[LookOutSugarLake] History was made today!

[John Werring]

Congratulations Huguette and all who worked on this!!

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From: lookoutsugarlake-bounces at sensociety.org [mailto:lookoutsugarlake-bounces at sensociety.org] On Behalf Of handr at telus.net
Sent: Wednesday, May 23, 2007 7:02 PM
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Subject: [LookOutSugarLake] History was made today!


Wednesday 23 May, 2007 

This morning at 9 a.m., in Vernon, B.C., a new page of history was written when the North Okanagan Regional District (NORD) passed two new bylaws that prohibit private and commercial developments from discharging sewage effluents to water. The long accepted practice of discharging effluents to water has now been recognized as no longer acceptable in this region of the North Okanagan. Hopefully, all other regions will soon follow suit. 

This began six months ago, when a group of concerned citizens (SLAMSS) came together to oppose a development that proposed to discharge close to one hundred thousand liters of effluents per day into a pristine lake (Sugar lake) and river (the Middle Shuswap River). Between that day and today, numerous scientific studies have proven that effluents are causing negative effects on aquatic life and milieu, as well as on all beings who drink or swim in water that contains effluents. This is due mostly to the fact that effluent today contains pharmaceuticals as well as other damaging compounds (hormone mimickers) found in personal or home care products.

We now know with certainty that fish populations can become extinct from so called "gender benders" and that breast cancer tissues thrive in water that contains effluents. It was mentioned today that the cancer epidemic we are experiencing may in fact be traced directly to water that contains effluents. We know that even drinking water that has been treated still contains these compounds. We also know that swimming in water that contains effluents, as do most of our lakes, can have devastating effects as the skin is the biggest organ of our body. 

These bylaws were passed unanimously - all directors seemed eager to support them and to ensure that they would have the widest possible influence. The presence of a scientist who confirmed that discharging effluents to water was a practice to be shunned was undoubtedly a boost. Today's results are a prime example of the words uttered long ago by the cultural anthropologist Margaret Mead who said: "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."

Hopefully, the world will soon change enough so that we can all look upon the days when effluents were discharged to water with shock and dismay. Thanks to all who voiced their commitments, showed their concerns, and wrote the history our children will be living by. 

Huguette Allen.










 
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