ALANDA CARVER: ‘Protecting Muir Creek satisfies wishes of community’

MUIR CREEK LAND NEEDS PROTECTION

The provincial government faces a dilemma with respect to the release of Western Forest Products’ lands from tree farm licences because it has brought to light the lack of protection afforded to the western side of Vancouver Island.  About 95 percent of the land on the wild coast of Vancouver Island is private land.

The area is in dire need of protection, as less than three per cent of the land between Sooke and Port Renfrew is parkland or available for public use.  

With the sale of Western Forest Product’s property along the Juan de Fuca Marine Trail, no area along the trail is now large enough or remote enough to provide suitable habitat for wildlife and biodiversity.

The provincial government needs to address this lack of protection and any solution must include satisfying the communities’ longstanding wish to have a park created at Muir Creek.

For the past 20 years the planning documents for the Capital Regional District lands on the west side of Vancouver Island have included a desire to protect the Muir Creek area.  The Muir Creek Protection Society has been petitioning all levels of government as well.

Protecting Muir Creek protects old growth forest; it protects one of only three west coast steelhead spawning streams,; it protects three salmon spawning runs and other salmon species; it protects the second biggest yew tree in the province; it protects biodiversity and animal habitat.  Protecting Muir Creek satisfies the wishes of the community.

The community uses Muir Creek.  It has been asking for the protection of Muir Creek.  In order to satisfy the community, protection of Muir Creek must be included in any solution.

Alanda Carver, President

Muir Creek Protection Society

 

CCC reprint: Victoria Times Colonist, May 31, 2009, page D3

[For a link to the Muir Creek Protection Society website,

please refer to the CCC BLOGROLL to the right]