Speak Out in Solidarity
Partnership for the Sustainable Development of Digby Neck and Islands Society

The original “Concerned Citizens Group” formed in April, 2002, quickly evolved into a fully-incorporated society (Partnership for the Sustainable Development of Digby Neck & Islands Society) by January, 2003.

Following the decisions of both the Provincial and Federal Governments to deny the approval of the quarry and marine terminal at White’s Cove on Digby Neck, the Society is currently moving forward to work on issues related to sustainable development in the Digby Neck area.

The Society is represented at the Offshore Energy Environmental Research Assoc. (OEER) Roundtable which is discussing the development of tidal power in the Bay of Fundy. The focus of interest is the ensuring that any power coming from this form of energy be first used in Nova Scotia and then the Maritime Provinces before any thought is given to the sale and delivery of that power abroad.

The Mining Caucus of the Nova Scotia Environmental Network (NSEN) includes representatives from the Society who are working to ensure responsible practices and public participation in mining and quarrying activities and development in the Province.

  'STQ GROUP" Stop The Quarry

This is a division of The Society, dedicated during the period APRIL 2002 TO JUNE 2007 to stopping the attempt to place a mega-quarry on Digby Neck—a tiny spit of land abutted on one side by the Bay of Fundy and on the other by St. Mary’s Bay. Both Bays ultimately connect with the Gulf of Maine.

To learn how a tiny community in an sparsely-populated rural area stopped an “Industrial Giant” from receiving a permit to operate, please check the archives of this site. Within the archives material is available that can assist any group in need of the knowledge contained therein. Information found there includes (but is not limited to) a. Technical data submitted to the CEAA Public Registry by experts in various fields, b. Private citizens’ expressions of their love for the area and c. Challenges by members of the STQ regarding the inadequacy of as well as “erroneous facts” found in the EIS (Environmental Impact Statement) prepared by the proponent. 

This is an unfinished task. Only Phase I has been completed. Until community involvement and participation becomes an integral part of the EIS process to consider any and all industrial requests for industrial permits and until an acceptable Coastal Policy as been established and securely implemented, the work of the Society needs to continue.

You also may read the section under the “Recent News” section to see what is currently happening. This includes information regarding Bilcon’s recent publicized intentions to sue the Federal Government under NAFTA.

The Society is proud to have received an Eco-Hero award from the Nova Scotia Environmental Network for the work done on the quarry & marine terminal proposal at White’s Point, Digby Neck.

SOS SNOWBALL - "SPEAK OUT IN SOLIDARITY"

(A Division of The Society, inaugurated NOVEMBER, 2007)

This is a newly-established (as of November, 2007) grass-roots movement which is gaining momentum. Its purpose is to encourage all NS residents to “assist” the government in its role as ensurer of “environmental stewardship” in the area of mining in this Province. Examples follow:


STRIP MINING—Point Aconi. The government has blatently demonstrated disdain for the people and their environment. The government needs to do less “facilitating the mining community” and become more involved in “monitoring and regulatory” activities. In addition, they must NOT lift the moratoriums on the other 13 potential strip-mining sites in Cape Breton until the Communities have had a chance to be heard and an independent public review is held on the entire issue.

MOOSE RIVER GOLD MINE—As usual, the Community had no input in the early stages. The big worry is the far-reaching affects of the long-term use of cyanide and arsenic as well as damage or destruction of the wetlands. Recent news items illustrate how Bilcon is using this as an example of “unfair treatment” as it took Moose River Gold Mine only months to receive their permit—while it took Bilcon years before learning they would not receive a permit. 

URANIUM BAN—At a recent public meeting in Chester, NDP environment critic Graham Steel said that as it stands, the moratorium is an order of cabinet, not law, which means the government can rescind it without taking the issue to the floor of the legislature for debate. “They could, with the stroke of a pen, revoke the moratorium tomorrow,” Mr. Steele said.

The Society is represented in the Mining Caucus of the Nova Scotia Environmental Network (NSEN).

• The Mining Caucus (a coalition of individuals and community groups from around Nova Scotia) addresses issues regarding mining practices in Nova Scotia, particularly with respect to some of the recommendations from the Panel’s Report on the White’s Point quarry/marine terminal project.
  
• Members of the Caucus hope to present the Provincial Government with a blueprint for facilitating the safest and most environmentally friendly mining practices following the principles outlined in the new NS Environmental Goals and Sustainable Prosperity Act (EGSPA). In the Act, the Province states that it will “adopt strategies to ensure the sustainability of the Province’s natural capital in the areas of forestry, mining, parks and biodiversity by the year 2010.”
  
• The time has come to join forces to bring attention to the need for more public participation and responsible overseeing of proposed projects on the part of both the public and government in the environmental review process. The Mining Caucus has conducted monthly teleconferences, the most effective and efficient way for greater participation.
  
• The NSEN Mining Caucus will welcome any individual or group with similar concerns and interest.

For more information, contact Gretchen Fitzgerald, Caucus Chair