Editor:
There are a number of small creeks in the Hazelmere Valley; all are tributaries of the Little Campbell.
One is Fergus Creek, which drains approximately the area south of 24 Avenue east of Highway 99. This creek runs most of the year and is considered a salmon-spawning creek. To ensure it doesn’t dry up in the summer, the City of Surrey purchased a 50-acre passive park to help retain water for dry months. There are also wells on this property that run into the creek.
Many know the Little Campbell as a very successful salmon river, thanks to the efforts of volunteers who operate the salmon hatchery.
Now, it seems, the powers at city hall believe a 70-acre truck depot could be compatible next to the river.
In all my years on Surrey council did I see a plan with so little sense. (Editor’s note: The letter writer served 13 years as councillor/alderman between 1963 and 1980.)
Why spend big bucks to save a small stream, and at the same time suggest that a truck park would be OK next to the main stream?
Surrey city council has other proposed sites. Choose another one.
Dalton Jones, Surrey
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I write as a member of Rotary and wish to express my concern about the development proposal that the City of Surrey is considering, to rezone a property on the banks of the Little Campbell River to “light industry.”
The developer intends to construct a truck parking and maintenance facility on the site, on the south side of 16 Avenue between 184 and 192 streets.
This property is only 2,400 meters upstream from the Little Campbell Hatchery. The river runs through the northern section of this property.
It is inevitable that petroleum and other contaminants would enter the river from this site. This would certainly lead to the loss of the salmon and trout in this river that has taken 59 years to restore, as well as compromise an important community natural area enjoyed by adults and children alike.
The truck park would also impact the lives of residents living close to the site, as a result of the noise and exhaust fumes. It is clear, as well, that the proposed section of 16 Avenue has inherent dangers to all traffic, as there is a hill that must be negotiated at the proposed entrance to the site.
The city needs to strongly consider policy developments concerning initiatives with high potential to destroy much of the last remaining natural habitats in the western Fraser Valley. This relatively tiny area is important to all Canadians.
Once destroyed, this land and all that it contributes to a high quality of life will not come back. We need only take a look at those countries suffering from unrestricted development to see our future if the current proposal proceeds.
I strongly urge Surrey council not to approve the proposal.
Chip Bowness, White Rock
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Re: Last round for Riverside golf centre, Jan. 27.
So the City of Surrey has no qualms about taking away a man’s lifelong business because of an apparent lack of parkland.
There is such a shortage that the same politicians appear to want to give away a huge swath of nature by supporting its destruction for the sake of Surrey truckers.
Weird? Apparently not when living in Alice in Surreyland.
Peter Davies, Surrey
