(haipo) – A few days ago, we published here in Haifa about the intention of the National Planning and Building Council to find an alternative site for storing fuel distillates, outside of Haifa Bay. One of the sites mentioned in the announcement is the Ein Ayla quarry site, which is located within the boundaries of the Hof Carmel Regional Council. Not surprisingly, the announcement was not received well by the residents of the Hof Carmel Regional Council, who have already announced a struggle against the plan.
Authorities in the Carmel Beach area warn: "The Ministry of Environmental Protection wants to move "Death Street" from Haifa Bay to Fordyce"
Following the National Council's decision to promote the Ein Ayala alternative as part of TAMA 75, local authorities in the Carmel region are intensifying the public struggle against the intention to move the polluting petrochemical industry facilities from Haifa Bay to the Ein Ayala quarry, a step that will severely harm nearby communities, create huge traffic jams throughout the region, and constitute a security and safety hazard.
Petrochemical facilities in close proximity to settlements
According to residents of the area, who contacted the Haifa system, the relocation of petrochemical facilities to the Carmel Beach area could cause serious environmental and health damage, due to its location only 400 meters from the homes of young couples in the new neighborhoods in Fordyce. The distillery farm in question will include, according to the plan, underground storage of approximately 500,000 tons of polluting distillates, in addition to an above-ground storage and distribution facility, which will contain, they say, approximately 270,000 tons.
Map – Ein Ayala Quarry
Assif Isaac: "We strongly oppose the transfer of pollution to the Carmel Beach area"
"We are in favor of removing the petrochemical industry from Haifa Bay, but we strongly oppose transferring the pollution to another location," says the head of the Carmel Beach Regional Council, Asif Isaac. "The Ein Ayla quarry is located in close proximity to various communities, especially Fordyce, and also to the coastal aquifer route - the vital underground water reservoir that provides about a fifth of Israel's drinking water. Promoting the Ein Ayla alternative, as proposed by the Ministry and the Minister of Environmental Protection, is simply moving the 'street of death' from one population to another, and this is unacceptable."
Authorities in the Carmel region, led by the Hof Carmel Regional Council, the Fordyce Council, and the Zichron Yaakov Council, began acting against the move about two years ago.
The joint struggle headquarters that was established prepared and presented a series of opinions, written by experts from Israel and abroad in a variety of fields - security, economics, transportation and the environment, according to which the Ein Ayla alternative is the most dangerous alternative from a health perspective, the most expensive from a financial perspective and the most problematic from a strategic perspective.
According to estimates, the move will lead to an additional 800 fuel trucks per day on Highway 4, which will cause heavy traffic congestion and endanger road users. In addition, the proximity of the facilities to populated areas and nature reserves poses a huge risk to the health of residents and ecosystems.
The regional struggle headquarters told the following:
"The plan to remove pollutants from Haifa Bay was born after the state realized that it was impossible for residents to live in such close proximity to such dangerous and polluting substances. We are in favor of removing Haifa Bay, but transferring the pollution to other residents is simply foolish. The Ein Ayla alternative includes real dangers of leaks, soil contamination, groundwater contamination, the risk of fires and explosions, and a real risk to public safety. We call on the public to join us in the fight for our homes and the health of all of us."
The dream state of Haifa is sick of this and now they are transferring it to Carmel Beach? Do you want to eliminate the residents of Haifa and Carmel Beach? Let them answer the question why they are transferring it.