August 2004 I would also like to clarify a couple of other items related to your concerns. It is important to note that grav- el pit operators are required, on a biennial basis, to apply to the City of Coquitlam for a Soil Substafice Removal Permit. This permit vali- dates 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 water- course 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 sedi- ment 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 CRATE are continuing with concerted efforts to improve the health of the Coquitlam River. Yours truly, Jon Kingsbury Opinions Our Response to Mayor Kingsbury’s Letter Dear Mayor Jon Kingsbury, I would like to thank you for responding to my letter. However, I am not satisfied with your response nor am I convinced that you are taking the problem relating to the pollution of the Coquitlam River by local gravel companies seriously. } With respect to your letter, it seems that you are admitting there is a problem with gravel companies releasing environ- mentally destructive fines into the Coquitlam River. It also seems that nothing is being done to stop their polluting of the river. First off, you claim that fees paid by gravel operators from F soil substance renewal permits go towards rehabilitating roads used by gravel trucks. This does not interest me whatsoever. My - letter was about the Coquitlam River, not roads. More important- ly, why is this money not going towards the river? You are the Mayor of Coquitlam. You cannot claim that other jurisdictions hold the responsibility of protecting the Coquitlam River when your municipal government is indeed the ultimate authority. City council is responsible for renewing soil removal permits for gravel companies and also has the power to strip their business licenses. In your letter you also claim that gravel pit operators have invested “con- siderable resources” into water clarification and settlement, slope stabiliza- tion and replanting, research on alternative uses for fines and other initia- tives. I can’t help but think that none of these endeavors have put an end to the original problem of polluting fines being released into the Coquitlam River. These investments combined with the Coquitlam River Aggregate Task Force’s (est. 1999) apparent mandate of improving the health of the Coquitlam River seem to be more of a delay tactic as opposed to effectively improving the river’s health. I, as well as many other citizens of Coquitlam, feel that not enough is _ being done to address this problem. My position on this issue is simple. If gravel companies do not in some way cease dumping of fines into the Coquitlam River then they should not have the privilege of operating in Coquitlam. Making the argument that jobs would be lost if gravel companies were shut down is not sufficient enough to justify the continuation of gravel operations. Seventy-two percent of Coquitlam residents hold the opinion that jobs should be sacrificed to save the Coquitlam River (Robbins, 2004). The Coquitlam River is an important symbol of Coquitlam. It reflects poorly on the city and frankly is an embarrassment when its own river is ranked number eight on the top ten endangered rivers in British Columbia list. This will no doubt be an important election issue. The citizens of Coquitlam are calling on you, Mayor Jon Kingsbury, to take charge as Mayor of this great city and deal with this problem in a morally responsible man- net. Sincerely, Mike Wiskar We encourage all those who feel strongly about this issue, or the envi- ronment in general, to visit the official Save the Coquitlam River website at . From there you can click on “Take Action” and send our original letter to Mayor Kingsbury which will help put a stop to this selfish disregard for the environment. Make your voice heard. Remember, change starts with the individual. OtherPress | | 1