Calvin Sandborn receives VBA Contribution to the Law award
At the Victoria Bar Association AGM on November 3rd, 2016, Calvin Sandborn was presented with the VBA’s Contribution to the Law Award for his impact on environmental law, and in particular his work on the rehabilitation of the Jordan River on Vancouver Island.
Old mining operations had polluted the river so badly that there were very few fish left, and no salmon had returned for nearly 50 years. Biologist Dave Burt turned to Calvin for help and he, along with law student Matthew Nefstead, followed a trail of previous mine owners to track down who was responsible for the polluted land. With the help of BC Hydro, Teck Resources Inc., Western Forest Products and former property owners a remediation plan is in the works, and the salmon are already returning to the river.
This is an inspiring and hopeful example of environmental rehabilitation and the role environmental law can play in making it happen. Calvin Sandborn has dedicated his career to using the law to solve just such problems, so this is a well-deserved award.
The award is presented to “a member of the Victoria Bar who has had significant involvement in the development of a legal issue during the year, and which involvement reflects positively on the legal profession.”*
An article in The Globe and Mail tells the story of the Jordan River, and Calvin’s role in its rehabilitation:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/british-columbia/the-rebirth-of-the-river-jordan-in-bc-is-a-victory-for-biologicalactivism/article32385234/
Congratulations Calvin!