Dear Editor:
I see that Kinder Morgan just announced increased oil tanker traffic, with nary a peep from anyone.
Come on, you Burrard Inlet community residents (BICRes), rise up and scream at our slumbering leaders - Kinder Morgan must move all their facilities to Roberts Bank.
Yes, a coal conveyor system was destroyed recently at Westport by a bulk coal carrier - but consider the Second Narrows CN rail bridge in Burrard Inlet - a much larger conveyor system - being damaged or taken out. Result: a huge impact on port rail and shipping commerce while the bridge is repaired and the spill cleanup.
How many years would the black goo linger on beaches ? "It won't happen," they will tell us. "We'll use X tugs and Y pilots on each tanker" - I'm not convinced.
There is lots of traffic in Burrard Inlet; you know, cruise ships, float planes, barges, ferries, many bulk carriers and freighters lying about here and there, stuff like that. And yes, even the many small fishing vessels and pleasure craft.
The Westport coal carrier was accompanied by a tug and a pilot was aboard we're told. In another recent incident, Prince Rupert's "SAFE" harbour, a large cargo carrier changed course to avoid colliding with a fishing craft and then went aground. Things do happen.
Our decision-makers need to insist that Kinder Morgan reduce, not increase, the probability and magnitude of a spill incident in our waters.
And now, would someone please tell us who'll pay for spill cleanup? Can you hear the silence?
Is anyone listening or does anyone care? Come on, BICRes - start screaming.
Send your concern to any BICRes you know - flood their in-baskets - and be sure to CC your area leaders.
Carl Shalansky, North Vancouver
