Re: (Gazette, Feb. 3)

Recent events in marine science research B次元官网网址� conducted by the Department of Oceans and FisheriesB次元官网网址� own researchers B次元官网网址� have determined that the current proposed multi-billion dollar land-based sewage treatment approach will have a negligible benefit to the marine environment.

Other current studies indicate that sediments in the vicinity of Vancouver outfalls having secondary treatment have higher levels of PBDEB次元官网网址檚 (a chemical compound used a flame retardant) than the naturally processed sediments off VictoriaB次元官网网址檚 two outfalls. Early findings suggest we will likely  do more harm than good to the marine environment by excessive treating, since nutrients required by marine organisms to help break down these compounds would be removed from their environment.

Canada has just made a world leading commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, yet consultants to the Capital Regional District have estimated construction of a treatment system will produce 15,516 tonnes of GHGs, with operation of the system producing 7,917 tonnes annually.

We canB次元官网网址檛 suck and blow at the same time. If we are serious about this, letB次元官网网址檚 start here.

The facts are clear. There is no justification to pursue this multi-billion dollar folly B次元官网网址� harming our environment in the bargain B次元官网网址� and then claim B次元官网网址淥ttawa says soB次元官网网址� as justification. ItB次元官网网址檚 just not true. Prime Minister Trudeau knows this, too, he has gone on record saying so.

What is needed now is good, responsible leadership at the CRD. First, demand that your CRD representatives say B次元官网网址渘oB次元官网网址� to the latest ridiculous, half-baked proposal coming soon from a committee that has already made up its mind what it is going to do B次元官网网址� can you say B次元官网网址淩ock Bay?B次元官网网址�

Second, demand that the CRD put together a Blue Ribbon panel of independent environmental and legal experts, possibly led by ex-environment minister David Anderson, to ask DFO to correct the wrongful B次元官网网址渉igh-riskB次元官网网址� classification for our outfalls by reclassifying them as B次元官网网址渓ow risk.B次元官网网址�

Third, use the next 20 years (since low-risk compliance is required by 2040 not 2020) to let the scientists complete their research and then B次元官网网址� if necessary B次元官网网址� work to modify the flawed federal legislation so it is not forcing taxpayers to spend billions of dollars to harm the environment. Or, if problems are identified, to look for more appropriate low-cost solutions to directly address them.

Paul Scrimger

Saanich