Help Protect Langely's Drinking Water

On this coming Saturday, April 18th from 9AM to 1PM, please attend an OPEN FORUM at Murrayville Hall, located at 21667 48th Avenue in Langley

Environmental experts will be on hand to help everyone bettter understand the impact mining at Brown Road Pit would have on the Hopington Aquifer and our drinking water.

Political representitves will be on hand to listen to your concerns and answer your questions.

Please attend and make your voice heard, and help protect the Hopington Aquifer and Langley's drinking water.

If you would like more information, please call (604) 530-6106

Letter to Editor - April 7, 2009

'GRAVEL' OR 'DRINKING WATER'
Provincial Government Decision Looms For Opening Brown Road Pit

Dear Editor;

Our Langley neighborhood awaits the decision by the Provincial Government on plans to re-open and expand Brown Road Pit for 1,000,000 plus cubic metres of gravel for the Gateway Project, right in our own backyards. There are approximately 55 private water wells within 450 meters of the planned gravel mine. This plan has probably been in the works for years, but our neighborhood only became aware of the proposal early last summer through activity on the property and an article in our local newspaper. Our neighborhood has been working diligently for many months to stop the proposed gravel mine and save our drinking water.

In the Provincial Legislature on March 24 & 25, 2009; MLA & Opposition Environmental Critic, Shane Simpson asked the Minister of Environment, Barry Penner; "Will he commit today that he will not approve of gravel extraction from Brown's Pit and will protect the integrity of the community's drinking water". Minister Penner's reply was:"I'll be pleased to investigate this matter and take the question of notice". Upon further pursuing this environmental issue regarding the sensitive Hopington aquifer and that we do not have a Plan B for drinking water; Mr. Simpson then directed questioning to the Minister of Transport who is behind this proposal, asking him to do the right thing & withdraw this proposal around the Brown's Pit gravel and say to our community that he will find his gravel somewhere else, not jeopardize our water source and back off his proposal. Again, Minister Penner's reply was:"As I've already indicated, I'll look into this matter. Since the member has not seen fit to bring it to my attention before today, I will endeavour to investigate this matter".

Obviously, Minister Penner does not acknowledge receiving the following regarding Brown Road Pit & our Hopington aquifer:

1) January 16,2009
Bill & Elizabeth Mozell delivered in person to Minister Penner's constituency office in Chilliwack, a 27 page petition with cover letter. (The same item also delivered to Minister Falcon & Minister Coleman)

2) January 30,2009
Karren Winther & her husband, Nick Constantino e-mailed Mr.Penner on this matter.

3) February 10,2009
Dr. B. Moats sent a letter to Mr. Penner on this issue.

4) March 12,2009
Karren Winther & Nick Constantino, again mailed an extensive information package to Mr. Penner on this issue.

What did we all receive from our Minister of Environment? "NO REPLY".

To the Minister of Environment, the Honourable Barry Penner and his government's plans for expansion and re-opening of Brown's Road Pit; the matter is plain & simple; this is an 'ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUE'. For the minister to deny (and that is stating it mildly) any knowledge or refuse to respond in the legislature to this serious environmental matter is an insult to the people of our community and the Province of B.C.

We have not heard a whisper from Mr. Penner to this day and I find his lack of interest, input or comments to be unacceptable for a Minister of Environment. Perhaps, he is restricted by an internal government 'gag order' or his ministry is under the direction & control of the Minister of Transportation.

Members of our neighborhood delegation met with our MLA, R.Coleman on Dec 10, 2008; NO REPLY.

The petition and cover letter delivered Jan 19,2009;NO REPLY.

Finally, on Feb 16, 2009 an ambiguous letter & local newspaper announcement that no gravel will be extracted if there is risk to the aquifer.

Our neighborhood delegation met with MoT, Minister Falcon, Deputy Minister K. Blasetti & G.Dawson (Project Director-Gateway Project) on March 6,2009.

We were all made aware that Mr. Falcon's decision on gravel mining from Brown Road Pit will be based on "FACTS" from a hydrogeological assessment by EBA Engineering Consultants Ltd.; the governments firm of choice. Mr. Falcon also made it very clear that the residents of West

Vancouver went to Provincial Court over a project that affected trees and wildlife. He stated that the provincial government won that case.

Minister Falcon; we are not dealing with trees or wildlife. We are trying to protect our drinking water, private wells and the fragile Hopington Aquifer.

Last year, September 22, 2008, EBA Consulting sent a report to the MoT with the results of a desk-top study and a site visit to document potential surface and groundwater issues associated with the property on Brown Road. From this report; quote: "The above-referenced 'Map of Groundwater Vulnerability' identifies that the Hopington Aquifer underlies the Property area. The Hopington Aquifer is considerd by B.C. Ministry of Environment (MoE) to have "very high" rating with respect to its vulnerability for being contaminated from surface sources.

