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“Gateway is not a Done Deal; it is a Dumb Deal”
by WCWC Media •
Monday May 12, 2008 at 03:51 PM
Vancouver, British Columbia—TONIGHT, the Wilderness Committee and other community organizations are calling on people to attend a meeting where Delta City Council will consider staff recommendations to extend the environmental review process of a central piece of the Gateway project by five years.
For immediate release – Monday May 12, 2008
“Gateways not a Done Deal; its a Dumb Deal”
Tonight: Citizens to Demand Delta Council Re-Think Projects
Vancouver, British Columbia—TONIGHT, the Wilderness Committee and other community organizations are calling on people to attend a meeting where Delta City Council will consider staff recommendations to extend the environmental review process of a central piece of the Gateway project by five years.
“The public is frustrated because the government has only consulted them in the most superficial way, and people are sick and tired of counter-productive and irresponsible mega-projects,” said Ben West, the Wilderness Committees Healthy Communities Campaigner. “Delta council has an opportunity to do the right thing tonight and add their voice to the chorus building in opposition to Gateway,” said West.
This past Saturday, at a “Spirit of Delta” rally, hundreds of locals lined up in the pouring rain to sign anti-Gateway petitions, with approximately 1000 people signing the Wilderness Committees petition in two hours. People from Delta and throughout the lower mainland are hungry for a real opportunity to hold our elected representatives accountable,” said West. You can see the images here
“Tonight citizens are coming to Delta Municipal Hall to say “no!” to Gateway because it jeopardizes the integrity of Burns Bog and other wildlife habitat, will worsen gridlock in the long run, and ultimately is a disaster for our health and our climate,” said West, adding “Gateways not a done deal; its a dumb deal. And we have to stop it now!”
The proposed South Fraser Perimeter Road (SFPR) and the building of Terminal Two at Deltaport would have massive environmental implications including impact on whale migratory routes, the largest bird estuary in the region, plus significant increases in pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. The Gateway programs own studies show the SFPR could lead to increased cancer rates and other illnesses in the region. The Council report recommendations suggest that port expansion be delayed for five years to study the impact of the smaller scale expansion that has already taken place.
What: Delta Municipal Council will be discussing reports prepared by Council staff regarding the environmental impact of the port expansion at Delta port and the environmental assessment being done before the South Fraser Perimeter Road (SFPR) can be built. Community members and environmental groups will be on hand to show their opposition to the Gateway project.
Where: Delta Municipal Hall, 4500 Clarence Taylor Crescent (at Mountain View Blvd.), Ladner
When: Council Meeting starts at 7 PM, Monday May 12th.
Who: Delta and area residents will be on hand as well as representatives of the Wilderness Committee, Against Port Expansion and the Burns Bog Conservation Society. Council members may also be available for comment.
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For more information, contact: Ben West, Healthy Communities Campaigner | 604-710-5340
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