Could stronger environmental laws have stopped the Mt. Polley spill?
- Details
- Published on Friday, 22 August 2014 09:20
- Written by editor
In this issue: Preventing Mt. Polley | Enbridge and Kinder Morgan facing legal challenges | Field notes from the Salish Sea Summer Gathering | British Columbians using the law to protect their environment | Farewell from Summer Law Student Volunteers
Dear Paov,
Like many, we were saddened to hear about the devastating Mt. Polley mine tailings pond spill on... August 4th. As the damage is assessed and accounted for, what can we draw from this tragedy? Can environmental disasters like this be prevented by having stronger environmental laws? Read on for our take on what the spill says about the holes in our current environmental safety net.
Also this month we bring you updates on legal challenges to both the Kinder Morgan Trans Mountain and Enbridge oil pipelines and tankers proposals, information on some legal cases that West Coast is funding throught the Environmental Dispute Resolution Fund (EDRF), and a farewell from our Summer Law Student Volunteers.
The Mt. Polley mine tailings pond spill near Likely, BC, in the traditional territory of the Xatśūll and and T'exele peoples of the Secwepemc Nation, is an environmental disaster, the full effects of which will not be known for years to come. Unfortunately, the spill gives us a perfect example of why strong environmental laws are necessary to protect communities from threats to local, regional and provincial economies, on livelihoods and communities, on fish, wildlife and ecosystems, and on our health.
- Could the Mt. Polley tailings pond spill have been prevented by having stronger environmental laws? Click here to read our analysis on how the dismantling of our environmental laws could have contributed to this disaster, and take our brief survey on what you think could be done to strengthen our environmental regulations.
Enbridge and Kinder Morgan facing legal challenges
An avalanche of legal challenges is facing tar sands oil pipeline and tanker proposals in BC. We thought we would take a moment to update you on where the various legal challenges are as they make their way through our legal system.
- What's the latest on the legal challenges against the Kinder Morgan and Enbridge oil pipelines and tankers projects? Find out here.
Field notes from the Salish Sea Summer Gathering
This year marked the Third Annual Salish Sea Summer Gathering in Whey-ah Wichen/Cates Park in North Vancouver, hosted by the Tsleil Waututh Nation Sacred Trust. Like each gathering before it, people came together to celebrate the beautiful waters of the Salish Sea, and talk about what might happen to them if we allow risky projects, like the proposed Kinder Morgan Trans Mountain pipeline and tankers expansion, to go through. West Coast was proud to be a sponsor of the event and have a chance to talk with people about the work West Coast is doing to keep the Salish Sea safe from the threat of oil spills.
- Click here to read our reflections on the 2014 Salish Sea Summer Gathering and why it's so important to stop more oil tanker traffic within this important and diverse ecosystem.
British Columbians using the law to fight back and protect their environment
One of West Coast Environmental Law’s services is to operate the Environmental Dispute Resolution Fund (EDRF). The EDRF is a granting program for citizens and communities in every corner of the province who need to access legal help to solve an environmental dispute. We are pleased to bring you an update on some of the cases we have been funding over the past few months.
- What do residents in Terrace concerned about air quality, the Adams Lake Indian Band, and a group of Chilliwack citizens all have in common? r0
