The Environment Scrutiny Panel recently released their long awaited
report on the 'Energy from Waste Plant and Ramsar: Review Of Planning
Process'. We are concerned that after a year's work by a dedicated
team of politicians and their external highly respected advisers,
(Bioscan (UK) Ltd) there seems to be flat denials to nearly all of
the key findings from those responsible, particularly by the TTS Minister and his officers.
While claiming to welcome the document, they refuse to acknowledge any of
their departments shortcomings, whatsoever.
At Planning & Environment, however, some recommendations appear to have
been taken on board, as can be seen below in our Zephryus update.
SOS also welcome their long overdue initiative to re-form a Ramsar
working group - the first meeting of a new Jersey Management Authority is scheduled for 4th March 2010.
If you care for Jersey's Marine Environment, we recommend that you
read the report. It can now be downloaded from our website as a PDF
- Just click on the cover pic.
INCINERATOR
POLLUTION - COMPARE AND CONTRAST
THE FACTS TO TTS 'SPIN'
"Analysis
of water has been taken within the site, and I have to say that the
water within the site is purer than the water outside."
(Constable
Mike Jackson, Minister for TTS, speaking on BBC Jersey Today, Friday
5th February, 2010)
LEFT:
The States Analyst's report showing high levels of toxic heavy metals in
water samples within the incinerator pit 11/02/2009.
This report accompanied the Water Discharge Permit which was later
withdrawn.
SOS
took a series of photos at the time the samples on the left were anaysed.
These showed seawater entering the pit twice daily, which subsequently returned to sea as the tide went out.
Toxic heavy metals would have been transported to our South East Coast Ramsar Site, in
solution or suspension.
In
the JEP, Friday 5th February, 2010 (the same day as the BBC Jersey
interview) this report appeared:
'Mr. Jackson also said that allegations that tidal water washed in
and out of the site were "not founded on an accurate
or considered reflection of the facts" He added:
"Controls were in place and were implemented by my
department, by the project manager appointed for the construction
and by the contractor to ensure that no damage to the Ramsar site
occurred."
SOS
comment: No effective remediation was put in place for three
months, until after the incident of 28th April, reported to SOS by
the Project Manager's Representative. This pollution has not yet been
notified
to UK Ramsar Authorities under Article 3.2 of the Ramsar Convention on
Wetlands of International Importance.
The unacceptable delay in remediation has been confirmed by the Environment Scrutiny Panel's findings,
which are of course wholly rejected by TTS. Mr Jackson has presumably been ill advised by his officers.
Click on the thumbnail to the right to read a report sent to SOS by
the Project Manager referred to by Mr. Jackson in the JEP article.
ZEPHRYUS
UPDATE
Following
a positive meeting recently at Planning and Environment, with the
Principal Planner responsible for this development, we are pleased
to confirm that we have received assurance that a secant piling system
will now be mandatory in protecting the Zephryus project from ingress
of seawater. This problem has been the core of our concerns with regard
to other waterfront developments, both at La Collette and West of Albert. Furthermore
we have suggested that as a condition of any planning consent, the
three week (approximate) excavation period be independently monitored.
SOS wait to have this condition confirmed by Planning. SOS have requested
that similar conditions are put in place for the next large waterfront
development, Castle Quay 2.
Save Our Shoreline February 2010
working to protect our marine environment.
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