May I recommend that readers give their most careful attention to Denise Blackwell’s letter (CRD wastewater must be treated, July 25) regarding the “anticipated” cost of the CRD’s planned sewage plant. Is she speaking as a lawyer, a financial expert or just a visionary planner?
May we ask if she has thoroughly examined the implications of “Part 2 – Prohibitions and Authorizations” of the Environmental Management Act 2003 and taken account of the Environmental Management Amendment Act of 2004 or noted that the Municipal Sewage Regulation that she cites was repealed in April this year and replaced by the new Municipal Wastewater Regulation?
The value and intent of these complicated pieces of legislation will cost far less to test in the courts than even the day-to-day running costs of her mammoth sewage works.
The spending of over $1 billion on an unnecessary sewage plant in British Columbia will no longer be ignored in isolation by the world’s financial markets.
I challenge Denise Blackwell to produce full and thoroughly supported calculations of the CRD’s analysis of projected costs and increased property taxes.
Ralph Smith
Saanich