Without having started the project and removing 1 shovel full of gravel; Mr.Falcon's facts will be based on the data from 5 (MoT) monitoring wells:
a) present level of water table
b) present quality of water
c) present direction of water flow

It is difficult to imagine that Mr. Falcon will base his decision on these facts before a hole approximately 800'x500'x(50'-100'deep) is even started.
Minister Falcon, you will inevitably contaminate our drinking water, ruin our private wells, damage the sensitive Hopington aquifer and destroy the neighborhood we cherish & enjoy so much.

To Premier Campbell, Minister Falcon, Minister Coleman and Minister Penner;
Your decision should be based on only 2 of the 4 choices:

YOUR GRAVEL OR OUR WATER

DOLLARS & CENTS OR COMMON SENSE

Proposed site for Gravel Mine at Brown Road Pit

THE PLANS FOR REOPENING & EXPANSION OF BROWN ROAD PIT BY OUR PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT
MUST STOP NOW!
240th Street & 68th Avenue-Langley

· The proposed gravel mine sits over the most sensitive & fragile areas of the over-pumped Hopington aquifer. The water table of our aquifer is dropping at an alarming one foot per year.
· Approximately one-third (1/3) of the land was mined previous to 1963 & then permanently closed. Residential development began in the early 1970's with private wells drilled and homes being built on various acreages. We have 50 to 60 residences in the immediate area today wholly dependent on our aquifer for water as are thousands of other local residents.
· The Provincial government plans to expand beyond the abandoned pit and also develop an adjacent pasture approximately 750' x 450’, digging 50' to 100' down for their estimated 1,000,000 + cubic metres of gravel. If this plan proceeds, it will result in the largest gravel pit that Langley has ever witnessed and right in our own backyards.
· We have no other options for drinking water as the township of Langley has assured us that there are no plans of bringing city/municipal water to this area for at least 10 to 15 years.
· It is common knowledge that open pit mining for gravel near private drilled wells will inevitably affect the quality and quantity of drinking water.
· Gravel pits leave a long-lasting negative impact on the environment.
· Case studies have proven that open pit mining for gravel (ground vibrations) & later pit filing results in unacceptably high increased levels of arsenic & phosphorous in drinking water & fish bearing habitat. (Coghlan Creek & Salmon River run along three perimeters of Brown Road Pit).
· There are other sources of gravel to facilitate the provincial governments’ needs. Companies like Heidelberg and Lehigh under the umbrella of Lafarge have many sources of gravel throughout the Fraser Valley East. There is also Valley Gravel, Mainland Gravel & Rempel Bros.
· Gravel can be barged down the Fraser River for a fraction (1/20) of the cost of trucking. The Provincial government wants to further develop Brown Road Pit due to its proximity to the Gateway Project.
· The Provincial Government’s only goal: Save money today at the expense of our incredibly valuable and fragile Hopington aquifer, our drinking water, our property values and our community.

We are concerned & care about our drinking water.

We ask for your support to protect our drinking water

Letter to Editor - Mining Brown Pit

The BC Liberal government proposes to “Rape Mother Langley” but promises to study it first.

The proposed mining of Brown Pit in Langley Township for provincial Port Mann and freeway construction gravel is an unconscionable act which cannot occur without every aspect of community, water safety and environmental integrity being devastated. This is in spite of a long standing moratorium on gravel extraction in the Township of Langley.

Our community group has just learned that “the plan” calls for 1 million cubic yards of gravel removal. This makes their claim of no damage to the aquifer, water quality and community and leaving this ALR land in improved agricultural shape when finished an untrue statement. Let me explain:

Let’s put size in context:

My home is a 6.4 acre lot bordering the south 700 feet of Brown Pit (the area that still has gravel). The foot print of 1 million cubic yards is 1/3rd the volume of the Gizza Pyramid whose base covers 13 acres (exactly double my lot) and attains a height of 450 ft. So the ground footprint of the excavation of my north border would be 700 feet long and 400 feet wide (the pit itself isn’t that wide so it would have to go deeper than the 50 – 100 ft deep to round out to 1 million cubic yards. This is a frightful image.

The damage to the Hopington aquifer would be stunning. All the oil and other toxic material dripping from machinery would travel for miles in the gravel (any one remember Walkerton). The gravel is God’s water filter and with the extraction the gravel would be gone. The natural filtering process destroyed – the damage incalculable.

I have questions and so should you all.

