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British Columbia - rancher's revolt

Kathy

Well-known member
Remind me please, where in BC did they find their BSE cow? I think it was the lower mainland - but I don't remember.

Interesting articles from "The Tyee" an online news paper.

Link: http://thetyee.ca/News/2007/03/30/RanchRevolt/

Link: http://thetyee.ca/News/2007/01/04/Falkoski/

Here's the first part of this article on Joe Falkoski of BC. The article is 9 pages long and very worth reading. Mr. Falkoski lost cattle from various exposures to the mine tailings and activities. Who will be next?


Joe Falkoski says he's being forced by bad laws to allow toxic mining on his land. A special report.

By Kendyl Salcito
Published: January 4, 2007
TheTyee.ca
What do you do if you are a rancher told by a company -- and then the courts -- that there is nothing you can do to stop your rangeland from being dug up and further strewn with radiation?

If you are Joe Falkoski, you refuse to take no for an answer.

The Kettle Valley rancher fears mining for barite in radioactive soil on his property is a threat to his land, his livestock and the health of people in his community. He lost his latest court battle in September, but vows not to give up a fight that concerns many citizens across B.C.'s southern interior.

Falkoski believes the court ruling and provincial mining laws essentially require him to go into partnership with a venture-capital mining company that has already damaged his property and failed to repair it.

The dispute is just one of many to arise since the provincial government relaxed policies and regulations to promote the development of subsurface mineral, oil and gas claims on otherwise private land.

Zena Capital Corp. believes it is entitled to enter the land, since the Mines Ministry's Mediation and Arbitration Board gave it the go-ahead in February of this year.

Falkoski rejected the arbitration board's ruling, insisting that he was given no opportunity to air his concerns in either mediation or arbitration hearings.

He wanted no responsibility for any of the mining activities taking place on his property, so he rejected settlement money awarded following the hearing. "They can do what they want, but I won't have any part of it. I won't accept their money -- I refuse to be held complicit in their liability and responsibility."

Falkoski, 80, is fuming about the way the provincial government has dealt with his dilemma. Drawn out discussions and tribunal hearings through the mines ministry have failed to protect his now radioactive and barren rangeland.

Falkoski believes his experience with government officials reflects a Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum that is unable to effectively manage the industry it governs.

What's more, he believes the regulations fail to fairly protect the rights of private landowners and the public's health.

It's a complex story that now involves citizens throughout the Kettle, Similkameen and Okanagan valleys who dread the growing exploration and mining in an area rich with radioactive minerals.

Where was the BC - BSE cow found again?

Here's some more from the article:

Radiation present

At that point MacLean had done no radiation testing at all, even though the Kettle River area is known for its high presence of radon, a radioactive gas linked to lung cancer, emphysema and other respiratory diseases. The dirt is laced with uranium and thorium, which release radon at elevated rates compared to most places, about five times the exposure recommended by Health Canada. Falkoski suspected that debris from the work had even higher radiation levels than the surrounding ground. He asked MacLean to test -- a request that MacLean denies fulfilling.

When MacLean started shaving off the tops of knolls without asking, Falkoski says, he lost patience and turned to the Mines Ministry for help.

Meanwhile, the hazardous minerals piled higher and the six-inch-wide, 60-foot-deep holes throughout Falkoski's cattle range remained unreclaimed. Spring rains filled sumps that MacLean left unfilled and cattle drank from them.

Then, Falkoski says, three cattle fell ill. They all died the next winter. "I've never had an animal get sick and die on my land, except after these drill cuttings were left out over the winter," he said. The cuttings that MacLean had left on the property contained silica sediment and uranium -- both dangerous when they contaminate drinking water. Two more cattle were crippled when they fell into uncovered drill holes. When they failed to recover, they were both shot.

You'll have to read the whole article to get "the rest of the story"......

This is a co-inciding article at the same link]

Digging in Against Dust, Radiation
Citizens press officials to halt mine.

Rancher Joe Falkoski's fight to prevent mining on his land has support from some equally determined neighbours. The Committee for a Clean Kettle Valley is alarmed by the prospect of digging up an area that the B.C. Centre for Disease Control has noted for its high background radiation.

