Speak Out in Solidarity Partnership for the Sustainable Development of Digby Neck and Islands Society * - - THIS WEBSITE IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION. WE HOPE TO HAVE IT COMPLETED IN THE NEAR FUTURE PLEASE BEAR WITH US THANK YOU. - - * ****AN OPEN LETTER TO ALL WHO VISIT OUR WEBSITE**** Dear Friends: Thank you for visiting our site. We hope the information contained herein is of interest and possibly assistance to those who are involved in a search for direction, guidelines, and other pertinent information. We trust by sharing some of the details of our experience with the mega-quarry battle on Digby Neck, other individuals and groups will benefit from our experiences and successes. Our Site has nine sections (listed to the upper left at the start of each section). HOME Letter to visitors and a thank you to all those who assisted us in our six-year battle to prevent the issue of a permit to mine and export huge amounts of basalt from Digby Neck. ABOUT US Overview of the Society, its Divisions and current activities under each. RECENT NEWS Most recent articles on relevant activities. “THE REST OF THE STORY” We have no wish to enter into a dialogue with those with different viewpoints than our own on this site. There are many other places that provide that opportunity. However, our members often wish to know what we have researched or discovered about provincial mining-related activities. BACKGROUND Overview of the area in which we live: Digby Neck, Nova Scotia. BLUE TARTAN BRIGADE A group of feisty, Senior Ladies who “tell it like it is” by writing and singing songs set to popular tunes. Their songs have drawn attention to some of the ironic factors that must often be addressed by Environmental Groups: e.g. “The Monster Called Process”. ARCHIVES All relevant materials we feel might be of assistance to others or that provide insight into activities necessary to fight Industrialization of eco-sensitive areas. RELATED LINKS To increase awareness of the Environmental Stewardship lacking around our Province and in the Maritimes, we need to “keep in touch” with each other. SITE MAP Details of the items contained in each section. By scrolling down this Home Page you will be able to read our heartfelt thanks to all who were involved. Following that, we have listed the seven recommendations of the Panel. We feel that only “Phase I” has been completed. As our MLA, Harold Theriault, was heard to say: “The battle has been won, but the War has just begun.” No group can undertake a six-year battle against industrialization (fighting Government Departments and Corporate America) without affecting many people and, of course, being greatly affected itself. We find that Harold (Junior) Theriault was correct. We stand at the beginning of an “era of change” where average, ordinary citizens are starting to speak out and are being heard—softly at first but with increasing strength as our numbers grow and our quest for democracy at the community level continues to expand. Ordinary citizens are also coming to the realization that our government owes its people environmental stewardship, and we are determined to make it accountable for its decisions. We trust you will find what you are looking for or at least are able to glean some new ideas or directions for your cause as you access the different sections of our web site. An attempt has been made to give a broad picture of our work over the past six years as well as our vision for the future. If there is specific information you seek such as information from the public registry, please contact us and we will try to assist you. Thank you, and we wish you success in your individual efforts. Carol Mahtab Society Secretary Board of Directors   Marilyn Stanton Society Treasurer Board of Directors The Neck and Islands are “postcard perfect” in so many ways, and we’re happy to share what we have with the thousands of visitors from all over the world who come to appreciate the environment that surrounds us... (Bay of Fundy, from Freeport) - Photo by Christine Callaghan NATURE OF AND FOR THE SOUL Through binoculars Watching Northern Gannets Fundy cruising, rising Plummeting downward from great heights To catch one of a school of herring unaware Spotting spouts of pods of humpbacks In the background, near the horizon This is a special place Not only of nature But for the soul - Don Mullin, Freeport, November 7, 2007 On behalf of The Land, The Sea, The Animals -- all those who have no human voice to communicate, the Society wishes to express their sincere thanks to all who helped to preserve this delicate ecosystem which is known by the name of “Digby Neck & Islands”, but especially to those who: Donated their time and their expertise over several years to critique documents, culminating in technical presentations to the Panel at the Public Hearings in June of 2007. The Groups and Organizations who supported us during the five-year battle, with an extra special thanks to the Sierra Club, Atlantic Canada Chapter, who guided us from the earliest days, held our hand and helped us to discover our best paths. To the people of Digby Neck & Islands who stood in support of all the activities through the last five years, attending meetings and fund-raising suppers and reached deep in their pockets to support what we were trying to do, even though sometimes it appeared to them like a ‘lost cause’. To CARP (Clean Annapolis River Project) who walked by our side through the three years of preparation and research during the Panel Review and their greatest gift to the cause – the time and expertise of Andy Sharpe. Last, but not least, our own ‘Guiding Angel’ – Lisa Mitchell (LJM Environmental Consulting) who went ‘above and beyond’ and was endlessly patient and kind and encouraging to those of us who were struggling with the relentless demands of an environmental issue and trying to work together as a Board Group, when it was often the last thing on earth we really wished to be doing! T H A N K    Y O U ! ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT OF THE WHITE’S POINT QUARRY AND MARINE TERMINAL PROJECT JOINT REVIEW PANEL REPORT OCTOBER 2007 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY, PGS. 4 & 5 1. The Panel recommends that the Minister of Environment and Labour (Nova Scotia) reject the proposal made by Bilcon of Nova Scotia to create the Whites Point Quarry and Marine Terminal and recommends to the Government of Canada that the Project is likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects that, in the opinion of the Panel, cannot be justified in the circumstances. 2. The Panel recommends that the Province of Nova Scotia develop and implement a comprehensive coastal zone management policy or plan for the Province. 3. Because of the special issues associated with coastal quarries, the Panel recommends a moratorium on new approvals for development along the North Mountain until the Province of Nova Scotia has thoroughly reviewed this type of initiative within the context of a comprehensive provincial coastal zone management policy and established appropriate guidelines to facilitate decision-making. 4. The Panel recommends that the Province of Nova Scotia develop and implement more effective mechanisms than those currently in place for consultation with local governments, communities and proponents in considering applications for quarry developments. 5. The Panel recommends that the Province of Nova Scotia modify its regulations to require an environmental assessment of quarry projects of any size. 6. The Panel recommends that the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency develop a guidance document on the application of adaptive management in environmental assessments and in environmental management following approvals. 7. The Panel recommends that Transport Canada revise its ballast water regulations to ensure that ships transporting goods from waters with known risks take appropriate measures to significantly reduce the risk of transmission of unwanted species.
Updated: 2/Apr/2008 © 2008 Partnership for the Sustainable Development of Digby Neck and Islands Society		Top of page