If the provincial government is so incredibly comfortable turning their back on fair play on the Cambie Street corridor and in Delta – would we expect to be treated differently? Should we be comforted by “we’ll do a study” (surveying for the freeway ramp is done as are 4 test wells). Is surveying part of the pre-study process? Do they as we suspect consider this a “done deal”.
With a gargantuan hole 700x400x50-100 feet deep does anyone believe that they will “restore it for agricultural use”? That is being economical with the truth – more precisely a lie. Such a fill project would be virtually impossible – whose quality soil would they steal to fulfill this pipedream?
We recently (last 2 years) were subjected to the filling of part of the old pit. They hauled for weeks making our roads unsafe and dumping illegal material (hog fuel) into the old pit. They contaminated adjacent wells (hog fuel) and when finished it didn’t make a dent in the old gravel evacuation space. Restore to agricultural use indeed!
Is the ALR protecting our bread basket or are they a thinly veiled Liberal rubber stamp? We’re told that this project has preliminary ALR approval – how can that be possible if anybody is doing their job or had a functional conscience.
Our group is methodically gathering facts and information and the more we gather (1 million cubic yards) the more frightened and outraged we become.

Many people are concerned about this issue. Many more facts are still hidden from us but we will find them. Meanwhile I will not stand quietly and idly by while unprincipled people in government without a conscience commit a premeditated Rape of Mother Langley.

Letter to Editor - Is the ALR Asleep?

There must be some unexplained backroom shenanigans going on with the Provincial Government ALR relationship.

Both the Glover Road overpass and gravel mining of Brown Pit have received preliminary approval. Is this bullying? Is this bribery? Is this political payoff? It certainly is neither valid nor legitimate.

Brown Pit mining would not only endanger but damage the overstressed and large fragile Hopington aquifer. An easy preview of what will inevitably happen is the Stokes Pit history. The government had their way, contaminated the water supply, and devastated the community.

Glover Road overpass design seems to purposely and maliciously impose a large S curve in BC’s historic and fertile Hudson Bay Farm. This will finish it off as useful agricultural land. It is obviously designed to pave the way for real estate and industrial development.

How is it possible for this august body, the ALR, who usually turns down every proposal often protecting useless non-arable land just as a matter of principle, and here they roll over for Kevin Falcon and his cohort of bullies.

Interestingly the commission decisions are also unappealable. I assume that also means that they aren’t required to answer to me or other citizens regarding their unconscionable conduct outlined above.

We are a first world country. We are theoretically a democracy. Could anybody in a position of authority in the ALR give a credible, honest explanation for this complete miscarriage of justice and fairness?

Letter to Editor - Coleman, Falcon and Campbell Want to Give Us a Third World Water Supply

Our neighbourhood just received a personal letter from Rich Coleman telling us, “If there is any risk identified to wells and drinking water, no gravel will be extracted from Brown Pit.” This is a thinly veiled attempt to stop our concern during the election run up. They go on to say that “a full and complete public process including extensive neighbourhood consultation will take place.”

There is no way to mine Brown Pit without damaging the very sensitive Hopington aquifer. As an aside, the aquifer has a much larger footprint than the government admits to.(It’s politically wise that Langley citizens don’t know how many of them are dependent on it). The percolation rate is so fast that anything spilled travels forever. The steep downgrade to the nearby Coglan Creek and Salmon River dictates that everything will end up in these waterways.

Well drillers tell us gravel mining will change pH and mineral content of the water. The drilling and mining process increases mineral concentration like arsenic.

The project will last 10 years or more. The likely plan is to dump refuse from Willoughby development in the hole and thereby contaminate whatever of it they haven’t ruined by that time.

Look at Stokes Pit if you want to foretell the future here. Contaminated fill, dead horses, dry wall, manure, and animal waste was used. A large area there now has unusable wells. Real estate is affected, farming operations are compromised.

If Rich Coleman’s letter is sincere he would publicly cancel any government plan to mine Brown Pit because every aspect of the mining will not endanger but damage our wells and drinking water.

As it stands it appears that Coleman and bully boy Falcon want to re-establish Langley as the “Brazil of the North”.

Globe and Mail Article

Recently the Globe and Mail did a great article regarding the impact on Langley's water if Brown Road Pit is opened to mining and gravel extraction.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20090326.BCLANGLEY26/TPStory/?query=Langley+Boiling+over

Letter to R. Coleman, M.L.A. - 02/10/2009

Mr. R. Coleman, M.L.A.
February 10, 2009
(Fort Langley-Aldergrove)
Suite 101-B, 27336 Fraser Highway
Aldergrove, B.C. V4W 3N5

Dear Minister Coleman;

I attended a meeting with three neighbors at your Constituency Office on Thursday, Dec 11, 2008 to discuss the Brown Road Pit proposal to open a new mine for gravel extraction. You stated at that time that you would contact your colleagues and get back to us. No Reply!
I delivered a two page cover letter and a copy of our petition (with hundreds of Township signatures opposed to your governments proposal) to your Constituency Office on Monday, Jan 19, 2009. No Reply!
The same letter and a copy of the petition was also delivered in person on Friday, January 16, 2009 to the Constituency Office's of the Minister of Transport & Infrastructure, K. Falcon and the Minister of the Environment, B. Penner in Cloverdale and Chilliwack respectively. No Reply!