Tests at Kettle Valley schools (most recently published in 1999) showed a concentration of radon (a radioactive gas) second highest for 365 schools surveyed throughout the province. The barite mine would be less than a kilometre from Rock Creek's elementary school.

Citizens also worry because the ore is 20 per cent silica, which, when ground down, creates toxic dust.

"Ore that contains more than 10 per cent...silica presents special hazards in mining, transportation and milling," industrial ventilation engineer Ed Chessor stated in a letter to the Mines Ministry. Chessor noted the dust can cause silicosis, a degenerative lung disease.

Rock Creek locals collected 140 signatures (in a community with just 300 mailboxes) on a petition demanding a halt to the mining. The petition was sent to Zena Capitol Corp., the firm wanting to mine Falkoski's land, as well as the mines, environment, and forestry ministries.

The concern over mining and radioactivity extends beyond Rock Creek now that uranium prospecting is picking up again in B.C.

In 1980, then-premier Bill Bennett issued a seven-year moratorium on uranium mining, citing health risks, as uranium claims began popping up throughout the Okanagan and Kettle River valleys. By the time the moratorium ended in 1987, uranium had dropped in value and the push to find it in B.C. seemed dead.

However, uranium prices are now higher than they were at their previous peak in the 1970s -- up 150 per cent in the past year alone.

In places where uranium is present, mining other ores also can release radiation (as on the Falkoski land). And the province now allows radiation levels related to mining 15 times higher than in the days of the moratorium, according to the mining industry's 2003 Health Safety and Reclamation codebook.

In a town meeting held by Zena and attended by mines officials in October of 2004, Rock Creek residents demanded more extensive radiation tests. Mining inspector Reid said: "We barely have enough money for our ministry to attend meetings." Reid said his ministry lacks the resources to test for hazards before mines begin full production. Those responsibilities, he said, are left to miners on an honour system.

In 2002, the B.C. Liberal government eliminated 106 Mines Ministry jobs and empowered mining officials, rather than civil servants, to oversee environmental permitting.

Critics note the province and other levels of government often end up paying millions to repair sites torn up and polluted by mining.

"Monitoring remains a huge problem," Sierra Legal Defence Fund lawyer Lara Tessaro told The Tyee. "Small communities faced with giant mine proposals often have very limited timeframes in which to provide public input. They don't even have, under provincial legislation, the automatic right to provide public input."

-- Kendyl Salcito

Kendyl Salcito is a Vancouver-based journalist who has covered mining and other issues for The Tyee
.

This is a very sad situation indeed. And your community could be next.... what mines and minerals do you have under your ranch-lands?
 

Econ101

Well-known member
In the U.S., if I am not mistaken, the landowner has the right to mineral rights unless there has been some separation of mineral rights from the deed at some time. If it is govt. land that the rancher owns grazing rights to, the land and minerals are separate.

Did this rancher own the land (similar to deeded land) or was it grazing rights only?
 

Aaron

Well-known member
My question is, when surrounded by those elements, who wants to live there, seriously? Think of private wells alone...they have to have some contamination in them. The country is so huge that you needn't live in an area that poses a health hazard just walking over it?
 

Kathy

Well-known member
In Canada there are a "very few" land owners that had mineral rights prior to the Government declaring ownership of those rights, I believe in or around 1905'ish. Any land sold after that time was sold without the mineral rights. The Crown owns the vast majority of mineral rights, and they sell the "privilege" of developing them via various methods, auctions, etc. Then the Government charges "royalties". It is generally akin to giving away the farm for a few peanuts.

The gentleman in this article, as I understand it, owns his land, not the mineral rights... In Canada, if you don't own the mineral rights, you are not able to STOP development of mines and minerals - if the government sells the privilege to develop them. When, if, you refuse to allow access to your land (which you own, excepting the mines and minerals as stipulated on your land titles certificate; - meaning you own it from top to bottom [heaven to hell] you just don't own those mines and minerals) the government can grant a "right of entry" forcing the landowner to allow the exploration company onto your property. Thus it is extremely important to know what is "defined" as a mine or mineral.

