Editor: Re: Two Delta sites make short list, June 19
I have concerns over the proposition to locate an incinerator at any of the proposed sites in the Delta area; in this case, I am definitely a NIMBY.
We are living on a flood plain and have a very good system of dikes; but, for a number of reasons, dikes can and have been known to fail. Also, we can never be sure that natural, cyclical climate changes aren't going to conspire against our infinite wisdom and create a seasonal flood much higher than we ever anticipated. It only takes a small portion of a dike to fail to render it useless, if not harmful.
Do I have to mention the possibility of a tsunami or major earthquake? We are living in an area subject to these natural events, either of which could damage or destroy an incinerator and result in contamination of our environment through the loss of processed materials.
What about air quality? Can we be sure these incinerators are not going to be belching toxic fumes or otherwise damaging our air quality? Personally, I don't trust governments (and certainly not Aquilini, the TFN or Lehigh Cement) to protect our interests on this issue.
All of these factors (plus transportation issues) raise concerns over locating an incinerator on lowlands adjacent to the mouth of the Fraser River. I believe there are much better places for putting an incinerator. If I may, I would like to offer an alternative.
There's a great chunk of land near the corner of 10th Avenue and Cambie Street in Vancouver. It's a piece of ground that should never be subject to flooding or in danger from a tsunami; there's a good road system feeding the site; there's a nearby rapid transit system that could be used to transport garbage in non-peak hours; and finally, there's already so much air pollution coming from the current occupant that nobody would ever notice any additional air pollution emanating from an incinerator.
Just a thought. Paul Mumby
