The Highlands District Community Association (HDCA) announced this week that it has petitioned the BC Government to reject the 2017 Application by OK Industries (OKI) for a strip mine. The petition, conducted over the summer, was tabled today in the BC Legislature by the Highlands’ MLA, Premier John Horgan.
OKI proposes to strip mine the majority of a 65 acre parcel it purchased from the government near the southern boundary of the Highlands. The property borders the Millstream Meadows contaminated landfill that the CRD has, as yet, been unable to completely remediate. The property also borders Coast Environmental’s Highwest TOXIC landfill site. As a community almost entirely dependent on underground aquifers for its drinking water, the risk of any of these contaminants polluting our groundwater, the Highlands’ most valued asset, is not one the community wants to take.
This was clearly expressed in the petition being tabled today. It stated:
“We ask you (John Horgan) and the BC Government to join District of Highlands Council and many Highlands and Langford residents in rejecting this plan. Mining at this scale, location and intensity is totally unacceptable. It has no social license in our communities.”
The petition was signed by 1190 individuals of whom 950 were residents of the tiny Highlands community. Adding to the significance of these numbers is the fact that the exercise was largely conducted on a ‘write-in’ basis.
Scott Richardson, Chair of the HDCA, points out that:
“The land is zoned Green Belt 2 and the District of Highlands, our democratically elected local government, has previously said ‘No’ to a rezoning application by OKI. We know that the courts have ruled that the preferences of local government must be considered by the Province in its deliberations on Mine Permit applications. Therefore, we call on the Ministry to quash this application forthwith.”
The District of Highlands passed a declaration supporting its residents’ right to a healthy environment. More than 10 million people in Canada live in communities where local governments recognize that they should have the basic human right to clean air, safe drinking water and a stable climate.
The proposed mine represents a risk to clean air and drinking water in the Highlands. OKI has not proven that its proposed mine is safe to operate so close to these contaminated sites. Continued mining and crushing operations in the area will add to dust, noise and traffic for Langford, Bear Mountain and Highlands residents.
“The Mine Act seems heavily skewed in favour of industry, so we are standing together in opposition to the OKI Mine Permit Application”, said Richardson. “Ultimately, we believe that local residents should have control over what goes on in their neighbourhood, and in this case local residents don’t want this project” he added.
What can you do? Pick any three of the following:
Sign the new Change.org petition against the mine here: http://chng.it/5Jr9G5CV
Like us on facebook to keep up to date and help spread the word. Our two facebook sites include copies of our recent correspondence: Highlands District Community Association; #NotOK
Continue writing letters to the Minister of Mines and our MLA, copy to District of Highlands Council. The HDCA is writing one letter about every 2 months. If all of our supporters could do the same it would be noticed!
Honourable Michelle Mungall
Minister of Energy, Mines & Petroleum
PO Box 9060 Stn Prov Govt
Victoria, BC V8W 9E2
John Horgan MLA
Langford – Juan de Fuca Community Office
122 – 2806 Jacklin Road
Victoria, BC V9B 5A4
Mayor and Council
District of the Highlands
1980 Millstream Rd.
Victoria, BC V9B 6H1
Please buy or renew a membership in the Highlands District Community Association. The courts will look to our membership numbers to establish our credibility.
1 year single $5.00
3 year single $10.00
Lifetime single $50.00
1 year family $10.00
3 year family $20.00
Please send Your Name, address, contact info and email address with payment to the HDCA 1980 Millstream Rd. Victoria BC V9B 6H1