The BC area(s) may have high levels of back-ground radiation, but it is the disturbing of the soils and rocks which releases levels which become clearly (more quickly) toxic. It is the government's duty to its people to ensure that the water, food and air that residents are exposed to are below levels "deemed" hazardous. As long as government's tell/sell the people on the safety issues, then people suffering from these exposures will not question things. The raising of standards to 15 times the levels that were in place in the 70s (when the uranium mining moritorium was set up) shows that the government is now "far more interested" in the potential profits? from development of these "government owned resources" than caring for the residents/constituents of the province.

Sadly, development for development sake has taken on more toxic meaning with the expansion of the AB Tar Sands, coal bed methane development and uranium/mineral mining programs. When is the cost to health and environment too much to allow these "business programs" to continue. I am very upset that all over this world the strength of individual countries is being wittled away in order to benefit the "whole" of the "New World Order" (and few select companies).

The New World Order, demands the elimination of border tariffs, regulations and social standards (etc) which "make" and "identify" each country as a separate entitity. Everyone within the "group", ie European Union and soon to be complete "North American Union" is forced to operate under the same standards and rules. Pay attention for the NAU's new currency, the "Amero".

What this means for Canada, USA and Mexico (North American Union), is the leveling of social standards. Considering the high level of standards enjoyed by most parts of Canada and the USA, and the low standards of living which most Mexican's exist, the only way for Canada and the USA standards to go is DOWN.

The Security and Prosperity Partnership (SPP) arrangements taking place between the three north american countries (the three Amigos) are back-door negotiations and plans which will integrate our military, monetary system, health care and all "standards" of living. Secret meetings of those involved in the "cabal" recently took place in pictureque Banff, AB last fall (at the now "Saudi owned" Fairmont Hotel chain's Banff Springs Hotel - the jewel of the rookies).

Do a google search on it. Judicial Watch of the USA managed to get some of the agenda and preparation notes on the meetings - the whole deal is truly "treasonist" against the sovereignty of each individual nation.

Canada is being sold out from under - literally. Canadians are being told to shut up and accept a "resource based economy" - even though it is not sustainable in the long term. As long as workers are fat and happy, they will not complain. It usually isn't until they are sick with cancer or some other chronic debilitating disease that they even start to become aware of the environmental and health crises we are facing.

It is the duty of our governments to protect us from these foreign interests and the pollution and environmental impact of development of these natural resources.

How would you vote? Is the Alberta (our your own) government doing enough to protect its citizens from the ravages associated with the physical mining/exploration of natural resources (in our backyards)?

I have come to realize that in Alberta, in my opinion, they are not!

Radioactive materials should be left alone and not mined. If trace amounts exist, as they do in coal, then emission controls must be in place to capture these toxins. Nuclear power and mining is just plain stupid!
We need to accept that wind, solar and other environmentally less damaging power sources must be "encouraged", as well as concervation and less commercialism.

We have to decide, "are we here for a (short) good old time, or a long time?" Do you want to end up in a nursing home drugged-up and peeing in a dipper? Or do you want to have quality of life with strong family units?

Joe Falkoski of BC saw a potential for income from the mining on his property, but it did not take long before he realized that the only one left to live the the "end results" was him (and his surrounding community members). The companys that perform the exploration don't have the same vested interest in doing things right. They, for the most, only do things with the least financial cost. In the long run..... development gone amuck costs the Province of BC, Alberta, Sask....etc... much more than their return.

It is the job of government to limit development. AB Premier Ed Stalmach seems to think his job is only to make such development "limitless". Albertans need to wake up and take control of this province - for the good of Albertans and not for the good of the multinational corporations, eg. Halliburton (who just moved their headquarters to Dubai).
 

rkaiser

Well-known member
I think that the best way to wake up Kathy is to do something ourselves and hope that others follow. I applaud your efforts for the people of our province and country, and would suggest looking at or investing time and energy in the movement that has begun. Suzuki has a new book out called "Good News - for a change". I have only just started reading the book, but even David admits from the very beginning that change is happening, and the battle against the "New World Order" is far from over. Even a crotchety old neighbor of mine who we both know from just north of Rimbey admits that he sees it in Agriculture. People can be woken up, but must be led, and not only taught. Speaking of Rimbey - a new gen co-op is being introduced to produce ethanol from waste. Mostly straw but also "sifted though" garbage. I think I may look at a little investment of time and money.

