For a Freighter Free Gabriola

2015-09-12 1

Establishing new anchorages is unprecedented

2015-09-12 2

What kind of vessels will be anchored?Capesize – largest ore carriers (300 meter +)

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Capesize

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What is at Stake• What is proposed for Gabriola is unique

• 1st anchorages in open waters of Georgia Strait• Designation of new anchorages (rather than increasing use of

anchorages designated before Islands Trust Act came into being)

• Imposing heavy industrial activity into a protected area

• Making a mockery of the Islands Trust Act

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Today we ask Islands Trust Council for the following:

1. Officially & publicly oppose the designation of these 5 new anchorages

2. Declare sensitive marine waters & coastal areas of Island’s Trust Area as totally unsuitable for freighter anchorages

3. Decline any invitation by the Pacific Pilotage Authority, lead proponent, to act as a neutral party with respect to this issue

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We ask for these commitments as we believe:

Establishing freighter anchorages in Georgia Strait off Gabriola’s coast violates the intent, spirit, & language of section 3 of the Islands Trust Act:

“The object of the Trust is to preserve & protect the Trust area and it’s unique amenities and environment for the benefit of the residents of the Trust Area & of British Columbia generally…”

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Anchorages violate specific Policies, Commitment & Directives as detailed in package material

• Policy 3.4 - Preserve & Protect Coastal and Marine ecosystems

• Policy 4.5 - Preserve & Protect Coastal areas of Marine Shorelands

• Policy 5.1 - Preserve & Protect Aesthetic qualities• Visual quality, scenic values, distinctive features that are highly

visible• Intensity of noise & lighting compatible with community character• Protection of views, scenic areas & distinctive features

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Our Reasons – Protect Coastal & Marine EcosystemsBeaufort Scale – Wind Strength & impact

9

Force Wind knots

km/hr WMO Classification

Force

7 27-33 49-61 Near Gale • Sea heaps up, waves 13-20 ft, white foam streaks off breakers

8 34-40 62-73 Gale• Moderately high (13-20 ft) waves of greater length,

edges of crests begin to break into spindrift, foam blown in streaks

9 41-47 74-86 Strong Gale • High waves (20 ft), sea begins to roll, dense streaks of foam, spray may reduce visibility

10 48-55 87-100 Storm• Very high waves (20-30 ft) with overhanging crests,

sea white with densely blown foam, heavy rolling, lowered visibility

11 56-63 101-115 Violent Storm • Exceptionally high (30-45 ft) waves, foam patches cover sea, visibility more reduced

Our Reasons - Wind strengths NE shore15 knots (28 km/hour) ships on alert. 25 knots (44 km/hour) ships need to leave

anchorage

Gale Force

Ships on Alert

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Near Gale

Ships leave anchor

Our ReasonsProtect Coastal & Marine Ecosystems• Anchorages 800 m off shore – swing radius comes within 150 m of

shore• Winds on NE shore reach gale force/storm levels – all seasons• If freighters drag anchor in protected Plumper Sound – certain to

happen in Georgia Strait• Risk of freighter running aground against rocky shores or sea cliffs• Risk of bunker oil spill• Prov. park, 3 community beaches - entire shoreline devastated for

decades long before help arrives

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• Weight of anchors measured in tons• Anchor dropped with sufficient chain

to “dig” into bottom• Not pulled up when ship swings with

wind, current, tide• Proposed anchorage subject to

varying winds - frequently gale force (see previous chart)

• Sea current 1 knot changing direction 4 times daily

• Effect - severe scouring due to ship pivoting on anchor dragging massive chain through 360 degrees

• In addition to scouring of seabed by the anchor itself

ANCHORS – destroy sea bed – destroy our island

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Destroy our sea bed – Destroy our island• Proposed anchorage corridor targeted by sport fishing charter

companies from Gabriola Island, Vancouver Island and the BC Mainland

• Sea bottom scoured by anchored freighters will destroy environment necessary to support baitfish

• Once baitfish gone, other dependent species will follow ending a sports fishery that has prospered for decades

• Impacts commercial viability of our local marinas, marine outfitters and marine repair facilities

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Our ReasonsProtect Sensitive Coastal Areas/ Marine & Coastal Habitat

• Anchorage corridor spans water column that supports large/diverse marine population

• Bottom structure attracts/sustains great quantity of bait fish including herring and anchovy

• This attracts migrating salmon plus numerous residential fish species such as cod, halibut & spotted prawn

• Harbor seals, sea lions, porpoise, dolphins & Orcas frequently visit to feast on this bounty

• NE shoreline favored route for Orcas. Noise from freighter generator/engines disrupts communications within whale pods

• Glass sponge reef recently discovered off Entrance Island2015-09-12 14

Our Reasons - Preserve & Protect Aesthetic QualitiesNoise, light, air & water pollutionResidents of Cowichan Bay/Plumper Sound have felt impact of huge vessels anchored in their waters for years

• Horrific air, light, noise and water pollution• Generators run 24 hrs/day, 7 days a week for weeks• When visibility restricted (foggy conditions) – marine law requires anchored

vessels to sound foghorns every minute• Impact from Capesize vessels will be worse• Port authority waters - freighters subject to rules• Gabriola coast outside port authority waters - essentially unregulated• Imposing heavy industrial activity barely 150 meters off shore is

totally unacceptable & completely incompatible with pristine, tranquil, residential & recreation areas2015-09-12 15

Our Reasons - Preserve & Protect Aesthetic qualitiesExperience of & views from NE shore across Georgia Strait to Coastal mountains is awe inspiring, serene, soul nourishing, breathtaking & unique

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These views, peace & serenity will be forever destroyed

Our Reasons• NE shore of Gabriola Island will become a satellite ship yard for

Port Metro Vancouver• An industrial parking lot

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Preserve and Protect• Your recent letter to the NEB strongly opposed the proposed Trans

Mountain Pipeline project• All of the concerns raised in that letter should an oil spill happen – will

happen here - to our beautiful island - if these anchorages go through• Scouring of sea bed by dragging chains, noise of these huge vessels,

the ballast discharge etc. will forever degrade and destroy what is most precious to us

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This is not just a Gabriola issue• 5 anchorages now, 10 new anchorages tomorrow

• All gulf Islands are at risk

• Today take a vocal & public stand against an industrial activity that is threatening this unique archipelago & its legislatively protected way of life

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Preserve & Protect our Fragile Island

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Please Join Us…• Publicly and forcefully opposing the designation of these 5 new

anchorages• They do not benefit Gabriolans or any Gulf Islanders• They are an insult to the spirit, intent & clear language of the Islands Trust

Act• Thank you!

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