Poverty Beech, Murray Harbour North, PEI - ruined by decades of sand mining Photo by R.B. Taylor, GSC
This time the environment won
By Stephen Pate, NJN Network, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada, May 10, 2009 with stories from the Eastern Graphic and West Prince Graphic
Island environmentalists and average citizens applaud the decision to stop sand mining on PEI. Previously the government allowed front end loaders to remove sand to the low tide line from PEI’s beaches. However, as the West Prince Graphic reported a small sand mining operator will be scaling back his business and employment.
We were told it didn’t matter. The sea would restore the sand. None of that was true as small operators stripped PEI of some its pristine beaches, decade after decade.
I lived in Murray Harbour North for a decade. The sand mining ruined Poverty Beach. It went from a wonderful and quiet beach to a rocky shore. That story was repeated in hundred’s of locations.
“John Aspin, a resident of the Pinette area, has been fighting the practice for many years and is one of about 350 residents across the Island who petitioned government with their concern.
He was happy with the decision and said Minister Brown should be commended for finally ending the practice. “The whole of the Island (coastline) was slowly receding and with the prospect of global warming and increased water levels, the Island shore front would disappear,” Mr Aspin said.
“Sand mining from the beaches has been gradually reduced over the years. The shoreline up to the high-water mark is federal jurisdiction and residents couldn’t understand how the province was granting these licenses on federal jurisdiction.”(from the Eastern Graphic)
Up in West Prince, a sand mining contractor says times will be hard for his business.
“Larry Stewart, co-owner of Stewart Enterprises Ltd along with his father John Stewart, founder of the 30 year old company, said they have been cut off from a big part of their income because of this decision.
“It’s quite a blow to a small company.” As a result, between three to four workers will not be called back this spring, “unless something awfully big comes along.” “We’ve had to tell them if they can get another job to take it. We couldn’t hire them back,” (West Prince Graphic)
We commiserate with Stewart and other contractors; however, we only have one small island. We need to save it for future generations and for our enjoyment today.
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