Target in Sight: One More Round with Ida on Juan de Fuca Resort
by Forest Action
Hi all; weekend update: Community Development minister Ida Chong is meeting with representatives of the Capital Regional District on Tuesday to clarify whether they can vote on the Juan de Fuca Resort resort proposal.
Let's give her an earful in the next three days! We've gone a few rounds with Ida Chong already, so everyone knows the drill. Join in and score even more points this time around. The minister may be feeling more sensitive to public opinion since her recall scare, but if not, let's give her some sensitivity training.
Please send a note to Ida now (and copy it to premier Christy Clark):
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,
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You may want to include these points about the Marine Trail Resort rezoning, and why the whole board should be allowed to vote:
- The size of this proposed rezoning is massive, over 260 vacation homes spanning some 17 kilometres along the Juan de Fuca trail
- The project violates the Regional Growth Strategy, which doesn't anticipate or allow this kind of size and density.
- It will irrevocably compromise the values of the Class A Provincial Park and the wilderness values it was created to protect.
- The resort would establish a precedent for further spot development and sprawl in the area
- The Minister needs to address the removal of private lands of Western Forest Products from Tree Farm License 25 in 2007 that took place without consultation or compensation to the people of British Columbia.
Both CRD Chair Geoff Young and Metchosin mayor John Ranns acknowledged on Wednesday that 1000 (!) messages from concerned citizens opened their eyes to the importance of the issue. Great work, everyone! Let's see if we can bring Ida back from the dark side.
Speaking of the dark side, Juan de Fuca director Mike Hicks is furious that the CRD won't just step aside and do what the resort developer wants. He really dislikes hearing from the public, so please send him a note to evaluate his job performance. Consider including some friendly advice about dealing with the public, or suggestions about winning friends and influencing people.
Mike Hicks: jdfdirector@crd.bc.ca
Thank you!
Zoe
