Whistler home owner newsletter - Cheakamus River Chemical SpillWatching birds fall from the sky with dead fish sickens me. On August 5th 2005, to make a few extra bucks you have compromised a whole community and an entire eco-system with the derailment of one of your trains in the Cheakamus River. Now a lot of people will suffer an array of consequences, which are entirely uncontrollable and may last for years to come. CN you've killed a whole river system. A once thriving river now stands without life and the possibility of it ever returning is looking pretty bleak. Isn't killing a crime? I am angry yet saddened at the catastrophic devastation created by CN's negligence. As the people of Paradise Valley are afraid to use their well water, one of Squamish favorite pastimes (Sportfishing) has been stripped from fathers, sons, mothers and daughters. The tremendous loss of life has forced our rivers and part of Howe Sound to close for fishing. My vested interest is in the Sportfishing quality of Squamish. As a business owner of a tackle shop, I rely on our various salmon and steelhead runs to pay the bills and support my family. Four years ago when I decided to open River's Edge I saw enormous potential in Sportfishing. Realizing our salmon fishing was primarily catch and release, we have build River's Edge from a conservation perspective. After 3 years of successful promotion of the spectacular fishing opportunities and magnificent setting Squamish has to offer, a serious decline in angling tourism has definitely occurred, basically overnight. Basically, my whole livelihood has now been affected by CN's carelessness and lack of respect for life. Even though restitution and compensation are our community's concern, prevention of future eco-disasters should be first and foremost priority. In my investigation, I've realized that government deregulation and cutbacks leave the onus on private rail companies to patrol themselves. In the case of the Cheakamus River spill, 141 cars of 144 cars were empty. Back a few years ago when BC Rail was on board, they would hardly ever put over 90 cars on trains through our community. Unrealistic quotas and self-regulation puts us all at jeopardy.Public inquiries are a pertinent part of our so-called justice system. They are essential in knowing facts and instituting changes. Effect and impact are also considered. Why has a public inquiry been rejected in the case of this derailment? Train wrecks have become a weekly occurrence and we can't afford our environment to sustain poisoning on a weekly basis without looking at the issues. Whether it's CN Rail, BC Hydro or our government compromising our security as a community and as a nation, we must stand in unity and voice our concerns. Decisions made without consultation should be dealt with and no entity should have to suffer. If we don't, tragedies like the one here in Squamish and Alberta will not stop and our children will have nothing left in the future. People of Canada, let's wake up. We are a risk of losing all we hold dear. Ecosystems, business, tourism, health, friends, family and the Canadian way of life will be affected unless we do something now. It is time to stand up on issues and secure our children's future or we will have nothing left for them except the American way of life. We give everything to the USA, our wood, rivers, trains, power, etc. As our largest trading partner, we give and they take. Protection of our resources and assets are important; giving them away will not help us. Allowing our lives to hang on a single thread is irresponsible and shows a lack of due process. It is time for action, before it is too late. A petition is now available for a public inquiry into the CN derailment in Squamish, BC and in Wabamun, AB. If this is an issue that affects you, you can email me, go to our web site or stop by our store. Rios Sdrakas
Rivers Edge
Sportfishing Outfitters Ltd. |
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