Mr. Coleman; you are our 'ELECTED' representative in Fort Langley-Aldergrove. Why do you continue to fail to respond to our requests for further dialogue and definitive replies regarding this serious environmental issue. You are a long time Township of Langley resident; likely with a private well. You must be fully aware of the serious impact the open mine gravel pit will have on our very sensitive Hopington Aquifer and entire neighborhood. Do you not realize that it is your duty and responsibility to represent the needs and concerns of your constituents first; not those of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transportation and bureaucrats. How can the Gateway Project, that will in all likelihood end up costing 5 plus billion dollars be a trade-off to save perhaps 20 million dollars on gravel? Again, this makes no sense at all considering there are other alternatives available. How and why did the Agricultural Land Commission basically rubber-stamp your request to proceed, subject to your own environmental study.

On Dec 11, 2008; I felt that our meeting was one of mutual respect and honesty as we expressed our many concerns with you. We expected the same from you in the form of a reply.
Unfortunately, I feel that regardless of the results of your environmental study, which is due in the spring and probably after the May 12, 2009 Provincial Election; that this proposal may possibly be another Provincial Government "DONE DEAL". Please tell me that this is not so!!! With the deafening silence we receive from you and your colleagues; this is yet another example of your governments lack of humility and respect to the voting public.

I feel that our politicians, from all levels of government should say what they mean and mean what they say. Citizens need to know that their politicians care about them, that we are being told the absolute truth and that there is no project that is greater than the importance of our environment and our neighborhoods.
It is imperative that you support our concerns and stop this proposal. Convince your colleagues that common sense should prevail and that Mr. Falcon's gravel should not come from one of the most sensitive areas of our Hopington Aquifer.

Should you find the time; ask Minister Falcon and Minister Penner if they have received my letter and petition on Jan 16, 2009. Does Premier Campbell condone this type of policy: "Say nothing and maybe they will go away". Communication with citizens would certainly demonstrate a degree of class, respect and compassion regarding their concerns.

Sincerely

**************************************************

On February 13, 2009, the Hon. Rich Coleman MLA for Fort-Langley-Aldergrove responed to this letter. In summary, Mr Colemean acknolwedged the need for "improving infrastructure like the Port Mann Bridge" but also noted that these sorts of initiatives should "not be pursued at the expense of our evnvironment or quality of life". Mr. Coleman also commented that he received a commitment from the Minister of Transportation, Hon. Kevin Falcon, that "if there is any risk identifed to wells and or drinking water, no gravel will be extracted from Brown's Pit.

Letter - Langley Mayor & Council - 01/19/2009

Mayor R. Green & Council
January 19, 2009
Township of Langley
20338-65 Avenue
V2Y 3J1



Your Worship & Councilors;



I have resided in the Township of Langley for 34 years within close proximity to the Brown Road Pit (240th. Street & 68th. Avenue) where the provincial government has a proposal in place to develop an open mine to extract gravel for the Gateway and other projects. My home, our entire neighborhood and thousands of other private well owners depend wholly on the Hopington Aquifer for our most valuable resource: 'WATER'. We all have many serious concerns regarding this proposal as it will undoubtedly have a major negative impact on our private wells, our neighborhood and serious environmental implications.

Last year, The Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure (MoT) submitted a soil removal permit application to the Township to mine and extract gravel from the provincial land. The MoT had a hydro geological engineering company installed 5 monitoring wells along the perimeters of the proposed site. Two test wells monitor the quality of water and three wells monitor the depth. Surveyors have recently been on sight along the perimeters of the property. The proposal is subject to the Agricultural Land Commission and Township of Langley approvals.

There has been a Township 'MORATORIUM' in place for almost 20 years, rejecting all applications for new gravel extraction.

The provincial land in question is a field in pasture with two smaller abandoned pits to the east developed during the construction of Highway #1 in the 1960's. This upland property from William's Park, where the proposed pit and our neighborhood is situated is similar to a plateau. The area is surrounded to the north by the freeway; dropping off in the east and south down to Coghlan Creek and from 240th St. dropping downhill to the west; Williams Park & the Salmon River. The area has been flagged by the Salmon River Enhancement Society, Doug McPhee, as one of three areas with serious dropping water tables. The Langley Times-Nov 7, 2008; 'Water Issues are Serious, Ongoing'; quote; "Dropping water tables in the surrounding area (Milner, Aldergrove and the area around the freeway at 240th. Street) drain water from the Hopington Aquifer."

