SPEC Headlines, Nov. 23, 2003

Young Gaspesian takes the  path less traveled
Jeanie LeLacheur

Jared Roberts is a 19 year old Gaspesian who, like most other young adults
spent the last few years trying  to decide on a life plan.   Jared, however,
unlike most youth of our time who seem to be caught up in the frenzy of
technology and a  "get ahead" world has decided to take a much simpler path
and follow a calling of a very different sort.
    Jared, son of Marlyn Roberts was born and lived most of his life in
Gaspé,  where he attended school, graduated from  the Human Science program
at the local college, and for a time considered becoming a physicist.
    He  was certain, even  shortly after high-school,  that he would follow
a more spiritual path than most, but he was still unsure at that time as to
where or how, so he  visited different places and orders in an attempt to
discover his true calling or purpose.

NB Environment Dept. lowered standards for Bennett's facility in Belledune
Gilles Gagné

    CARLETON - The New Brunswick Department of Environment had planned in
December 2002 to require a full impact assessment from Bennett Environmental
in relation to the company's projected contaminated soil incinerator in
Belledune. But former Environment minister Kim Jardine for unexplained
reasons changed her mind  a month later and only asked for an "Air Quality
Approval".
    The first letter written by Minister Jardine, dated December 18th, 2002,
and requiring an "Environmental Impact Assessment" under "Clean Environment
Act", was not signed, but the second one was signed by Minister Jardine.
    Other documents, obtained  by Environnement Vie, through  Access to
Information law, one of New Brunswick movements fighting against Bennett's
projected venture in Belledune, also show that consulting firm Jacques
Whitford, always described as "independent" by Bennett officials after
making their clean air study and human health risk assessment, is not so
independent. The consultant seems to do a lot of other work for Bennett
Environmental.


Noranda to decontaminate Sandy Beach Wharf sector
Jeanie LeLacheur

    Noranda confirmed in a recent meeting conclusions from their initial
sediment study  that there is no risk associated with the copper
contaminated sediment near the wharf in Sandy Beach.  The public meeting
held by Noranda Inc, Transport Canada, Environment Canada and Public Works
and Government Services Canada reassured regional representatives from the
Gaspé  using new scientific data,  that the sediment at Sandy Beach poses
absolutely no human or environmental risk. The first study presented in June
2002  to  the ³Comité de concentration de la baie de Gaspé,²   and citizens
of the region raised questions as to methods used and the analysis and
interpretation of results, which led to a more comprehensive study of the
contaminated area.
    New results reveal that although the sediment contamination in the
localized area between the wharf and the shoreline does have a negative
effect on organisms living there and will require intervention, there is no
health risk to humans or wildlife within the overall area targeted by the
study.