Gambier Island Needs Community Support to Save Recreational Gem
VANCOUVER, July 24, 2014 /CNW/ - The Gambier Island Conservancy and homeowners in the Howe Sound area wish to raise awareness and garner local support at tonight's 7pm public meeting at St. Francis in the Wood Anglican Church in West Vancouver. Concerned members of the Howe Sound community are seeking to be heard by the Ministry of Forests, Lands, and Natural Resource Operations, which has proposed two woodlots to be established on Gambier Island, and area in Howe Sound. The woodlots plan would turn 1,326 hectares of Crown land currently enjoyed as a vital recreational area into log dumping ground.
The proposed logging licenses affect precious wilderness area within half an hour of downtown Vancouver valued for its outstanding beauty. Gambier Island is regularly used by hikers, kayakers, cottagers, boaters, tourists, summer camps and businesses.
Gambier Island Conservancy's Director and Trail Coordinator Peter Snell says, "The Ministry of Forests has yet to provide meaningful public consultation and is not listening to the thousands of people who live in and use this area. The Ministry has presumed that logging is the highest and best use, and in doing so, has yet to adequately address the social, ecological, economic and cumulative impacts that this logging will have on Gambier Island and the Sea to Sky corridor." Not only is the Gambier Island Conservancy joined by local homeowners, but the Wilderness Society, The Future of Howe Sound Society, The Outdoor Recreational Council, Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, and Gambier Island Community Association are also in protest against the woodland proposal.
Further, Premier Clark's June 10th 2014 letter refers to the just-published Taxpayer Accountability Principles, and states this telling quote: "In some cases, the public has come to believe that some government entities are acting on their own behalf and represent the interest of their executive and management team, which demonstrates a lack of respect for the shareholder: the citizens and taxpayers of BC."
Please take this important opportunity to protect a local treasure by coming to the Public Information Meeting tonight at 4773 South Piccadilly Road in West Vancouver. There is also a Public Drop-In tomorrow (Friday July 25) from 9 am-noon at Sewell's Marina Boardroom at 6409 Bay Street in Horseshoe Bay, BC.
SOURCE: The Gambier Island Conservancy
Peter Snell, Director and Trail Coordinator, Gambier Island Conservancy, Phone: 604-218-8484
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