Randy
 

Kathy

Well-known member
New Guidlines proposed for radon in homes:
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/print/CTVNews/20070612/radon_070612/20070612/?hub=TopStories&subhub=PrintStory

Updated: Tue. Jun. 12 2007 11:16 PM ET

Health Canada is proposing to sharply tighten standards for radon in homes and public buildings to reduce the risk of lung cancer.

"A lifetime exposure to radon is an increased risk of your getting lung cancer," Pat Wall of the Radon Advisory Group told CTV News.

The new rules would require remedial measures when average radon concentrations in a living space exceed 200 becquerels per cubic meter. Canada's current standard permits 800 becquerels per cubic metre of air.

A becquerel measures the radioactivity of a radioactive source -- a measure of the disintegration of one radioactive atom per second, according to the Health Canada website.

The new guidelines will state that the higher the radon concentrations, the sooner remedial measures would have to be undertaken.

The proposed guidelines would bring Canada into line with many other countries which have already brought in lower limits.

"Health Canada has recommended a four-fold reduction in the guidelines based on new scientific evidence," said the agency's Dr. Jack Cornett.

Radon is an odourless and colourless gas produced by the decay of naturally occurring uranium in the soil.

While it's not hazardous outdoors where it's diluted by air, it becomes dangerous when it enters homes through basement cracks, hollow support posts, openings for utility connections and the water supply. Radon levels are generally highest in basements and crawl spaces because these areas are nearest to the source and are usually poorly ventilated.

"People should test their homes for Radon no matter where they are living," said Wall.

Radon is considered the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers. Health Canada says 1,600 Canadians died of lung cancer caused by radon in 2000, and that figure could be reduced by a third with tighter limits.

Radon levels in indoor air can be lowered in various ways, such as sealing cracks in floors and walls or increasing the ventilation rate of the building. It is the responsibility of the homeowner to determine radon levels in their home.

Health Canada is inviting public comment for 60 days before it proceeds to final drafting of the radon guideline. Comments on the proposed target can be sent to [email protected] or by mail to:

Radon, Radiation Protection Bureau,
Health Canada
775 Brookfield Road
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 1C1

The period for submission of comments will close on August 9, 2007.

With a report from CTV's John Vennavally-Rao

exposure to Radon will cause alot more than lung cancer!!

Inhalation of the radio-isotope can cause "translocation" not just to the lungs but to the brain, via the olfactory system.

Natural distribution of environmental radon daughters in the
different brain areas of an Alzheimer Disease victim

Berislav Momčilović*1, Glenn I Lykken2 and Marvin Cooley3

Abstract
Background: Radon is a ubiquitous noble gas in the environment and a primary source of harmful radiation exposure for humans; it decays in a cascade of daughters (RAD) by releasing the cell damaging high energy alpha particles.

Results: We studied natural distribution of RAD 210Po and 210Bi in the different parts of the postmortem brain of 86-year-old woman who had suffered from Alzheimer's disease (AD). A distinct brain map emerged, since RAD distribution was different among the analyzed brain areas.
The highest RAD irradiation (mSv·year-1) occurred in the decreasing order of magnitude: amygdale (Amy) >> hippocampus (Hip) > temporal lobe (Tem) ~ frontal lobe (Fro) > occipital lobe (Occ) ~ parietal lobe (Par) > substantia nigra (SN) >> locus ceruleus (LC) ~ nucleus basalis (NB); generally more RAD accumulated in the proteins than lipids of gray and white (gray > white) brain matter. Amy and Hip are particularly vulnerable brain structure targets to significant RAD internal radiation
damage in AD (5.98 and 1.82 mSv·year-1, respectively). Next, naturally occurring RAD radiation for Tem and Fro, then Occ and Par, and SN was an order of magnitude higher than that in LC and NB; the later was within RAD we observed previously in the healthy control brains.