The dropping water table and water quality has become a provincial concern with the B.C. Government allowing Langley to act as a test case for new provincial groundwater measures. The Township of Langley, Ministry of Environment, and the Ministry of Agriculture and Lands prepared in May, 2008 a draft report for a Township Water Management Plan. This is very difficult to understand from a taxpayers perspective in that there has probably been substantial resources of time and money invested by the provincial government with the Township to prepare this plan yet senior government continues to move forward with their proposal to open a mine for gravel extraction in a highly sensitive area of our aquifer. This does not appear to be a senior level of government working responsibly and cooperatively as a team with the Township for a common goal: to manage, conserve and safeguard the Hopington Aquifer from further drainage and abuse. The provincial government should be working together with our Township to resolve the problems that presently exist and enforce effective policy to protect the groundwater for our future.


The already 'OVERPUMPED & FRAGILE' Hopington Aquifer that supplies 80% of water to the Township cannot continue to sustain further drainage and mismanagement. With the groundwater level dropping one (1) foot per year; the next 5 to10 years looks increasingly grim for private well owners and the aquifer in general.


I would like to address the Brown Road Pit proposal from a neighborhood point of view. The private wells in our area will inevitably be effected; both the quality of our water and the quantity available to us from the aquifer. The negative impact on our wells will likely occur immediate for some and probably later for others. We will be facing costs upwards of $25,000.00 to drill new wells and there is no doubt that our property values will drop considerably and possibly never recover. Many, many years of noise pollution and air pollution will be continuous by-products of this project in a suburban residential and farm area. Water levels seasonally in Coghlan Creek are almost immeasurable & unable to sustain proper fish and other species habitat.


The location of this proposal is a convenience and a cost-cutting measure by our B.C. Government resulting in future expenses and stress to the residents in our neighborhood. Regardless of what the geological engineers, hydrogeologists, project directors and administrators in the field may tell us; common sense indicates an inevitable negative impact on our water supply. No one can guarantee that when the landscape is disrupted with a massive excavation of this magnitude that there will not be both short term and long term environmental problems. I am sure that if a proper risk assessment was completed regarding this proposed project; all the negative implications to our area would certainly out-weigh the MoT's need for thousands of metric tons of gravel.
The development of an open pit mine in our backyard by the provincial government solely for the purpose of keeping their costs minimal and the transportation time down is not acceptable considering the serious consequences. This proposal is in the wrong place, at the wrong time and for all the wrong reasons.


Should this project proceed; who will step forward to offer full compensation to the working families, pensioners and seniors in the area? Our provincial government? Not likely! That would be wishful thinking and years of broken promises.

In December, 2008, we had a meeting with our local M.L.A., Minister R. Coleman. We addressed numerous issues regarding the proposal for Brown Road Pit but he was unable to answer many of our questions and our concerns. We are still waiting for a reply as he was to contact his colleague, MoT, Minister K. Falcon


I have written a detailed letter to the Minister of Transport & Infrastructure, K. Falcon; Minister of Environment, B. Penner and our MLA, Minister R. Coleman opposing the development of this gravel mine; asking them not to proceed with the proposal. I requested that they seriously consider and utilize other options. There are definitely many other existing sources of gravel for their project. With their letters, I enclosed a copy of our petition signed by the residents in our neighborhood and hundreds of other concerned citizens who oppose this proposal and depend on the Hopington Aquifer as their only source of water.

This past week our delegation had a conference call with the Assistant Deputy Minister of the Gateway Project and his Project Director from Victoria. Another member of our delegation will make a brief presentation to Council regarding that call. My own personal impression of the conference call is that they do not really know what will occur should they proceed and did not have answers to many of our concerns and questions.

Regarding the Agricultural Land Commission and their approval of this proposal; it is our understanding that on Nov. 7, 2008; three days before the Nov 10, 2008 all candidates meeting on the environment sponsored by the S.R.E.S. and one week before our municipal election; the Township signed a resolution with the A.L.C. regarding the Brown Road Pit proposal. I would ask council if they have further information regarding this resolution, its content and who may have signed the document. Was this resolution signed by Council or by Staff?


What expectations do we have regarding this very serious proposal? We feel that this project can be stopped if we all work together as a community. We feel positive and will be persistent in our efforts. We realize the provincial government has the "Significant Projects Streamlining Act" which I have not read. Also, during the past few years, our present provincial government has put in place numerous laws and regulations to ensure that they can control and dictate their policies and needs over municipal governments like our Township. We all need to step up to the plate, be heard and be accountable for the future of our community. We cannot allow senior levels of government to leave their negative footprints on our beautiful community; The Township of Langley.


We ask that Council schedule two public forums for further discussion and information with the provincial government regarding the Brown Road Pit proposal. We also request a public hearing meeting with Council present.

I submit to Council a copy of our petition signed by hundreds of concerned citizens who oppose the provincial government’s proposal.

To conclude, I would ask Your Worship, Councillors, Mr Bakken and Staff for your unanimous support to help us stop the opening of Brown Road Pit.

