Editor, The News:
Re: Along the Fraser: The lines of communication.
Jack Emberly’s article shows us specifically how federal downloading of responsibility happens at our local level.
The federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans has downloaded almost all the work of stream monitoring and management to local municipalities like Pitt Meadows, Maple Ridge, and Langley – while providing no funding.
Mr. Emberly’s article details three stories, two of which show how the current model needs to be changed. Otherwise, contamination of streams and rivers will accelerate, threatening adults, kids, and wildlife. This is especially true for salmon who are already under serious threat.
We’re at the preserve-it-or-lose-it stage with our streams; with limited resources, let’s hope municipalities and volunteers can adapt fast enough.
Consultation is needed.
Our new Pitt Meadows council ran on listening. I hope they are.
According to Mr. Emberly, the Alouette River Management Society is trying to get a meeting with municipal staff; if successful, I hope the public is informed of the meeting and its outcomes.
We need an open door of communications on all streams in our area, and not a piecemeal approach to one or two streams. It’s going to take work.
Many volunteers are willing to do their part, but we need effective and open communications at the municipal level if we’re going to offset the effects of federal downloading.
Andy Albright
Pitt Meadows
