The Nanoose Issueby former CRD Director Dietrich LuthThe current dispute between the BC and Federal Governments over weapons testing at Nanoose Bay is being dumbed down into a false issue in light of the potentially greater threat of Depleted Uranium pollution that may be contained in the torpedoes tested. Depleted Uranium is a radioactive by-product of Nuclear Power generation and used as a ballast in modern weaponry. Consequently the BC government has not credited the public with much intelligence by focusing exclusively on the weapons transportation issue. The BC government ought to also know that the BNA Act does not allow a Province to dictate foreign and defense policy to the Federal Government. In light of the fact that the Balkans are now contaminated with Depleted Uranium from spent shell casings and detonation residue, like in Iraq, this has the prospect of causing health problems among future generations of its inhabitants. The BC government would be better advised to query the extent of potential pollution by Depleted Uranium on the Nanoose Bay seabed.
What is the extent of this kind of pollution at Nanoose Bay if any? If the testing range is contaminated, then this should form the basis of any serious discussion between the BC and Federal Governments. Such evidence would give BC a valid reason to oppose the Federal Government’s efforts to continue its use of the range for testing purposes.
copyright 1999 Dietrich Luth
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