Thursday April 24, 2014 (Vol. 39 No. 33)
V O I C E
O F
W H I T E
R O C K
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S O U T H
Code blue: Discipline, self-confidence and physical fitness are just some of the gains seen in students participating in an intense, yet encouraging, program led locally by RCMP Const. Troy Derrick. i see page 11
S U R R E Y
w w w. p e a c e a r c h n e w s . c o m
White Rock officials call on federal government to shift rail shipments to rural route
Dangerous goods urged for Sumas Tracy Holmes Staff Reporter
In a critical letter to Minister of Transport Lisa Raitt, White Rock officials say hauling dangerous goods by rail through their “densely populated” city is unacceptable. And they all but demand steps be taken to re-route such trains 30 kilometres east to a BNSF rail line that runs to and from the U.S. at Sumas Crossing in Abbotsford. In the letter dated April 8 – and received by Peace Arch News Tuesday – White Rock
Mayor Wayne Baldwin and Couns. Grant “Madame Minister, in light of the circumMeyer and Al Campbell say their small sea- stances we have outlined, I cannot stress side community is too populated to transport enough how important this situation is with noxious goods, from crude the dangerous goods,” the oil to chlorine, several times ❝It really is not a question of politicians write. “It really if a derailment occurs, it is a is not a question of if a a day through the area. A dangerous-goods derail- question of when it occurs.❞ derailment occurs, it is a ment “would be calamitous question of when it occurs.” City of White Rock – making the Lac Mégantic Sending the missive to incident look inconsequential by compari- Raitt was recommended by the city’s new railson,” the letter states, referring to the July 2013 safety task force last month. The idea received explosion in Quebec that killed 47 people. unanimous support from council March 31.
While the letter specifies a ‘spur line’ in Sumas, it suggests there are other options. “The City of White Rock would like to see all dangerous goods re-routed to the Sumas Crossing, or some other route available to the BNSFR,” the letter states. Informed Wednesday of White Rock’s letter, an Abbotsford councillor said re-routing dangerous goods through his community would be “shifting a problem to a different jurisdiction.” i see page 4
Tracy Holmes photos
A bald eagle surveys White Rock Monday from one of the tall trees left along the Marine Drive ‘hump,’ which underwent significant clearing last week.
‘Disgusting’ amount of garbage had to be dealt with, city says
Clearing concerns expressed after trim Tracy Holmes Staff Reporter
Work to clear shrubs, invasive vegetation and hazardous trees from White Rock’s waterfront hillside looked a little rough this week. But it will get better, officials say. Greg St. Louis, the city’s director of engineering and municipal operations, said Tuesday a city-contracted crew is continuing to fine-tune last week’s clearing, including cutting branches,
tidying trunks – and dealing with a “disgusting” amount of garbage. The work was undertaken in part to restore view corridors. The refuse – including numerous cans and bottles – was revealed during the removal of blackberry bushes and other shrubbery. “It’s very unfortunate that people litter that much,” St. Louis said. He said additional garbage cans will be placed in the area in an effort to curb the problem.
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Another surprise find that has to be dealt with is a trail and partially built stairs. While Peace Arch News heard from residents concerned about the aftermath of the clearing – one noting its possible impact on eagles that routinely roost in the hillside’s mature trees – St. Louis said he has fielded just one complaint. He anticipates the last of the work will be wrapped up by Monday, with results of a stability check of the hillside expected in a few weeks.
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