Please help us to manage, maintain and conserve our most valuable resource 'WATER'. Please help us preserve and save our very special neighborhood that we have come to love.


Respectfully,

Letter to B. Penner, M.L.A. - 01/16/2009

Mr. B. Penner, M.L.A.
January 16, 2009
Minister of Environment
Unit 101-7388 Vedder Road
Chilliwack, B.C.
V2R 4E4


Dear Sir;


I have resided in the Township of Langley for 34 years within close proximity to Brown Road, (240th. Street & 68th. Ave) where the Provincial Government is proposing to open a new mine for gravel extraction. My home, our entire neighborhood and thousands of other private well owners wholly depend on the Hopington Aquifer for our most valuable resource: 'WATER'. I have many serious concerns regarding this proposal as it will undoubtely have a major negative impact on the area and serious environmental implications.

Last year, The Ministry of Transport & Infrastructure (MoT) submitted a soil removal permit application to the Township to mine and extract gravel from the provincial land for the Gateway Project. The MoT also had a hydro geological engineering company install 5 monitoring wells along the perimeter of the proposed site. The property in question is in pasture with a portion to the east an abandoned pit used during the construction of Highway #1 in the 1960's. The proposal is supposed to be subject to the Agricultural Land Commission and Township of Langley approvals.
There has been a Township 'MORATORIUM' in place for almost 20 years, rejecting all applications for new gravel extraction.

This upland area (Brown Pit) from William's Park is similar to a plateau; surrounded to the east and south by Coghlan Creek; west by the Salmon River and north by Highway 1. The area has been flagged by the director of the Salmon River Enhancemant Society, D. McPhee, as one of three areas with serious dropping water tables. The Langley Times-Nov 7/08; ' Water Issues are Serious, Ongoing'; quote; "Dropping water tables in the surrounding area (Milner, Aldergrove and the area around the freeway at 240th. Street) drain water from the Hopington Aquifer.

The dropping water table and water quality has become a provincial concern with the B.C. Government allowing Langley to act as a test case for new provincial groundwater measures. The Township of Langley, Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Agriculture and Lands prepared a Water Management Plan in draft last May, 2008. The mining of a pasture for gravel extraction does not appear to be a senior level of government working responsibly & cooperatively as a team with our Township for a common goal; to conserve, manage and save the Hopington Aquifer from further drainage.
The already 'OVERPUMPED & FRAGILE' Hopington Aquifer that supplies 80% of our water to the Township cannot continue to sustain further abuse and mismanagement. With the groundwater level dropping one (1) foot per year; the next 5 to 10 years looks increasingly grim for private well owners and the entire aquifer. The provincial government should be working together with our Township to solve the problems and enforce effective policy to protect groundwater. Opening a new pit for gravel extraction in a highly sensitive area of our aquifer makes absolutely no sense at all. This proposal is in the wrong place, at the wrong time and for all the wrong reasons.
The private wells near the proposed pit will inevitably be effected; both the quality and quantity of water available. The negative implications from this project will likely occur much sooner than later. This proposal is nothing than a convenience and a cost-cutting measure by the B.C. Government resulting in future expenses and stress to the taxpayer. We will be facing costs upwards of $25,000 to drill new wells and there is no doubt our property values will drop and may never recover. Many years of noise and air pollution will also be continuous by-products of this project in a suburban residential and farm area. Who will step forward to offer full compensation to residents when faced with financial loss due to this proposal? Water levels seasonally in Coghlan Creek are almost immeasurable & unable to sustain proper salmon and other species habitat.

Regardless of what the hydogeologists, geological engineers and development experts in the field may tell us; common sense points to an inevitable negative impact on our water supply and the entire neighborhood should you proceed with this major project. It may be all fine for the provincial government to state that the impact of this project will be minimal and that they will look after us should there be a problem. We have all heard this before and seldom does anything in the way of support or compensation occur. No one can guarantee that when the landscape is disrupted to this degree; with a massive excavation of this magnitude that there will not be both short term and long term problems in our immediate area. I am sure if a proper risk assessment was completed regarding this project; the negative implications to our entire neighborhood would certainly out-weigh the MoT's need for thousands of metric tons of gravel.

We strongly oppose the development of this gravel mine and ask that the MoT not proceed with this project. I would ask that the MoT seriously use another option as there are definitely many other existing sources of gravel for the Gateway and other projects. Mining gravel in our area to keep your costs minimal and transport time down is not acceptable considering the serious consequences. Do not incur further drainage to our aquifer, destroying our local private wells and damaging our neighborhood.

Enclosed with this letter is a petition signed by hundreds of concerned citizens who depend on the Hopington Aquifer as their only source of water.
I look forward to further dialogue with you and receiving a definitive reply regarding this very important matter.


Please help us manage, maintain and preserve our most valuable resource 'WATER'.


