Dear editor,
Re: Rick Kellow’s Jan. 6 letter (When considering Stotan Falls, politicians need look no further than Seal Bay Nature Park) and the ‘Long Term Comox Valley Residents’ ad on page 7 supporting the proposed annexation of the 3L lands by the City of Courtenay.
As a former long-term resident of Forbidden Plateau Road and past president of the Resident’s Association, I too have been following 3L’s proposal for these critically sensitive lands in the Puntledge and Brown Rivers area. Right from the purchase of this land by Mr. Dutcyvich, on the speculation that, as proposed by the provincial government, the city would annex the area east of the new highway at the time of splitting of the regional districts. When this fell through, he has successively tried a ‘carrot and a stick’ approach.
RELATED: 3L says negotiations for Stotan Falls development and parkland are over
While this latest proposal, supported with good intentions, by the ‘Long Term Residents’ will protect some of the recreational value, it will not protect the natural values such as the wildlife habitat and the integrity of both of the important fish-bearing rivers, as there is bound to be run-off from any development.
Furthermore, this type of development will not provide the type of housing that will help the shortage situation and being several kilometres out of town, it is in the wrong location, as recognized by regional directors Arbour and Hamir, who wisely voted against it.
While there is disagreement on this proposal, one area of concurrence is “the need to acquire this land and protect it in perpetuity.” However, the intent should be to protect all its values: recreational, natural and environmental, as a park for all to enjoy.
One avenue that should be pursued, is the possibility of the purchase of this land by the provincial government with additional funding from the federal and private sectors. This would return ownership of the Puntledge stream bed an important salmon producing river with a hatchery, to full government control.
A final thought from Roderick Haig-Brown, noted author and conservationist’s book ‘A River Never Sleeps.’ “It is time to move into an era of constructive conservation that nourishes the natural world and all its creatures instead of destroying them.”
Keith G. Seguin,
Courtenay
