Articles
28th January 2011
EDITOR
Open Letter to Residents of the RDN/CVRD,
The North Cowichan - South Nanaimo region has a number of water-related reports as well as public meetings and formal hearings coming up in the next month or two ...and there's a lot of implications pertinent to local communities and the area's aquifers and groundwater.
Attached please find a poster about a public meeting that will host an expert on water considerations, Mr Gilles Wendling, to discuss such matters on February 24th (details below*). MISSI would also ask that, as you can, you circulate this meeting notice to others who may have interest.
Working with other local organizations MISSI may also have opportunity to bring in two university students, to assist in research of water issues particular to the the RDN/CVRD and inter-jurisdictional boundary needs. In this respect we are very interested in any research or studies you may be able to recommend. As well, MISSI would be interested in receiving a copy of your remarks to the relevant public processes underway (noted below). Should you wish to share them please email us atdocument.write('@');missimidisland.com>
This short summary notes some reports, and opportunities, for public input in the next month. Your comments are welcome, and encouraged!
1) - Today, the RDN has just released a report on Drinking Water & Watershed Protection This report notes high vulnerability of the Cassidy aquifers, under the airport and Island Highway, which are expected to supply both Nanaimo & Ladysmith in the future. As well, it notes that most of the lands under Cedar and Yellowpoint draw from the Yellowpoint aquifer - an aquifer that has just been found to be both vulnerable, and over-committed (ie - there is a net drain annually from the aquifers, leading to longer and longer recharge times - less water in wells for summer needs, etc).
"The Yellowpoint aquifer was ranked as the second highest priority aquifer on Vancouver Island by the Ministry of the Environment due to its low productivity, increasing population, and significantly dropping groundwater elevations. ...The Cassidy aquifer is a large aquifer that is highly vulnerable to contamination. In the Cassidy area, there is a strong concern that land uses including wrecking yards, airport activities, fuel storage, forestry, trailer parks, on-site systems, and landfills could impact the groundwater quality in this vulnerable aquifer. Surface water is also a concern in this watershed."
...The RDN deadline to submit comments on the 'RDN Drinking Water & Watershed Protection Report' is Feb 28th. Submit your comments at watersmartrdn.bc.ca .
2) The upcoming Area A RDN OCP will be given 1st & 2nd Reading on Feb 22nd. Public comments particular to water, and other matters, will then be heard at hearings to follow. We would suggest however that you not wait, that you submit your comments into the RDN before the public hearing (and then again at the hearing). Suggestions registered only at public hearings rarely have an effect on proposed by-laws. Usually, and very unfortunately, public hearings are treated just as a check box, to comply with the Local Government Act. It is important that any concerns you have therefore be submitted at the earliest opportunity.
3) - the new BC Water Sustainability Act apparently refers to 'market' opportunities - perhaps opening the door to the sale and privatization of BC water supplies, etc. As part of the Water Act Modernization review process public comments can be submitted on the blog until Feb. 21
4) - the RDN's public consultations for the mid island region, planned for April 2011 to negotiate a proposed Accord with the Nanaimo Airport Commission with respect to land-use and development over the Cassidy aquifers, has been postponed 'pending budget considerations'.
Public Meeting - Cedar:
5) - *MISSI's next meeting will focus on the 'RDN/CVRD - Local Aquifers & Groundwater. The meeting will consider the region's cross-boundary water challenges, particularly those for Nanaimo South and Cowichan North, providing residents with a chance to discuss present and future demands on local water supplies.
MISSI has confirmed Dr. Gilles Wendling as guest speaker, author of many groundwater and aquifer studies for the area and Vancouver Island. Dr. Wendling has 18 years of consulting experience in hydrogeology, is well respected as an authority on the subject, and provides expertise in designing, siting, and testing of production wells, and optimizing their performance. The meeting will be held at the Cedar Heritage Centre, 1644 MacMillan Road , Cedar - Thurs Feb 24th, 7-8pm; and will be
followed by the MISSI AGM at 8pm.
We invite individuals and listserves to distribute this note, and the attached poster, to those who live in the area and who may have specific interest in community water protection and supply. We expect to develop an Information Sheet in the near future - to circulate it by email, and also to post it on MISSI's website.
If you have additional information related to aquifer and water issues affecting the local area and mid-island region, please feel free to contact us.
