A complex of buried school buses used to construct a 10,000 s.f. fallout shelter.

Bruce also puts out an internet newsletter at no charge.

Although one may not agree with Bruce's opinions on many subjects, he is a man of wisdom and his thoughts (that he shares) are always worth the time to consider.

I get his newsletter and I find food for thought in each one, which is a personal indorsement to all to subscribe.

I'm actually working on one of his projects, which I consider worthwhile: evaluate/catalogue "freeware" texts regarding third world developement, in the context of post-TEOWATKI value.

I don't 100% agree with his politics/philosophy/religion, but I do find him an invaluable resource and a terrific watchdog

I love his not so subtle comment about the fence they had to put up:

The fence was ordered by the Fire Marshal simply for the purpose of keeping vandals out, with the concern of protecting the vandals.

I'm thinking the Fire Marshall knows that there's enough firepower in that thing to repel a lot more than just "vandals"... so the fence is the Fire Marshall's way of keeping the local mischevious youth from getting shot?

I agree completely with Billy but I totally disagree with your comments concerning firepower on the premises. One of my biggest concerns/fears for Bruce and the Ark II has concerned the major lack of firepower.

I was making an assumption, always dangerous... I just figured that if you went to all the trouble of making a structure like that, you'd anticipate the likely fallout of any major catastrophe being a bunch of unprepared folks trying to get in on your party. I just assumed that the place would be armed like a small fortress. Maybe not blatently, but, I just figured they would have a cadre of well trained "militia" that were properly outfitted to defend the place.

Actually, it seems strange if they don't? Is it just me?

Bruce is primarily a religious pacifist. He has no harmful intentions towards anyone. That's why I have concerns/fears for the Ark II and those with him when the balloon does go up.

I have no doubt that the balloon will go up. I know this by looking at the history of mankind. Man has used every weapon that he has ever created.

BTW, the Canadian versions of Local, State, and Federal Police/Regulatory/Fire/and other EMS agencies have raided the Ark many times. Perhaps they feel as you do about weapons and militia but they have never found anything and that's because there is nothing to find!!!!

Bruce Beach is a gentleman, scholar, and a law-abiding citizen whose concerns for humanity are actually genuine.

Wait, did he LEAVE the buses in place? I only glanced and thought he was using them as frame work to build the large shelter?!

The busses make the compartments and passageways. There are formed reinforced cement walls and overhead (w/supporting pilings) that support the 5-14 ft of soil that provides the shielding against the most powerful radiation that might hit that area.

For example: 1 bus holds the Galley, 1 or 2 busses are joined so as to form a messdeck, 1 bus holds a command & control area, 1, 2, or 3 busses contain the female berthing areas and the same is true of the male berthing areas, 1 or 2 busses form classrooms for the children, etc, etc. It has been arranged very nicely & efficiently from the internal finished photos that I've seen.

There's definitely something to be said for cooperative type shelters and theirs looks well designed. But for personal preference, I don't think I could be holed up with more than say 10 people, and they'd probably have to be people I know well. Managing 500 to a 1000 people in the most extreme of crises would be a survival situation in itself. It seems the more people you have to manage, the more rules and regulations become vitally important, and considering there's no inherent command structure like in a military setting, enforcing those rules could get complicated. Just my 2c.

That's why I have set up a command structure, military style, for my family/friends shelter plans. Everybody has a job to be done (watches to stand), duties to perform, and time has been programmed for nightly morale events.

Bruce, on defense:

"One man and his family
will not be able to stand against
these marauders and pirates.
Not even will a small collective be able to do so.
Roaming marauders will soon learn
the techniques of taking out any resistance
and the advantage always lies
with the attacker.
Castles and fortresses no matter how mighty
always eventually fall.

It will also be impossible
to keep a low profile -
as these hordes sweep across the land -
like locusts or army ants
devouring everything in their path.

Yes,
security becomes the first problem -
and yes,
I have given it much thought.

Ark Two is built as a bunker.
It is in a fenced compound
with watchtowers
at the end of a dead-end road
with a 150 ft cliff on one side.

Adjoining it is a small village -
in a rural area
with limited access -
and occupied by dozens of family members
and others associated with the facility.

However,
our strength is not that.
Our strength is in that
Ark Two is not defensive or offensive -
but rather that it is responsive
to the needs of the survivors.

We are a resource
for the survivors.

We have KI for 3,000 people.
Radiation detection kits
to hand out to the same number.

Post radiation detection labs
for every Province.
Recovery information, plans,
and expertise.

It will be a matter of convincing those
who attack us -
that we are a resource
that they don't want to destroy.

If we can't convince (co-opt)
or conquer them -
then we will have no choice but to surrender
unless they are marauders who take no prisoners -
in which case the only choice is
to fight to the death."

As much as I admire the work and planning that's gone into this project -- and it will probably serve them well if ever called upon -- I share LED's smaller-group philosophy. In saying that, realize I'm precluded from banging on the door, yelling "Let me in."

I had the opportunity to visit the project a few years ago and receive a very rare tour. At that time the Canadian Gvt. had not allowed them into the ark for a very long time.

At that time the facility was very damp/wet as the ventilation system was not active. The cots were covered in mold and if you had allergies to mould or asthma the place would likely be a death trap. I was very impressed with the structure and the layout.

I wish the Canadian Gvt. would leave them alone. They have been fighting the Gvt. in courts for decades.

They were raided on Y2K but the silly Gvt. found no guns or anything illegal and left

I'm a little over 6 feet tall and I was able to stand upright without problems.

Bruce is a great guy. ....work late ooops gotta run