We need your support and understanding regarding this very serious issue. Please do not proceed with this project.



Respectfully,

Letter to R. Coleman, M.L.A. - 01/16/2009

Mr. R. Coleman, M.L.A.
January 16, 2009
Minister of Housing & Social Development
Suite 101B-27336 Fraser Highway
Aldergrove, B.C.
V4W 3N5


Dear Sir;


I have resided in the Township of Langley for 34 years within close proximity to Brown Road, (240th. Street & 68th. Ave) where the Provincial Government is proposing to open a new mine for gravel extraction. My home, our entire neighborhood and thousands of other private well owners wholly depend on the Hopington Aquifer for our most valuable resource: 'WATER'. I have many serious concerns regarding this proposal as it will undoubtedly have a major negative impact on the area and serious environmental implications.

Last year, The Ministry of Transport & Infrastructure (MoT) submitted a soil removal permit application to the Township to mine and extract gravel from the provincial land for the Gateway Project. The MoT also had a hydro geological engineering company install 5 monitoring wells along the perimeter of the proposed site. The property in question is in pasture with a portion to the east an abandoned pit used during the construction of Highway #1 in the 1960's. The proposal is supposed to be subject to the Agricultural Land Commission and Township of Langley approvals.
There has been a Township 'MORATORIUM' in place for almost 20 years, rejecting all applications for new gravel extraction.

This upland area (Brown Pit) from William's Park is similar to a plateau; surrounded to the east and south by Coghlan Creek; west by the Salmon River and north by Highway 1. The area has been flagged by the director of the Salmon River Enhancemant Society, D. McPhee, as one of three areas with serious dropping water tables. The Langley Times-Nov 7/08; ' Water Issues are Serious, Ongoing'; quote; "Dropping water tables in the surrounding area (Milner, Aldergrove and the area around the freeway at 240th. Street) drain water from the Hopington Aquifer.

The dropping water table and water quality has become a provincial concern with the B.C. Government allowing Langley to act as a test case for new provincial groundwater measures. The Township of Langley, Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Agriculture and Lands prepared a Water Management Plan in draft last May, 2008. The mining of a pasture for gravel extraction does not appear to be a senior level of government working responsibly & cooperatively as a team with our Township for a common goal; to conserve, manage and save the Hopington Aquifer from further drainage.
The already 'OVERPUMPED & FRAGILE' Hopington Aquifer that supplies 80% of our water in the Township cannot continue to sustain further abuse and mismanagement. With the groundwater level dropping one (1) foot per year; the next 5 to 10 years looks increasingly grim for private well owners and the entire aquifer. The provincial government should be working together with our Township to solve the problems and enforce effective policy to protect groundwater. Opening a new pit for gravel extraction in a highly sensitive area of our aquifer makes absolutely no sense at all. This proposal is in the wrong place, at the wrong time and for all the wrong reasons.
The private wells near the proposed pit will inevitably be effected; both the quality and quantity of water available. The negative implications from this project will likely occur much sooner than later. This proposal is obviously a convenience and a cost-cutting measure by the B.C. Government resulting in future expenses and stress to the taxpayer. We will be facing costs upwards of $25,000 to drill new wells and there is no doubt our property values will drop and may never recover. Many years of noise and air pollution will also be continuous by-products of this project in a suburban residential and farm area. Who will step forward to offer full compensation to residents when faced with financial loss due to this proposal? Water levels seasonally in Coghlan Creek are almost immeasurable & unable to sustain proper salmon and other species habitat.

Regardless of what the hydogeologists, geological engineers and your development experts in the field may tell us; common sense points to an inevitable negative impact on our water supply and the entire neighborhood should you proceed with this major project. It may be all fine for the provincial government to state that the impact of this project will be minimal and that they will look after us should there be a problem. We have all heard this before and seldom does anything in the way of support or compensation occur. No one can guarantee that when the landscape is disrupted to this degree; with a massive excavation of this magnitude that there will not be both short term and long term problems in our immediate area. I am sure if a proper risk assessment was completed regarding this project; the negative implications to our entire neighborhood would certainly out-weigh the MoT's need for thousands of metric tons of gravel.

We strongly oppose the development of this gravel mine and ask that the MoT not proceed with this project. I would ask that the MoT seriously use another option as there are definitely many other existing sources of gravel for the Gateway and other projects. Mining gravel in our area to keep your costs minimal and transport time down is not acceptable considering the serious consequences. Do not incur further drainage to our aquifer, destroying our local private wells and damaging our neighborhood.

Enclosed with this letter is a petition signed by hundreds of concerned citizens who depend on the Hopington Aquifer as their only source of water.
I look forward to further dialogue with you and receiving a definitive reply regarding this very important matter.


Please help us manage, maintain and preserve our most valuable resource 'WATER'.


We need your support and understanding regarding this very serious issue. Please do not proceed with this project.



