|
Calendar of Events & Special Dates
The Referendum
The Alternatives
Letters written and who to write
Contact Council
Published Articles |
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY OF THE SEWER SYSTEM COUNTER PROPOSAL SUBMITTED BY WRATH TO THE GRANT REVIEW COMMITTEE
The overall determinations from this review can be summarized as follows:
Public Opinion is Against the Proposed Project
Sewerage was not an issue in Sooke’s first municipal election and residents did not give Council a mandate to pursue this initiative.
The majority of residents attending the Sewage Study Open Houses were opposed to the proposal.
A Flawed Process Was Followed
Meaningful public consultation has been almost non-existent. Public concerns regarding tax implications and environmental impact have been ignored. There has been no attempt to find common ground.
Sooke has not followed a Liquid Waste Management Planning Process or evaluated environmental impacts, but has rushed ahead without serious consideration of other options.
The Proposal is Contrary to the Official Community Plan & Local Area Plan
The proposed project is contrary to Bylaw #1949 which requires on-site effluent treatment and disposal.
The Sooke Local Area Plan allows for increased density in the Core Area but requires new developments to have on-site sewage treatment to be paid by the developers.
The Purpose is to Promote Growth
The District of Sooke has been clear that sewerage and outfall infrastructure is needed to promote urban growth which will increase tax revenue for the municipality. By adopting a "build it and they will come" philosophy, the present Sooke Council has reversed the logic of first developing the local economy and creating jobs to support sewerage infrastructure.
The Need is Not There
There is no public health crisis in Sooke. The rate of on-site system failure is low (1.2% failures per annum), far below the 25% failure threshold.
There are other sources of bacteriological contamination of Sooke Harbour and Basin which would not be controlled by a sewage system. The % contribution from all sources has not been determined.
no preventive measures have been taken e.g. no septic maintenance bylaw
Economic Harm to the Community
Sooke is a small town with lower incomes than neighbouring municipalities. Residents cannot afford the average annual tax increase of $629 for residential and commercial property owners (after grants) projected by the District. Residents are concerned about unnecessary debt load.
Sooke tourism businesses are concerned about the negative perceptions associated with ocean discharge of sewage and the effects on tourism business.
This Proposal Discards Existing Good Systems
- Sooke has been successfully using leading-edge wastewater treatment systems. The proposed project does not encourage the efficient use of existing systems and would condemn the majority of functioning systems.
- No new approaches, innovation or best technologies have been proposed.
.No Authorizations in Place
- The District does not have authorizations from the appropriate approval authorities for this proposed project.
- The proposed sewage treatment plant is to be located on Agriculture Land Reserve. There has been no endorsement of land exclusion from the Agriculture Land Commission.
- Sooke has no bylaw in place which requires community sewer service.
Project Information incomplete
The information provided by the District of Sooke is generally incomplete, unsubstantiated and lacking in sufficient quantification.
The project needs environmental screening and assessment under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act.
|
Email WRATH