Some of you may have heard that there is a pipeline being built in town by FortisBC and that they are currently applying for two separate permits to discharge wastewater into Squamish River and Howe Sound. One permit is for the BC Rail site and one for the Woodfibre LNG site.
Both sites currently have contaminated soils and groundwater from past industrial activities and will further have wastewater produced during construction activities. These waters will need to be treated in a Wastewater Treatment Plant to meet regulatory requirements to be discharged in the Squamish River and Howe Sound.
We can hope that FortisBC completes proper treatment of the wastewater, however, after reviewing their permit application I am reluctant we can trust this corporation to protect the water and wildlife of the Squamish River and Howe Sound.
This is one example of why FortisBC cannot be trusted at the BC Rail site: The environmental consultant hired by FortisBC outlined in their report that the “full extent of LNAPL [light non-aqueous phase liquid] and groundwater contamination has not been completed, the interpretation of these results are limited” and “what is not known at this time is the full lateral extent of LNAPL and groundwater contamination.”
The reason for the unknowns appears to be due to the limited sampling conducted during pre-project (baseline) studies.
To top this off, the monitoring plan for the wastewater discharged into the Squamish River and Howe Sound will only be tested weekly to monthly depending on the heavy metal contaminant in the wastewater.
This is problematic as it leaves plenty of room for a lot of contaminants to be discharged in these two water bodies at levels that are toxic to wildlife and humans. [Editor’s note: pH, dissolved oxygen, salinity and temperature will be monitored daily.]
If you fish, swim, paddle board, care about our wildlife, I ask that you please send the template letter in this My Sea to Sky link and customize it to your personal values (deadline Dec. 30). These letters are being sent to the BC Energy Regulator.
The goal of these letters is to improve the project and ensure that FortisBC is held to the highest standards to protect the water and wildlife in the Squamish River and Howe Sound.
Ranya Dube
Squamish
