Public Consultation Comments:
Indeed there are alarge number of regulatory issues, and if Nova Scotia is thinking about expanding hydraulic fracturing, these MUST be addressed prior to any new sites being permitted. The provincial (and federal) government has too often allowed exploitation of our natural resources before having done its due diligence with regards to the environmental, social, and economic costs/IMPACTS; and before having in place enforceable regulations for industrial operations. When this occurs, it is the industry that is 'policing' itself. Self policing pretty much equals non-compliance.And consequently our environment and citizens are put at risk. (We all need water to drink and clean air to breathe,, but we do not necessarily Need hydraulic fracturing.)
I believe it is mandatory that rules and requirements for the industry be in place as statutes/regulations -so regulations areENFORCEABLE- prior to ANY new operations.Furthermore these regulations/requirements mustreflect the precautionary principle.
Nothing should be left to the Minister's or industry's discretion.
Monitoring and enforcement of regulationsmust be mandatory, and often this is where government is weakest, likely due to lack of funding. The companies should be levied to provide the funding for this. Furthermore, verylarge fines need to be written into the 'enforceable regulations'.This gives the industry 'an incentive' to comply.
Clearly full disclosure about the chemicals being used and the dangers attributable to them needs to be required - and disclosed, before they are used. There needs to be transparency- the operations, monitoring results, compliance issues, etc. etc. - the citizens have a right to know without having to file a FOIPOP, which often lacks any worthwhile information, as it has been 'whited' out.
Social license must be a requirement for operating. People's homes, lives, land, air ,water, communities are being affected. They must have the final word as towhether or not an operation is allowed in their proximity.
Should we allow more fracking? Thiscannot be determined untilmore is known scientifically about this process,AND the true economic benefits vs. the true social, economic and environmental costs have been determined. Knowledge gaps on all of these counts must be closed by INDEPENDENT, unbiasedresearchers.
Instead of government funding to companies, fund this research. If a company cannot succeed without government funding, thenperhaps it should not BE in business.
I hope thatthis truly is just a 'discussion paper' as there is so much that needs to be put into law and finalizedbefore Nova Scotiaexpandshydraulic fracturing, should it be leaning that way. I have seena discussion paper'serve' as thepublic consultation, and then the "department" HEARD what they wanted to hear only, and proceededto institute what they wanted to institute. That isnot how the democratic process is to work.Please let your citizens be heard above the din of industry. If hydraulic fracturing is to be expanded because THE PEOPLE want it, thenenact strict and enforceable regulations to protect the people, the water, the land, the air- the environment of this country.
Thank you for this discussion paper, and the opportunity to comment.
Sandra Hanson
resident of Freeport, NS