Mid Island Sustainability & Stewardship Initiative�
P.O. Box 333, Cedar, B.C., V9X 1W1� �document.write('@');missimidisland.com>
The North Cowichan - South Nanaimo region has a number of water-related reports as well as public meetings and formal hearings coming up in the next month or two ...and there's a lot of implications pertinent to local communities and the area's aquifers and groundwater.
Attached please find a poster about a public meeting that will host an expert on water considerations, Mr Gilles Wendling, to discuss such matters on February 24th (details below*). MISSI would also ask that, as you can, you circulate this meeting notice to others who may have interest.
Working with other local organizations MISSI may also have opportunity to bring in two university students, to assist in research of water issues particular to the the RDN/CVRD and inter-jurisdictional boundary needs. In this respect we are very interested in any research or studies you may be able to recommend. As well, MISSI would be interested in receiving a copy of your remarks to the relevant public processes underway (noted below). Should you wish to share them please email us at
This short summary notes some reports, and opportunities, for public input in the next month. Your comments are welcome, and encouraged!
1) - Today, the RDN has just released a report on Drinking Water & Watershed Protection This report notes high vulnerability of the Cassidy aquifers, under the airport and Island Highway, which are expected to supply both Nanaimo & Ladysmith in the future. As well, it notes that most of the lands under Cedar and Yellowpoint draw from the Yellowpoint aquifer - an aquifer that has just been found to be both vulnerable, and over-committed (ie - there is a net drain annually from the aquifers, leading to longer and longer recharge times - less water in wells for summer needs, etc).
"The Yellowpoint aquifer was ranked as the second highest priority aquifer on Vancouver Island by the Ministry of the Environment due to its low productivity, increasing population, and significantly dropping groundwater elevations. ...The Cassidy aquifer is a large aquifer that is highly vulnerable to contamination. In the Cassidy area, there is a strong concern that land uses including wrecking yards, airport activities, fuel storage, forestry, trailer parks, on-site systems, and landfills could impact the groundwater quality in this vulnerable aquifer. Surface water is also a concern in this watershed."
...The RDN deadline to submit comments on the 'RDN Drinking Water & Watershed Protection Report' is Feb 28th. Submit your comments at watersmartrdn.bc.ca .
2) The upcoming Area A RDN OCP will be given 1st & 2nd Reading on Feb 22nd. Public comments particular to water, and other matters, will then be heard at hearings to follow. We would suggest however that you not wait, that you submit your comments into the RDN before the public hearing (and then again at the hearing). Suggestions registered only at public hearings rarely have an effect on proposed by-laws. Usually, and very unfortunately, public hearings are treated just as a check box, to comply with the Local Government Act. It is important that any concerns you have therefore be submitted at the earliest opportunity.
3) - the new BC Water Sustainability Act apparently refers to 'market' opportunities - perhaps opening the door to the sale and privatization of BC water supplies, etc. As part of the Water Act Modernization review process public comments can be submitted on the blog until Feb. 21
4) - the RDN's public consultations for the mid island region, planned for April 2011 to negotiate a proposed Accord with the Nanaimo Airport Commission with respect to land-use and development over the Cassidy aquifers, has been postponed 'pending budget considerations'.
Public Meeting - Cedar:
5) - *MISSI's next meeting will focus on the 'RDN/CVRD - Local Aquifers & Groundwater. The meeting will consider the region's cross-boundary water challenges, particularly those for Nanaimo South and Cowichan North, providing residents with a chance to discuss present and future demands on local water supplies.
MISSI has confirmed Dr. Gilles Wendling as guest speaker, author of many groundwater and aquifer studies for the area and Vancouver Island. Dr. Wendling has 18 years of consulting experience in hydrogeology, is well respected as an authority on the subject, and provides expertise in designing, siting, and testing of production wells, and optimizing their performance. The meeting will be held at the Cedar Heritage Centre, 1644 MacMillan Road , Cedar - Thurs Feb 24th, 7-8pm; and will be
followed by the MISSI AGM at 8pm.
We invite individuals and listserves to distribute this note, and the attached poster, to those who live in the area and who may have specific interest in community water protection and supply. We expect to develop an Information Sheet in the near future - to circulate it by email, and also to post it on MISSI's website.
If you have additional information related to aquifer and water issues affecting the local area and mid-island region, please feel free to contact us.
Mid Island Sustainability & Stewardship Initiative�
P.O. Box 333, Cedar, B.C., V9X 1W1� �
(MISSI_Poster.pdf)