Conclusion: Naturally occurring environmental RAD exposure may dramatically enhance AD deterioration by selectively targeting brain areas of emotions (Amy) and memory (Hip).

This paper is available free on-line, just google it.

The decay products and their timelines for Radon daughters can be found at wikipedia... this is a short example:

R-nuclide Half-life Energy (MeV -million electron Volts)
222Radon 3.82 days 5.5 Alpha

218Polonium 3.05 minutes 6.0 Alpha

214lead 26.8 minutes 0.7 - 1.0 Beta

214Bismuth 19.7 minutes 3.3 Beta

214Polonium 0.16 milliseconds 7.7 Alpha

210Lead 22.6 years 0.1 Beta

210Bismuth 5 days 1.2 Beta

210Polonium 138 days 5.3 Alpha (recently used to killed
the X-Russian spy in London)

206Lead Stable (not radio-active, yet still very toxic)

J Comp Pathol. 1984 Apr;94(2):215-31.
Neuropathological lesions in experimental lead toxicosis of dogs.

Hamir AN, Sullivan ND, Handson PD.

Light microscopical examinations were carried out on the central and peripheral nervous systems of 9 dogs maintained on a high-fat-low-calcium diet and dosed orally with a mixture of lead chloride, lead bromide and lead sulphate. Microscopic lesions were present in 7 (78 per cent) of the lead-treated dogs. Cerebrocortical lesions comprising spongiosis, vascular hypertrophy and gliosis predominated. These lesions were bilateral, had a predilection for gyri and were located mainly in the parietal and frontal cortex. There were bilaterally symmetrical spongiform changes in the brain stem. The cerebellum had spongiform changes in the roof nuclei and in the lingula there was spongiosis of the Purkinje cell layer and vacuolation of Purkinje cells. Axonal degeneration was evident in a sciatic nerve of one dog. In a second experiment, designed to study the early ultrastructural changes in the brains of dogs with lead intoxication, 2 groups of dogs, one on a commercial balanced diet and the other fed a high-fat-low-calcium diet, were given similar amounts of lead. Cytoplasmic accumulation of lipid was found in the cerebrovascular pericytes of all dogs treated with lead but vascular changes were otherwise not obvious. Quantitative evaluation of numbers of blood vessels by light microscopy revealed an apparent increase in all dogs receiving lead. This increase in vascularity was greatest in the dogs fed the high-fat-low-calcium diet.

PMID: 6736309

Therefore, if stable lead is this dangerous and causes spongiform changes in the brains of dogs fed lead; what is the pathological consequence of people and animals inhaling, ingesting and absorbing radioactive isotopes and interanal contamination?

The faster the half-life, the more "transformations" and "zaps" by the millions of electron volts released by each such disintegration. Considering the cells of our body operate at 3-6 electron volts, to give them a zap with "millions of electron volts" what would you expect to happen to the cell? DEATH...

The Alz. study states:

The biological quality of different types of
radiation is different (alpha being the most adverse to the
biological tissue), and when the results are corrected for
the high biological quality factor of alpha radiation, Amy
will receive a fifteen-times greater biological effective radiation
dose than the whole human body over the entire
year (5980 vs. 450 µSi·y-1, respectively). Approximately
one million of Amy cells will be killed in a year, an equivalent
of one gram of that 10 gram heavy brain structure.
This estimate is a very conservative approximation, based
on only three direct cell kills per decayed high energy
alpha particle, since as much as fifty cells may be irreparably
injured and die after some delay by a single 210Po
alpha particle as a result of the "bystander effect" [44].

Exposure to Radon gas in your basement is alot bigger danger than Health Canada declares.

The large mountains of uranium mine tailings are releasing Radon gas clouds which are 8 x heavier than the regular atmosphere/air and can travel many miles in a day... depositing their radio-active decay products where-ever they travel, especially where it is rained, or snowed out.

UFBC Coalition Demands Ban on Exploration and Mining

(Uranium Free British Columbia)...Note: Joe Falkoski spoke at this conference... he is the rancher who had cattle die as a result of botched one-man mining operations, Kettle Valley...