Respectfully,

Letter to Mr. K. Falcon, M.L.A - 01/16/2009

Mr. K. Falcon, M.L.A.
January 16, 2009
Minister of Transport & Infrastructure
#108-17700 #10 Highway
Surrey, B.C.
V3S 1C7


Dear Sir;


I have resided in the Township of Langley for 34 years within close proximity to Brown Road, (240th. Street & 68th. Ave) where the Provincial Government is proposing to open a new mine for gravel extraction. My home, our entire neighborhood and thousands of other private well owners wholly depend on the Hopington Aquifer for our most valuable resource: 'WATER'. I have many serious concerns regarding this proposal as it will undoubtedly have a major negative impact on the area and serious environmental implications.

Last year, The Ministry of Transport & Infrastructure (MoT) submitted a soil removal permit application to the Township to mine and extract gravel from the provincial land for the Gateway Project. The MoT also had a hydro geological engineering company install 5 monitoring wells along the perimeter of the proposed site. The property in question is in pasture with a portion to the east an abandoned pit used during the construction of Highway #1 in the 1960's. The proposal is supposed to be subject to the Agricultural Land Commission and Township of Langley approvals.
There has been a Township 'MORATORIUM' in place for almost 20 years, rejecting all applications for new gravel extraction.

This upland area (Brown Pit) from William's Park is similar to a plateau; surrounded to the east and south by Coghlan Creek; west by the Salmon River and north by Highway 1. The area has been flagged by the director of the Salmon River Enhancement Society, D. McPhee, as one of three areas with serious dropping water tables. The Langley Times-Nov 7/08; ' Water Issues are Serious, Ongoing'; quote; "Dropping water tables in the surrounding area (Milner, Aldergrove and the area around the freeway at 240th. Street) drain water from the Hopington Aquifer.

The dropping water table and water quality has become a provincial concern with the B.C. Government allowing Langley to act as a test case for new provincial groundwater measures. The Township of Langley, Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Agriculture and Lands prepared a Water Management Plan in draft last May, 2008. The mining of a pasture for gravel extraction does not appear to be a senior level of government working responsibly & cooperatively as a team with our Township for a common goal; to conserve, manage and save the Hopington Aquifer from further drainage.
The already 'OVERPUMPED & FRAGILE' Hopington Aquifer that supplies 80% of our water to the Township cannot continue to sustain further abuse and mismanagement. With the groundwater level dropping one (1) foot per year; the next 5 to 10 years looks increasingly grim for private well owners and the entire aquifer. The provincial government should be working together with our Township to solve the problems and enforce effective policy to protect groundwater. Opening a new pit for gravel extraction in a highly sensitive area of our aquifer makes absolutely no sense at all. This proposal is in the wrong place, at the wrong time and for all the wrong reasons.
The private wells near the proposed pit will inevitably be affected; both the quality and quantity of water available. The negative implications from this project will likely occur much sooner than later. This proposal is obviously a convenience and a cost-cutting measure by the B.C. Government resulting in future expenses and stress to the taxpayer. We will be facing costs upwards of $25,000 to drill new wells and there is no doubt our property values will drop and may never recover. Many years of noise and air pollution will also be continuous by-products of this project in a suburban residential and farm area. Who will step forward to offer full compensation to residents when faced with financial loss due to this proposal? Water levels seasonally in Coghlan Creek are almost immeasurable & unable to sustain proper salmon and other species habitat.

Regardless of what the hydogeologists, geological engineers and development experts in the field may tell us; common sense points to an inevitable negative impact on our water supply and the entire neighborhood should you proceed with this major project. It may be all fine for the provincial government to state that the impact of this project will be minimal and that they will look after us should there be a problem. We have all heard this before and seldom does anything in the way of support or compensation occur. No one can guarantee that when the landscape is disrupted to this degree; with a massive excavation of this magnitude that there will not be both short term and long term problems in our immediate area. I am sure if a proper risk assessment was completed regarding this project; the negative implications to our entire neighborhood would certainly out-weigh the MoT's need for thousands of metric tons of gravel.

We strongly oppose the development of this gravel mine and ask that the MoT not to proceed with this project. I would ask that the MoT seriously use other options as there are definitely many other existing sources of gravel for the Gateway and other projects. Mining gravel in our area to keep your costs minimal and transport time down is not acceptable considering the serious consequences. Do not incur further drainage to our aquifer, destroying our local private wells and damaging our neighborhood.

Enclosed with this letter is a petition signed by hundreds of concerned citizens who depend on the Hopington Aquifer as their only source of water.
I look forward to further dialogue with you and receiving a definitive reply regarding this very important matter.


Please help us manage, maintain and preserve our most valuable resource 'WATER'.


We need your support and understanding regarding this very serious issue. Please do not proceed with this project.



Respectfully,