To the Editor,
In a 1971 San Fernando earthquake in California, the Van Norman dam came close to failing and destroying a community of 80,000. Later examination indicated that part of the inner waterproof core disappeared. If it was full at the time or had the quake lasted longer it would have failed.
It illustrated the dangers of all earth dams.
Nanaimo is in the same danger area. Failure of our dams would kill more people than any of our buildings or bridges collapsing.
I don’t understand why there is so much opposition by members of council and others. Did they not do their homework and why does it take so long to start addressing such dangers? Do local people have to die first?
Ron Lillievia e-mail