Over two hundred people gathered Saturday at the Brilliant Cultural Center, in Castlegar, for a Public Information and Action Forum on Uranium, which featured talks, visual and choral presentations, information displays, vegetarian potluck feast and planning meeting.

"This has been a very successful gathering," said Peter Chataway, Canadian Coalition for Nuclear Responsibility, who Chaired the Coalition strategy meeting after lunch.

Participants reflected a rich blend of diversity, from throughout the Province and the Washington, consisting of delegates from many organizations, Native Bands and Interior health, as well as doctors, mothers, farmers, independent business, a lawyer and judge, a professor, fathers, youth and grandparents.

The morning program was facilitated by Laura Savinkoff, BC Representative of the Canadian Peace Alliance who reminded the conference to not ignore the "moral issues" associated with our concerns over the health impacts of local mining operations.

The morning program opened with a prayer offered on behalf of the Sinixt by Billy Jo Bray followed by music by the Uranium Free Doukhobor Choir.

Seven speakers took the rest of the morning to outline a complex issue in which Federal and Provincial mining regulations were drawn to encourage mineral exploitation with little regard to the dangers posed by ionizing radiation.

"What you people are doing here is very important," said Dr. Woollard, a speaker at the Forum, and Royal Canadian Legion Professor and Head of UBC Department of Family Practice. Dr. Woollard spoke of the health and environmental impacts and the lessons to be learned from the struggle to ban Uranium mining in the 70's. He represented the BC Medical Association to the Bates Commission's Royal Inquiry on Uranium mining.

Alfred Webre, of Vancouver, reported on research, which has revealed the Canadian Federal Government's failure to enforce an existing prohibition on the use of Canadian Uranium in weapons production. Joe Falkoski, member of a Clean Kettle Valley, and Rob Westie talked about existing regulations and changes to the Tenant Miners Act, which undermines private property rights in favor of mineral exploration. Former Green Party Candidate Scott Leyland brought a humorous take to educating folks about the hidden economic and ecological costs of nuclear power generation, while Alex Atamanenco, Member of Parliament, and Katrine Conroy, MLA, both stated their support of a ban to exploration and mining of Uranium in BC. John Suttie, of BC Sustainable Energy Association wrapped up the information session outlining viable alternative energy solutions.

Participating Coalition members from many regions of BC and Northern Washington agreed on the following demands:

A legislative ban on uranium exploration and mining in BC
That testing be conducted to ensure that proposed land disturbing activities do not pose a threat of radioactive exposure to the surrounding environment and that the cautionary principle guide the regulation of land disturbing activities in areas where Uranium and related ionizing radiation can be mobilized.

The Uranium Free BC Coalition is urging their member groups to lobby their local, Regional and Provincial Governments to achieve these ends.

"In Ontario, Uranium mining in Elliott Lake has contaminated the community and its water forever," said Nadine Podmoroff, Forum Coordinator. "This is not the legacy our community is willing to leave for our children. Today we've heard about the local and global impacts of uranium. Now we'll return to our communities to share what we've learned and continue our work."

For more information:
http://uraniumfreebc.org
http://uraniumfreekootenayboundary.ca
 

Ben Roberts

Well-known member
rkaiser said:
I think that the best way to wake up Kathy is to do something ourselves and hope that others follow. I applaud your efforts for the people of our province and country, and would suggest looking at or investing time and energy in the movement that has begun. Suzuki has a new book out called "Good News - for a change". I have only just started reading the book, but even David admits from the very beginning that change is happening, and the battle against the "New World Order" is far from over. Even a crotchety old neighbor of mine who we both know from just north of Rimbey admits that he sees it in Agriculture. People can be woken up, but must be led, and not only taught. Speaking of Rimbey - a new gen co-op is being introduced to produce ethanol from waste. Mostly straw but also "sifted though" garbage. I think I may look at a little investment of time and money.

Randy

Randy, I believe you would be wise to invest in such a co-op. I don't know where this new energy business may be going, but I believe it will be along ride. Invest in it wisely though.

Best Regards
Ben Roberts
 

Kathy

Well-known member
Uranium Free BC website map of roughly where known uranium deposits are located in BC:

http://uraniumfreebc.org/deposits.php

check it out....
 
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