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Serves them right. Anyone else try and read the environmental assessments of the various Gateway components from the EA office? I'm glad they are now being overrun by paperwork 'cause they sure didn't make the reading easy.
Of all the components of the Gateway, the South Fraser Perimeter Road is the one that concerns me the most. Burns bog is already very stressed and I'm not sure if this won't be the tipping point for the bog. Back in a different life I worked for Dr. Hebda (the Curator of Botany and Earth History at the Royal British Columbia Museum) collecting materials for the original curriculum for the Restoration of Natural Systems program at Uvic. Dr. Hebda is one of the foremost experts on the Bog having spent years working on it while at UBC. He always spoke of the importance of the water balance on keeping the bog healthy. You only have to look at all the water issues raised during the building of the Island Highway (a very comparable road that ran through several small bogs) to be very concerned about how they will maintain the water balance during the construction phase and how they will avoid significant retention/drainage issues once the road is complete.
Blair,
It sounds like the problem might be something that can be worked out as long as the issue is recognised.??
Obviously just having ample drainage is not the solution from what you say.
Is there a difference in the construction phase from the finished product in that regard?
I shudder to think that some harm may ever come to 'Burns Bog'. The powers that be MUST certainly consider ALL options before risking damage to it. What in the hell is wrong with their own environmental staff and ministers to even consider this danger to the bog?
Methinks,
During the construction phase they have to pre-stress (compress) the soil (like they are doing on Highway 10) in order to stabilize the subsurface before they lay down the road. This creates a linear barrier the length of the road and also gradually forces the water out of the shallow sub-surface. Even well-engineered projects will subsequently end up having localized flooding and silting issues. As well, the pre-stressing can result in subsidence that can result in increased water flows (both in and out). During the building of the Island Highway they accidentally flooded several residents out when they didn't correctly anticipate the flow volumes in seasonal waterways and they had problems getting it right with the culverts for fisheries creeks. The problem is that Burns Bog is a domed (or raised) bog and is extremely sensitive to sudden shifts in water levels. So there is less room for error here then in many other locations.
Once the road is complete the major structural changes in the topography become set and then it is possible to make adjustments to get the drainage right. Sadly, the process of getting it right can take a few seasons which will add further stress to the bog. Those supporting the project say that they will have people on hand to make sure as little damage is done as possible, but the question being asked is how much damage is too much? That’s one I can’t answer.
Now how will suddenly born again greenie Gordon Campbell square his so called visionary BC green climate change plan with the probable BC Libs black topping death of burns bog? Listen carefully, you can hear the deathly silence too from Langley Libs Polak and Coleman on this issue loudly. Another fine example of Langley political leadership on display.
Blair,
That makes sense.
I think we are going to get this roadway regardless of all the people that are opposed. Pilings come to mind as a solution, but they will obviously find something even is the cost is more.
Methinks,
I agree with you. Ultimately the road is going to be built..it is certainly needed and there doesn't seem to be an alternative route that can be expanded to take the extra traffic. I only hope they are careful when they do build it. The Bog is a national ecological treasure (maybe even an international treasure).
Blair,
I hope that we all work together to assure your hopes for the careful construction of this project come true. It needs watching for sure.
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