Letter to the Editor (Tri-City News)
August 8.2006

On Sewage Dumping Ban

I am writing in response to Mr. Thackray's recent letter regarding new regulations that will ban the dumping of raw sewage from boats within three nautical miles of Canada's coasts.
In his letter, he wrote: "I agree that putting raw sewage into the waterways is not desirable but with only one pump-out station serving the 1,100 boats at Reed Point, there is only one choice, and that is to dump in the water." I disagree.
Reed Point Marina is but one option for boaters in the lower mainland where boaters can pump out their sewage. Along with Reed Point, boaters can use pump stations at Burrard Bridge Civic Marina, Heather Civic Marina, False Creek Yacht Club, Coal Harbour Marina, Sea Protect Marine Ltd., Quayside Marina and Seycove Marina. Other pump stations are also being considered.
I don't doubt that boaters have had real frustrations in accessing dump stations from time to time and that more stations are certainly desirable and needed. However, for too long Canada has been operating without even an elementary standard of environmental protection when it comes to the dumping of sewage, paint, garbage and bilge water into our coastal waters and it is time to stop this irresponsibility.
With regard to enforcement, more resources have been budgeted for enforcing our laws and regulations, and if additional dollars are required, we will work with the RCMP and Coast Guard to meet their needs.
These regulations, which have been urged and supported by the boating community for years and are long overdue, are not a silver bullet solution that alone will solve all our coastal water policy concerns - that claim has never been made. What they are, however, are solid, common-sense laws - laws that are effectively used around the world - to keep our waters clean from the unnecessary dumping of raw sewage and other waste.

James Moore MP
Port Moody-Westwood-Port Coquitlam