Legal Support to Stop Gravel Pit on Nanaimo River

Lafarge Canada has applied to BC Mines to open a gravel pit on Nanaimo River that borders Boulder Creek. The community of Southforks/ Nanaimo River are very upset and concerned about the operation of a gravel pit in our area and want to put a stop to the pit.

Nanaimo River is one of the jewels of our community! We need to proptect it. 



The community in South Nanaimo desperately need your help to hire an environmental lawyer to put a stop to this potential 50 year gravel pit on Nanaimo River and Boulder Creek.  Please make a contribution.

The property in question at 1975 Nanaimo River Rd, while zoned for resource attraction over twenty five years ago, the area at the time had only 8 homes, now this same area has 80 peoples homes for their families and animals. 

Now Lafarge wishes to open a 10-50 year gravel pit in our community. This proposed gravel pit would be located in a very environmentally sensitive area known for much biodiversity and most importantly adjacent to the Nanaimo River and fish habitat. 

Lafarge proposes to put a rock crusher and operate heavy duty equipent to extract gravel, however these gravel pits are dirty, dusty, and significantly loud impacting the quality of health/ life for local residences but also negatively impacting all the biodiversity and recreation users in the area. 
The problem is that the RDN has allowed people to develop and build their homes, even allowing large forest companies such as Island Timberlands to sell residential plots of land. Our same governments that collect provincial, and regional taxes and development cost charges. Now the RDN says their hands are tied because the property is zoned for resource extraction. 

Its not fair that governments be allowed to collect all this revenue then accept permit fees for a gravel pit to operate in a residential community.

This means Nanaimo River Rd would see an additional 150-200 gravel trucks. This same route is used by children taking the bus, bicyclers, horse back riders, motorbikes, hikers, campers, people going to the river, and outdoor enthusiasts. 

We understand the importance of economy, gravel to build our homes, our roads, and provide local jobs. However, gravel pits should not be located in residential communities bottom line, especially on top of and next to one of our most precious commodities, our water. 

These gravel pits emit harmful dusts such as Crystalline Silica  that are invisible to the eye, yet cause long lasting health issues and very                harmful for the environment. There is no invisible barrier that surrounds these gravel pits. 

The gravel pits are only required to have a 15 meter setback from fish bearing creeks and rivers that have endangered species of fish such as    steelhead and salmon. If our government is so concerned these days with starving Orcas and dying salmon stocks, then we should not be building gravel pits on top of our fish bearing streams and rivers. 

Gravel pit operation are very short sighted economic drivers. As a community we need to be supporting economies that provide sustainability such as tourism and eco tourism. Most of the profits from the Lafarge   gravel pit just leave our community anyways. 
Once the gravel pit is done the areas are left with nothing but a void, a  large hole or desert. 

We live in a world of significant climate change. We now have to worry about forest fires and species of animals of fish becoming endangered.  We cannot mortgage short term large corporate profit for the future of our children, grandchildren and our environment. 

Lafarge has very deep pockets and resources and is used to getting what they want, however our community is supposed to be represented by our government, but at times it appears that our economy trumps long term resource sustainability management and long term sustainable economic drivers. 

If you love Nanaimo River and understand the importance of community and properly protecting our resources such as our water and fish please help us. We are asking for any contribution you can make so we can hire an environmental lawyer and have proper consultation to stand up to Lafarge and put a stop to a gravel    pit on Nanaimo River and Boulder Creek.   Anything helps! 

Other ways you can help is by writing the minister of mines  Michelle Mungall at  [email redacted].ca and Jim Dunkley at:
[email redacted].ca

We need to act soon. Please help!