THERIAULT PLEASED WITH QUARRY DECISION,

T

Digby-Annapolis Liberal MLA is pleased the government

has rejected a proposal to build a basalt quarry and marine terminal on

Digby Neck and is calling on the government to create a plan to better

protect the coastal land and resources on places like Digby Neck and the

Islands.

Theriault has been opposed to the quarry since he was first elected

over four years ago.

“I’m glad the government has agreed with the recommendations of the

panel, and the people of Digby, and rejected this quarry,” said

Theriault. “However, this is just a first step. Today we won the

battle, but we still haven’t won the war.”

“What this is all about is protecting our coastal areas from

destruction. Mining and quarries are necessities but not at the expense

of the environment and the people in the area,” he said. “I hope

the minister takes a long look at this report and directs his staff to

examine ways to protect our coastal resources.”

Theriault says the province’s mining industry would also benefit from

the development of such a plan. “Right now mining companies don’t

know where they can mine and where they can’t. The current system

isn’t working for anyone.”

He adds says the negative impacts of the White Point’s quarry would

have far outweighed any benefits.

“The area needs economic development but this quarry would have

provided little in terms of job prosperity when compared to what it

could cost in damage to the environment and tourism,” he said. “The

jobs lost in these industries would have overshadowed any employment

opportunities the quarry would have brought. We have to look to the

future; we have to look at what is best for our children and their

children.”