Disappointing to see Rat Lake trail blocked off over lease renewal
The trail around Rat Lake has been used by many residents for years. In the past the CVRD had leased the land around the Lake from Timberwest. A few weeks ago the CVRD removed the bridge over the source of Handysen Creek, several bridges over ephemeral streams along the trail, as well as picnic tables and benches. In addition, some entity placed tree trunks and debris across the access points to the trail, increasing the probability of broken bones for those still wanting to use the trail. All of this was done because the CVRD and Mosaic Forest Management could not come to an agreement over the length of a lease renewal.
I would encourage those who used the trail and would like the trail to continue to be accessible to contact the following parties: Brain Farquhar, manager of Parks and Trails in the CVRD, Blaise Salmon, Area A director and the senior leadership at Mosaic Forest Management. Contact information can be obtained through a web search.
Ideally, the land around Rat Lake and Handysen Creek should become a CVRD park. Trees cannot be harvested in the riparian management areas (20-40 metres) of lakes and streams and, hence, these lands are of no economic value to timber companies. Perhaps Mosaic Forest Management would make a charitable donation of these lands. We should encourage discussions between the CVRD and Mosaic Forest Management to this effect.
Bernhard H.J. Juurlink
Mill Bay
