July __, 2003
The Honourable Robert G. Thibault, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Fisheries and Oceans Canada
House of Commons, Ottawa, Ontario, KIA 0A6
Dear Minister Thibault:
Re: Please Refer the Findlay Creek Project (part of Leitrim Wetlands) to an Independent Public Review under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act
I am writing to urge you to save the Leitrim Wetlands, and protect our health, by referring the Findlay Creek project to an independent public review.
The screening report prepared by your officials on the Findlay Creek project, a key part of the Leitrim Wetlands, fails to give full and credible answers to two key questions:
- Will the proposed storm water system likely fail, draining the Leitrim Wetlands and destroying them? and
- Is it safe for people - including pregnant women, children and the elderly - to live so close to the nearby Gloucester landfill and former special waste compound (owned by Transport Canada) that is leaking 1,4 dioxane and other hazardous substances?
As you know, after a screening when there is real uncertainty about serious environmental effects and widespread public concern, Section 20 of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act requires a public review by independent experts to examine the existing information, weigh the public concern, and analyze additional scientific evidence in order to give reliable and credible answers to these serious questions. It is imperative that these questions be answered now before the project is allowed to proceed and irreversible damage is done.
To repeat: I urge you to refer this project to a public review now so the public can be assured that the Leitrim Wetlands will not be destroyed and to make sure that it is safe for people to live so close to the contaminated landfill which is leaking hazardous substances.
Sincerely,
__________________
c.c. (postage required)
c/o Mr. A Smith (Leitrim Wetlands)
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
401 King St. West
P.O. Box 1000
Prescott, ON K0E 1T0
