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MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release
July 28, 2008
CAMPBELL’S SOUTH FRASER ROAD PLANS PUT BOG & FARMLAND AT RISK, SAYS NDP
DELTA – The Campbell government’s plan to push ahead with an environmentally destructive route for the South Fraser Perimeter Road without proper consultation or consideration of alternatives is a betrayal of the community of Delta, New Democrat MLA Guy Gentner said today.
“The timing is certainly ironic, given that this weekend was the 17th International Bog Days – while British Columbians were celebrating the beauty of Burns Bog, the Campbell government was pushing forward with a plan that could ruin the bog forever,” said Gentner, the MLA for Delta North.
On Friday, the proposed 80-kilometre highway between Surrey and Delta received a provincial environmental assessment certificate.
“It’s not too late for the Campbell government to abandon their secretive approach to the SFPR and start talking with the community about alternative routes that would minimize the amount of farmland lost and wouldn’t put Burns Bog at risk,” said Gentner.
Gentner pointed to the addition of lanes to existing designated truck routes and the increased use of barges as options that have not been looked at by the Campbell government.
“If Gordon Campbell was really serious about sustainability, he wouldn’t be pushing ahead with this mega-project over the concerns of the local community and environmental groups,” said Gentner.
Gentner noted that there have been no details about compensation for homeowners impacted by increased noise and traffic impacts, for impacts of the project on the world-renowned Burns Bog, or for the loss of viable farmland to highway construction.
“People want to know whether the community will be compensated, but there has been no concrete information about mitigation,” said Gentner.
Consultation carried out earlier this year by the government was widely criticized as being only a token exercise in community involvement.
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Contact: Sara Goldvine (250) 208-3560