(Please forgive the length of this list – it could have been longer, but we merely wanted to overview for you, how much has been accomplished with your support.$73,849 has been expended by the Society since June of 2002. This money was raised by what some call the ‘bake-sale/church supper’ approach. (This does not include the $5668.00 that was provided by the participant-funding program, for the first round of public meetings.)

THROUGH OUR ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTANTS:

• Petitioned for a panel review to elevate the environmental assessment from a Comprehensive Study to a Review Panel, the most stringent review used in Canada.
  
  

• Networked throughout province, to locate the best possible expertise available to the Society, of experts willing to work with an advocacy group.
  
  

• Organized a workshop for NGO (non-government organization) groups who were interested in opposing the quarry.
  
  

• through our environmental consultants, generated an official, expert assessment of the generic guidelines with complete and Detailed recommendations to make the ultimate guidelines specific to the Digby Neck.
  
  

• Supported community in presenting viewpoints – “Our Neck on the Line” & ‘VEC’s’ (valued environmental components) presentations to the panel

SOCIETY MEMBERS HAVE ADDRESSED THE FOLLOWING GROUPS:

• Town Council, Digby

•  Digby Municipal Council

•  Enviro Clare

•  Digby Board Of Trade

•  Annual Meeting, Council of Canadians, Halifax

•  Standing Committee of Fisheries and Oceans, Halifax

•  Power Point Presentation – Acadia/Wolfville

•  Power Point Presentation – Digby Public Meeting

•  Power Point Presentation – Digby Neck Public Meeting

•  STQ was one of four groups fighting provincial water issues who were invited by the Council of Canadians to participate in the symposium for World Water Day – Halifax, 2006

THE SOCIETY HAS PROVIDED THE HOSPITALITY TO VISITING INDIVIDUALS AND/OR GROUPS.

• Politicians who have visited the site, at the request or invitation of the Society
  
  

• Gulf of Maine Kayakers who studied the Bay of Fundy environs several years ago, interacting with group over a three-day period.
  
  

• Student Groups from St. Xavier, ST. Mary’s Univ. and Anna. Valley High School, providing hospitality and information suitable to the depth of study and interest of the relevant group.
  
  

• Last summer, hosted the lobster chowder dinner and presentations to the International Sierra Club representatives who were visiting Nova Scotia to attend their AGM on the Eastern Shore of N.S.

THE SOCIETY HAS PROVIDED INTERFACE WITH UNIVERSITIES:

•  ACADIA – power point presentation – Janet Eaton 
  
  

•  DALHOUSIE – power point presentation – LJM Environmental Consulting
  
  

•  DALHOUSIE – sequential events list for assessment as potential case study for environmental/law students in spring of 2006.
  
  

•  ST. MARY’S UNIVERSITY &  ST. XAVIER UNIVERSITY — documented materials provided in the form of a ‘progression of events’ scrapbook sent to both universities for use in teaching environmental course, as a ‘case study’

THE SOCIETY HAS PROVIDED ‘A FACE AND A VOICE’ FOR THE COMMUNITY AND THOSE INTERESTED IN PRESERVING IT, MAKING IT POSSIBLE TO GENERATE MEDIA COVERAGE, AND CONTINUES TO PROVIDE INFORMATION AND UPDATE TO PROVINCIAL PUBLICATIONS:

• Focus has been expanded from the presentation of a Little River quarry to the recognition and realization of the potential impact upon the entire North Mountain, from Cape Blomidon to the tip of Brier Island and beyond – i.e. opening the door to industrialization.
  
  

• The perceived magnitude of the projected environmental threat that would be caused by a mega-quarry was well demonstrated by the fact that the Digby Neck Quarry Issue was recognized as one of the top ten environmental issue during the provincial election of 2003. The list was reprinted with suitable commentary from the Ecology Action Centre on the occasion of acquiring a new Premier this year, whose tenure of office will be judged through his effectiveness in dealing with the ‘list of 10’.
  
  

• Evolved a website to update interested persons and members of the society
  
  

• Generates articles for local publications: “Passages, the Long and Brier Island News”, published by the Freeport Community Development Association, and “Hello Digby Neck”, published by the Digby Neck Community Development Association.
  
  

• Provides updates and information to publications such as The Blomidon Naturalist Society, as well as ‘The Sandpiper’ published by the Sierra Club.
  
  

• The Chair of the Society has always been willing to meet with media reps. who wish to do investigative reporting or wish to focus upon the projected devastation to the ecosystem of the Bay of Fundy. This willingness has extended to many a visitor, as well, who could be treated to one of his famous tours of the waterway around the lower part of the Peninsula, from Bay to Bay.
  
  

• The Chair of the Society and his family were featured in the CBC award-winning film: “The Last Weir”, by Tim Wilson.

NETWORKED WITH OTHER GROUPS:

•  NMPG (North Mountain Preservation Group) in Granville Ferry/Annapolis area.

