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News Article
May 10, 2006
Sylvia Cantwell, a member of Citizens Against Strip Mining who has lived on Boularderie Island for more than 50 years, said surface mining is a threat to residents and the environment. "We’ve been fighting this now for 14 months, and the government just keeps saying no and not really giving us a good reason. They just keep saying it has to be done." The group claims the coal is of poor quality and not worth the damage that will be done to the environment. There are more than a dozen potential strip-mine sites. "They will destroy five wetlands on one side of the road in the first project," said Ms. Cantwell. Cape Breton has felt the effects of strip mining before. More than 20 years ago, Point Aconi was mined for coal. The group said there is now acidic leakage from the site that harms drinking water, fishing and farming. Keith and Joan Boutilier have caught lobster off Point Aconi for decades. They say the fishery is still recovering from the last strip mine in the area. Mr. Boutilier points to pictures of bright green water pouring into the ocean where he sets his traps. He said that as a strip mine is dug, the hole fills with water and is eventually pumped out onto the land and into the ocean, eroding the coast and contaminating the water. The Boutiliers haven’t had to move their traps yet, but think they will have to eventually. Water quality is also a big issue for residents. "We are an island completely surrounded by salt water and once you start pumping out a lot of fresh water you can get salt water intrusion," said Mrs. Cantwell. And she said drilling deeper wells isn’t the solution because harmful minerals are typically found in lower water levels. Ms. Cantwell had to drill a new well once before, and she said her water quality is much worse now. "Just one blast that was done on the island — I lost my well completely." But Ms. Cantwell said her group’s biggest fear is that the government has an ulterior motive. "We have a feeling they’re looking not for the coal, but a big hole to put something in, and we’re worried about the cleanup of Halifax Harbour," she said. Strip mines have been used as disposal sites before. Environment Canada’s website says waste from the 1979 Kurdistan oil spill in Chedabucto Bay was disposed of in Cape Breton strip mines until municipalities started to complain. Natural Resources Minister Brooke Taylor told the protesters Tuesday that his department made a commitment to lease the land for mining last year and, as long as all regulations are met, "we do have a mining policy, and quite frankly, we will proceed." Mr. Taylor said the original lease has already been revised, with a three-year moratorium placed on 13 potential strip mine sites in Cape Breton. He said one site will be monitored to "make sure all the best management practices are being employed." |
Protesters holding signs, wearing pins and handing out pamphlets gathered outside Province House in Halifax on Tuesday to protest strip mining in Cape Breton.