Controversial Juan de Fuca Trail development goes to public meeting
VICTORIA - Members of a Capital Region District (CRD) sub committee
voted today to move the controversial Marine Trail Holdings development
to the next phase of the approval process.
Chong, the minister most responsible for allowing former timber lands to pass into developer's hands, and friend
“There was an opportunity for real leadership today, and it slipped
through the fingers of Land Use Committee A,” said Cam Gray, Vancouver
Island Outreach Coordinator with the Wilderness Committee.
“Unfortunately, a small sub committee has ignored the clear message sent
to them by the public and the will of the larger CRD board.”
In recent months, both the public and the majority of the full CRD
board have been actively opposing this project. Hundreds of people
participated in open houses and wrote in, detailing their concerns. The
CRD board responded by asking Ida Chong, the BC Minister of Community
Development, for an Order in Council to change the voting structure so
the full board could vote.
Their request was turned down, leading to the
vote which happened today.
“This 260 vacation home development is located in a wilderness area
adjacent to the popular Juan de Fuca Marine Trail provincial park,” said
Tria Donaldson, Pacific Coast Campaigner with the Wilderness Committee.
“A development of this magnitude contravenes the regional growth
strategy and will have a impact on wildlife, recreation and tourism
opportunities.”
“The strong public interest in this issue shows that there is huge
concern about the future of the Juan de Fuca forestlands,” added Gray.
“That’s why, in addition to a public meeting in Sooke, the CRD needs to
hold a meeting in the Greater Victoria Region.”
The full details of the public meeting schedule and timeline have yet to be announced.
Contact:
Cameron Gray, Vancouver Island Outreach Coordinator, Wilderness Committee, 250-508-0341
Tria Donaldson, Pacific Coast Campaigner, Wilderness Committee, 250-686-9249
The Wilderness Committee is Canada's largest membership-based,
citizen-funded wilderness preservation organization. We work for the
preservation of Canadian and international wilderness through research
and grassroots education. The Wilderness Committee works on the ground
to achieve ecologically sustainable communities.
