The Rock Report - October 2007
While you'd have a better chance catching a cold before getting a sun tan these days at Crescent Rock Beach, it's still a great place to go for a walk to see to the abundant wildlife which inhabits this secluded coastline. Besides the masses of waterfowl which are stopping over and feeding along the beach as part of their annual migration along the Pacific Flyway, harbour seals can also be found resting on the beds of eelgrass that are now washing ashore. This picture of a harbour seal was taken after dusk just south of the Crescent Rock boulder. Bring a blanket and enjoy watching a sunset, then keep an eye out for the seals and other animals which call this rugged beach their home.
Harbour Seal at Crescent Rock Beach
Photo by Don Pitcairn
Another month, another standing room only Council meeting with angry residents complaining about Nav Canada's new YVR landing vector. This time it was Delta's turn with a basic re-run of the same dog and pony show that occurred a month earlier in Surrey. Nav Canada officials once again continued to ignore peoples requests for a face-to-face meeting, likely hoping opposition will eventually wither on the vine. This is rather unlikely as a new organization called SCAAN (Surrey Citizens Against Aircraft Noise) has been formed to keep the pressure on Nav Canada to rethink this new vector. They can be reached at scaans@gmail.com for more information or to become a member.
After researching this subject SUN believes the new flight path for Runway 26 at VYR which put low-flying commercial jet airliners over residential neighbourhoods and the beaches of Surrey, Delta, and White Rock was illegally imposed by Nav Canada. The Civil Air Navigation Services Commercialization Act (CANSCA) is the legislation which gave control over Canadian skies to this monopoly and it also limits their powers. When vector changes are proposed, Nav Canada must post this information on its website and give people a forum for their opposition to be known. Nav Canada ignored these provisions and simply forced their plan on an unsuspecting public.
If you don't like this flight vector being rammed down your throat, having roaring jets flying over your home day and night, or believe that Crescent Rock Beach should be protected from noise pollution, then take a few minutes to reverse this flawed decision. Since you're already at the computer, simply copy and paste the following letter onto an email and send it to the Transportation Minister asking him to revoke this vector. If enough of the 550,000 residents of Surrey, Delta and White Rock do this simple thing, the Minister will be forced to act and rescind Nav Canada's new flight path. If you can't be bothered, then you'd better get used to a constant parade of jets over the shores of Crescent Rock Beach and surrounding lands every summer for the foreseeable future.
Email address: mintc@tc.gc.ca
Dear Hon. Min. Lawrence Cannon,
I am contacting you regarding NAV Canada's new STAR flight path for Runway 26 at YVR that was implemented May 10, 2007, which has negatively impacted the cities of Surrey, Delta and White Rock in British Columbia, Canada.
Part 2 of the Civil Air Navigation Services Commercialization Act (CANSCA) pertains to changing of services, which includes altering flight vectors. NAV Canada did not act reasonably or in good faith and overstepped their authority by ignoring the provisions laid forth in this section of the Act when unilaterally imposing their vector change.
Nav Canada’s March 9, 2007 news release detailing the changes in this YVR flight path is insufficient with regards to the CANSCA. While it states that the STAR for Runway 26 would be altered it did not give any specifics, directions, or diagrams to accompany this change. Nav Canada also failed to post this information on their website for public consumption. Because of these transgressions, I was not properly informed of this change and was unable to make a representation to Nav Canada with my concerns.
As Minister of Transportation, it is your duty to ensure that this government created monopoly, which now controls Canadian skies adheres to the CANSCA. I am officially requesting that you intervene on my behalf and rescind this flight corridor change as Nav Canada ignored the CANSCA and imposed this flight corridor in clear violation of the provisions contained within the Act. The STAR used previous to May 10th for Runway 26 at YVR should be reinstated and any changes to this vector not be allowed unless proper protocol is followed by Nav Canada as outlined in the CANSCA.
I would strongly suggest that the obligatory newspaper ads which Nav Canada must run in community newspapers when requesting rate changes should also be used to alert and inform the Canadian public when flight vector alterations are proposed. Proper public consultation and environmental consideration also need to be enshrined in the CANSCA for future vector changes.
Sincerely,
Your Name, Address, City, B.C.