•  EAC (Ecology Action Centre)

•  EnviroClare

•  DNCDA

•  Sierra Club of Canada 

•  Sierra Club, Atlantic Chapter

•  Council of Canadians

•  Council of Canadians, Wolfville Chapter

•  Coastal Communities Network

ACTIVITIES OF THE SOCIETY:

•  Established a membership program and encourages annual renewal of membership.
  
  

• The Society has enabled the Community to best utilize the human resources available to provide stewardship of the land. Through the membership program, eight to ten directors are able to represent the interests and wishes of a membership of four hundred and fifty individuals. Today’s technology provides the Society the capability of very quickly contacting the seasonal residents of the group when support or input is required at the administrative level.
  
  

• The Society is represented by a singing group based on the style of the ‘Raging Grannies’. The group has sung with the Grannies who are willing to perform on behalf of the Society, whenever they are requested to do so to raise funds and/or awareness. The Society’s Group, ‘The Blue Tartans’ provide an excellent medium for making our point in a non-confrontational way, and provide entertainment at fund raising events, where they are well received.
  
  

• Established a reputation for down-home dinners that are well supported, by both local people and tourists.

SUMMARY:

We believe there are two conclusions that must be reached through our list of accomplishments:

First, the Society helped create an awareness of the area by being featured in such publications as the National Post – weekend edition, a three-page spread, complete with pictures and a feature of the Noah Richler Column, Books, National Post.

Secondly, we firmly believe that without your support of the Society, a quarry would be operational today, crushing, grinding and shipping – all disrupting the tranquility and beauty of this fragile Peninsula, we call Digby Neck.

Who’s next?  Article From ‘passages’ & ‘hello Digby Neck’ April, 2006

By Don Mullin

Imagine your surprise upon seeing a strange vehicle with three men inside driving across a property behind your back yard. Further, imagine that upon approaching that vehicle, and asking the purpose of their “trespassing”, they call you by name but you have no idea who they are and only one will give you his name. Finally, imagine that they tell you that they are looking for a road on the property that runs all the way to the Bay of Fundy shore and you suddenly realize that one of the vehicles occupants is at the centre of the proposed quarry on Digby Neck. Upon investigation, you discover that the property in question is a 70-acre, 2-piece lot due to be auctioned off in two days for taxes and fees owing. That’s exactly what happened to a Brier Island resident last week. Frantic calls to the property owners were made and the outstanding amount of taxes and fees owed were paid and the property was “rescued”.

Since then, it has been learned that a person with the same last name as the only person in the strange vehicle mentioned above who was willing to give his name has been making inquiries about another large piece of property offered for sale on the internet in the area of Pea Jack Cove. One need not be paranoid to conclude that Brier Island’s basalt has become attractive to quarry developers.

If you have been following the story of land acquisition in the White Cove area, you will know that the original area controlled by the quarry proponent has expanded from 380 acres to 689 acres (Passages, November, 2005). Since then, the proponent is reported to have shown interest in other properties on Digby Neck and, now, Brier Island? If permission is given to the proponent for a proposed marine terminal at Whites Cove, basalt from anywhere on the Bay of Fundy coast could be barged to the terminal and loaded for shipment from there. When the Stop The Quarry Group said they considered all of North Mountain from Blomidon to Brier Island to be at risk from quarry developers, we weren’t exaggerating. If you are not presently involved in this issue, I suggest you become involved because your back yard might be next.

(Editor’s note): It appears that the area is rife with speculators and carpetbaggers, but there are still those who do not realize that the planned industrialization would alter and destroy the lifestyle we currently enjoy. 

As the article says, if you object to this potential industrialization, now is the time to get involved. One has only to read the daily papers to see that this is happening all across our Province.

ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT CONSULTANTS • Locate expertise to review the EIS (Environmental Impact Statement) • Facilitate the Review through coordination of meetings with experts and NGO’S (Non-Governmental Organizations) • Compile experts’ findings into Society’s official report to Panel. 40 + experts to review EIS for completeness and effectiveness and prepare presentations.		PUBLIC AFFAIRS COORDINATOR • Generate and oversee activities in the three ‘nonacademic’ areas • Encourage public to volunteer and be involved in the process under the direction and guidance of the board exec. and the consultants • Facilitate activities of the ‘Stop The Quarry Coalition’

The Quarry EIS: CAN FAIRYTALES COME TRUE?

By Don Mullin

The 17 volume, 3,000 page Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) has arrived. This article provides a brief description of some of its contents. At first glance, the document appears well written and organized. Unfortunately, the Plain Language Summary is, in parts, anything but plain. I am still trying to figure out what “Construction aggregate operations have been used to enhance recharge via artificial surface recharge” means (and that’s the “plain language” version).

The report paints a bleak picture of Digby Neck/Islands and its future as seen in the following quote: “The area appears to be a community in decline”. Citing another report on communities suffering severe population losses, the report went on to say that “such areas may lose their social and economic viability in terms of maintaining services and supporting healthy, independent communities.” This despite reporting that income among those who file income tax returns “has been on a par with the provincial average since 1999.” In fact, “the area actually experienced somewhat better relative and absolute growth in average income over the period 1989 to 2003 relative to provincial and national averages.” So which picture to believe?

