is the absence of data on the large
> scale. We
> need to establish a computerized program specifically designed to gather
> the
> data on all existing water, quarry and pollution discharge permits (and/or
> proposed permits) and start realistically looking at risks associated with
> cumulative impacts on communities.
>
> In absence of this system at the provincial and federal level, I think the
> first
> step we could take is to encourage our own region to take the initiative
> to
> gather this data at the local level in order to plan our community and
> identify
> risks. I'm certain this could be funded by the Federation of Canadian
> Municipalities Green initiatives funding to help build the first model. We
> are
> after all, the tech capital of Canada! If we approach the Federation of
> Canadian
> Municipalities about establishing this system as part of a larger program
> registry for all municipalities to record their data we can start to build
> the
> solutions we need to see from the ground up.
>
> Makes sense to me seeing that health care costs are assumed at the
> Regional
> level. They have more of an incentive to do this seeing that they (*aka US
> regional taxpayers) are the ones assuming the externalized costs of
> pollution.
> Where problems are identified, we can then reasonably work in solutions to
> remedy.  If we had such data, it would sure make supporting the LRT easier
> don't
> you think?
>
>
> Lulu
>
>
>
>
> ________________________________
> From: Susan Koswan <dandelion at gto.net>
> To: gren <all at gren.ca>
> Sent: Thu, April 7, 2011 9:15:12 AM
> Subject: Re: [All] Super event!
>
>
> It was Lulu. Well done and a big thank you to you for bringing this issue
> to our
> attention and organizing it. This is a landmark case that can have very
> far-reaching impacts on industrial pollution. I’ve sent Justin an email
> this
> morning with a few ideas and questions about how we can broaden the
> support by
> bringing in other communities affected by industrial pollution. The
> Aamjiwnaang
> may be the worst, but they are not alone in being affected by toxic
> industrial
> trespass.
>
> Susan K
>
> From:all-bounces at gren.ca [mailto:all-bounces at gren.ca] On Behalf Of
> Louisette
> Lanteigne
> Sent: April-07-11 12:24 AM
> To: all at gren.ca
> Subject: [All] Super event!
>
> Hi folks
>
> I just wanted to send my thanks to all the folks who came out this evening
> for
> the Pollution Vs. Human Rights event, I thank John for hosing and I'd like
> to
> thank GREN executives for making this event possible. Our guests gave
> excellent
> presentations that touched upon so many issues. Some of the highlights
> include
> the following points:
>
> -There is no expiration on pollution emission permits.
> -There is no consideration given to cumulative impacts when several
> permits are
> issued within the same area.
> -The province does not keep records on what activities they have
> permitted. When
> concerns arise, it's up to each company to present their permit.
> -The province states they have no jurisdiction on aboriginal lands because
> it's
> a Federal Issue.
> -The Federal government doesn't get involved in emission concerns on
> reserves
> because they state it is a Provincial concern.
> -In cases of illegal dumping, neither the Federal Government nor the
> Province
> gets involved because it's on aboriginal lands. This means aboriginal
> communities are basically left to fend for themselves. This complicates
> issues
> regarding who's duty it is to clean up environmental spills etc.
> -The placement of factories appears to be situated in a location which
> exploits
> the fact the adjacent lands are home to aboriginal communities. (Less
> constraints because their neighbours downwind are not living on either
> Federal
> nor Provincial lands)
> -The permits are not subject to planning legislation because they are
> often
> signed by ministers in processes that exclude public participation. It is
> literally between industry and government. No public say.
> -Because lands are designated industrial, there are no planning processes
> for
> expansion of projects in these areas.
>
> -They have used the Environmental Bill of Rights to secure a request for
> review
> but their process has taken two years so far without any tangible results.
>
> -Ada Lockridge and Ron Plain are the only two members of the community
> spearheading this effort. The rest of the community cares of the issue but
> feel
> torn by the fact that so much of the area relies on the refineries for
> their
> jobs and pensions. Because many worked for the companies they bought into
> the
> corporate rhetoric that everything is fine, that the problems are taken
> care of.
>
> -The processes being done at the refineries adjacent to their reserve,
> includes
> the removal of sulfate from gas products. Instead of allowing sulfate to
> burn
> out of tailpipes, they simply discharge it into the air in large volumes
> at this
> location instead.
> -The toxicity of the refineries increases during times of power outages
> because
> the protective filtration systems won't function without electricity.
>
> I had taken a couple of group shots of the guest speakers but when I got
> home,
> my data card malfunctioned and I lost the photos. I was able to see the
> photo on
> my camera but when I tried to copy them it appeared as an empty file then
> I
> wasn't able to find them again.  None the less,  if anyone else took
> photos that
> evening, please forward them along to me.
>
>
> Thanks!
>
> Lulu :0)_______________________________________________
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