Green Party of Canada, BC Campaign Co-chair, Silvaine Zimmerman, M.Sc. is interviewed by Shaw Cable at the Powell River Legacy Rally, May 26th 2007. Speaking about Catalyst Paper Company’s proposed landfill expansion in Powell River BC, sustainable business practices, dioxin poisoning, health and the environment.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=1JFyGcWZ4zY

April 30, 2006         For immediate release:

Powell River Residents Battle Proposed Landfill Super Expansion

Powell River resident's ongoing battle for the wellbeing of their community entered a new phase on April 18 with an open house announcing (Catalyst's) bid for government approval to expand a previously capped pulp mill-waste landfill site.

The proposed expansion, which is immediately adjacent to the Wildwood subdivision's main street and the provincial highway, would tower 26-29 meters over the residential community, making the mountain of industrial waste the highest man made structure in Powell River.

Catalyst was obliged to vacate the old site to prevent flyash dust from blanketing homes and businesses. Ongoing arrangements were made to ship the ash to a secure disposal site in Washington state until perceived cost savings renewed Catalyst interest in the closed site.

I recently received an email petition regarding this landfill project. I was absolutely horrified to read some of the details pertaining to this insane proposal, and I was more than willing to sign the petition and forward it on to many other people. I sincerely hope that the information about potentially serious health and environmental hazards, and the reactions of the people in and surrounding the affected area, will result in a rejection of the plan by the BC government department responsible, providing of course, that all considerations are handled with honesty and integrity.

It is important that both the BC government and Catalyst know that the issue is being watched from many other jurisdictions.

I’m so glad there is good opposition coalescing and I will certainly be watching the outcome.

Yours truly,
Paula Stein
Edmonton, AB