If you accept the bleak picture – not to worry, the proposed quarry apparently is the answer to our woes! Among other effects, the report concludes that not only will the quarry create four significantly positive effects (with no significantly negative effects) but that “projects of this type can be successfully carried out without damaging the environment or causing long-term ecological damage”. So, you “tree-huggers” chill out; go back to sleep; there’s nothing to worry about.

Those involved in tourism will take heart from the report’s comment that “(The) total payroll of $1.2 million paid to 80 workers in the tourism industry is approximately equal to the $1.2 million payroll that will be paid to operate the Whites Point quarry annually.” I guess that means that if we lose all the tourists, we won’t be any worse off because someone else will be making the money tourist operators once did. But maybe we won’t lose our tourists. After all, the Visitor Centre manager at Port Hasting, in sight of the large quarry at Cape Porcupine, says that “they have not heard anyone express a view that the quarry operation has ruined their opinion of Cape Breton….” The manager admits that perhaps 20 people a day make comments “that could concern questions related to the environment. This is especially the case if dust levels are visibly high”.

The proponent paints Digby Neck and Islands as an economy in decline. Fishermen and tourism operators probably wouldn’t agree.

Periwinklers and berry pickers will not be inconvenienced – unless you count getting permission from the quarry office each time you want to visit the site as inconvenience. At this point it is unclear whether lobster fishermen will also need to get permission. The report states that “(R)egistration at the quarry office (will be required) when harvesting in the coastal zone”, although it is unclear whether this is limited to the intertidal area. In fact, lobster fishermen do not get a lot of attention in this report. The developer states they will set up a committee to compensate fishers for loss of traps and gear due to damage from the bulk carriers, but no mention is made for loss of access to their fishing areas for a day or so a week, for the time spent in repairing/replacing gear, possible reduction in catch which the report states may happen, etc.. The safety of fishermen also is ignored in the report. While workers on-site will take cover during blasting to avoid harm from flyrock, no mention is made of the risk to fishermen or non-human species.

Overall, the report states that the proposed quarry and marine terminal will have 70 environmental impacts. Of these, four (4) are significantly positive (terrestrial species at risk, quarry employment – during construction and operation, and municipal tax revenue). Eighteen (18) are rated as insignificantly positive, twenty eight (28) are assessed as having neutral (no) effect, and thirty (30) are assessed as insignificant negative in impact. But wait a second! How do they define significant and insignificant? I’m glad you asked. I quote: “The determination of whether an effect is considered insignificant or significant is based primarily on the level of spatial scale (local, regional, provincial, national/international) and after mitigation measures are considered. Generally, to be considered significant the influence of effect would have to be greater than a regional scale – e.g., provincial or national/international in spatial scale.” (bold added.) In other words, if lobstering in LFA 34 was destroyed, this would have to be considered an insignificant negative effect because it only affected people locally or regionally. On the other hand, the developer’s willingness to protect Glaucous rattlesnake-root plants found on the property is considered a significant positive effect. (In fairness, it must be noted that this plant had not been seen in Nova Scotia for 50 years and was thought to be extirpated - in other words, extinct.) But does it seem right to you that protecting a plant species is considered significant while protecting the income of fishermen is insignificant?

Other effects considered as negative but insignificant include: greenhouse gas emissions (after all its only 4 million tonnes during the life of the project!); sky glow at night, migratory land birds (risk of collision with ship, especially during low visibility conditions); marine mammals and waterbirds – nearshore; marine mammals (including Right Whales) from blasting; tourism; land value; quality of life – environmental; and the list goes on.

Given the definition the developer has used for environmental impacts, it is not surprising that they promote this project as a positive contribution to the community. After all, they say the “…proposed development would contribute to the present sparsely developed industrial coastline.” It would also increase “community cohesion” (after all this “fuss” of environmental review is over). The quarry site will, apparently become a haven for wildlife (some even during quarry operation!). In fact, we should just be grateful overall because, unlike other developments that are occurring (such as campgrounds or cottages), the quarry and marine terminal require an environmental assessment. I wonder why that is?? Oh, ballast water and invasive species? – don’t worry about that. The developer doesn’t consider that their responsibility; that’s up to the carriers. I’ll sleep better tonight.

The “evil opponents” of the proposed quarry (the Partnership for Sustainable Development for Digby Neck & Islands Society) are planning to hold a series of information sessions in local communities. There is much more to comment on than this space would allow. Please attend these sessions to get more of the story.

(This article is reprinted from ‘Passages – The Long and Brier Island News’, with permission).

You can help stop this quarry. Start thinking about what you’d like to say to the review panel when the next round of public hearings are called. We can help you with a presentation. Remember, the public hearings are when you can tell the panel you don’t want Digby Neck blown up to pave highways in New Jersey.

Click here for a PDF copy of the brochure the society has created for distribution on all whale watch boats, tourist accommodations, and other businesses on the Neck and Islands.
  
(get Acrobat Reader here)