Re: “Protesters rally against soil permit,” May 14.
Congratulations to all the people who attended and spoke at the Shawnigan Lake watershed rally on Wednesday. A fine turnout indeed, considering South Island Aggregates’ lawyer suggesting that there were only a handful of disgruntled Shawnigan Lakers over this issue.
The fight is not over, but considering the number of people who are against the dumping of tonnes of contaminants into a watershed, we are hopeful that a petition with more than 15,000 signatures will open the eyes of Environment Minister Mary Polak. We are asking for her to do her job and protect the environment by rescinding SIA’s permit. There is far too much at stake to ignore.
I was surprised after talking to a few Victoria people that they know nothing about this and they think the Sooke Lake watershed, Victoria’s drinking water, is in Sooke. It’s right next to Shawnigan Lake’s watershed.
Contaminants can run in all directions. It would serve well for Victoria’s mayor to inform people of this issue. Your water needs your attention. Write to your MLAs and cabinet ministers. Make a difference. It’s everyone’s water.
Beverly McCooey
Shawnigan Lake
