Dear Editor,
On September 10th, 2012 the residents around Fort Assiniboine were introduced to The Pride Valley Area Structure Plan at an open house. It has taken a long time to produce and really does not seem to be finished. A lot of vague information. In all, heavily favouring gravel mining without taking already existing industry into consideration. As I have done before, I must point out again, that water, land to produce food, and clean air are the most important elements for us to have in order to live. Let me quote Wendell Berry: Eaters must understand that eating takes place inescapably in the world, that it is inescapably an agricultural act, and how we eat determines, to a considerable extend how the world is used.”
In Pride Valley twelve quarters have been committed to be rezoned from agricultural land to resource extraction. Three are already rezoned. With the remark, that if twelve quarters are not enough, more land could be committed. Where is the limit? It seems land has no value unless it is mined. I think governments are acting very short sighted when they do not care whether we can feed our people, and rely on imports from other countries. Quite a bit of land has been bought by gravel corporations all around the Fort. If we have not a solid plan for how much land will be allowed to be mined, we will see a lot of land going for that purpose, with all the consequences that will have. Traffic problems, air and noise pollution, devaluation of farms and country homes, and conflict with other already established industries. There also is the issue of damage to water bodies.
It is too bad that people, who exercise their democratic responsibility by informing themselves about the impact of this industry on the environment, health, lifestyle of residents, and the landscape, are marginalized when they speak out. This divides the community at a time when we need to get together and find the best ways to deal with this. We know this development is coming, we must have input from all people residing in the whole area around the Fort and make some decisions that will be least harmful to all.
Respectfully submitted, Brita Kuelken
