This page contains annotated news stories and press releases with commentary about land reform and the democratic process in British Columbia. Our comments are shown in red.
It is great that the Provincial Approving officer is willing to open up and listen to opposition, however it is not o.k. that the province is passing the buck to the CRD once again. We need the province to take on the responsibility for a full public hearing on these lands and no less.
Mediated meeting offered on TFL plans
But protesters still opposed to Jordan River subdivisions
Jul 11, 2008Times Colonist
By Judith Lavoie
d around Jordan River, Otter Point and Shirley.
Also, the idea has not received support from the Capital Regional District — which has called for approving officer Bob Wylie to hold a public hearing.
Environmentalist Vicki Husband leads a protest calling for public hearings into Western Forest Products’ plans to build acreages on former tree-farm land yesterday at the downtown library branch.View Larger Image View Larger Image
Environmentalist Vicki Husband leads a protest calling for public hearings into Western Forest Products’ plans to build acreages on former tree-farm land yesterday at the downtown library branch.
“Our approving officer has had discussions with the CRD and offered to attend and listen at a moderated public meeting if the CRD wants to host one,” said Highways Ministry spokesman Jeff Knight. “He has also met with leaders of groups opposing the applications and tried to answer some of their questions.”
CRD chief administrative officer Kelly Daniels said the CRD held public hearings before deciding to rezone forest and resource land in the area stretching from Sooke Potholes to Port Renfrew to 120 hectare minimum lot size.
“We didn’t feel we needed to do any more ourselves,” he said. “The approving officer can hold public hearings on his own behalf.”
Meanwhile, more than 80 people, who turned out yesterday for a rally outside Transportation Ministry offices on Broughton Street, called for Wylie to turn down the application.
Many people came from Sooke and Shirley because they are alarmed that WFP has already started blasting and road building in the Sandcut Creek area, said Dogwood Initiative forests campaigner Maurita Prato.
“Western is taking a bit of a gamble here that they will get approval. Especially as there’s a downturn in the forest industry, it seems a very haphazard plan,” she said. “Even if it’s not approved all that clearing and blasting will have an impact on the environment.”
WFP chief operating officer Duncan Kerr said roads are being built only in areas where they can be used for logging if the subdivision application is turned down.
WFP made the subdivision application while the CRD zoning bylaws were awaiting provincial approval. That gave a 12-month window to try and get approval and build subdivision infrastructure.
A report by the provincial auditor general on the B.C. government’s decision to allow WFP to remove 28,283 hectares of land from three tree farm licences on Vancouver Island is expected to be released next week.
Also, the idea has not received support from the Capital Regional District — which has called for approving officer Bob Wylie to hold a public hearing.
Environmentalist Vicki Husband leads a protest calling for public hearings into Western Forest Products’ plans to build acreages on former tree-farm land yesterday at the downtown library branch.View Larger Image View Larger Image
Environmentalist Vicki Husband leads a protest calling for public hearings into Western Forest Products’ plans to build acreages on former tree-farm land yesterday at the downtown library branch.
“Our approving officer has had discussions with the CRD and offered to attend and listen at a moderated public meeting if the CRD wants to host one,” said Highways Ministry spokesman Jeff Knight. “He has also met with leaders of groups opposing the applications and tried to answer some of their questions.”
CRD chief administrative officer Kelly Daniels said the CRD held public hearings before deciding to rezone forest and resource land in the area stretching from Sooke Potholes to Port Renfrew to 120 hectare minimum lot size.
“We didn’t feel we needed to do any more ourselves,” he said. “The approving officer can hold public hearings on his own behalf.”
Meanwhile, more than 80 people, who turned out yesterday for a rally outside Transportation Ministry offices on Broughton Street, called for Wylie to turn down the application.
Many people came from Sooke and Shirley because they are alarmed that WFP has already started blasting and road building in the Sandcut Creek area, said Dogwood Initiative forests campaigner Maurita Prato.
“Western is taking a bit of a gamble here that they will get approval. Especially as there’s a downturn in the forest industry, it seems a very haphazard plan,” she said. “Even if it’s not approved all that clearing and blasting will have an impact on the environment.”
WFP chief operating officer Duncan Kerr said roads are being built only in areas where they can be used for logging if the subdivision application is turned down.
WFP made the subdivision application while the CRD zoning bylaws were awaiting provincial approval. That gave a 12-month window to try and get approval and build subdivision infrastructure.
A report by the provincial auditor general on the B.C. government’s decision to allow WFP to remove 28,283 hectares of land from three tree farm licences on Vancouver Island is expected to be released next week.
