Folks,
I became aware of a proposal to the BC government to privatize a significant fraction of Squirrel Cove in Desolation Sound. For those of you West Coasters who would care to comment on this plan, the website is:
http://www.arfd.gov.bc.ca/ApplicationPosting/viewpost.jsp?PostID=22086
My public comment filing sums up my feelings on the issue:
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First, I must confess that I am not a resident of BC. However, I have availed myself of the resources of your beautiful coast many times and hope to continue to enjoy your residents' hospitality many more times in the future.
In reviewing the proposal to permit a commercial marina facility in Squirrel Cove on Cortez Island, I would suggest that the plans call for far too large a fraction of the available water area to be consumed, significantly restricting the area available for anchorage. At first blush, "free" anchorage may not seem to be of economic benefit in the BC area. I would submit, however, that there is a very large population of cruising boaters that ply the waterways of BC's inside passage that avail themselves of many of the commercial services all the way up and down the corrider. Many of these consumers are of a very independent mold, perfectly suited to the environment that has been fostered and maintained in the BC coastal community that attracts them, and thus are of a mind to anchor when possible. They still, however, contribute significantly to the local economy through provisionsing, occasional commercial moorage, boat repair and supplies, restaurants, lodges, fuel, etc.
Since Squirrel Cove is regarded by many as a "choke point" in transits northward, overly restricting its use will be detrimental to the larger economic picture. By "choke point", I mean that Squirrel Cove is a critical overnight stop in preparation for transit of the reversing tidal streams immediately to the North, which must be timed accurately for safe passage. Overly restricing availability of a safe "jumping off point" anchorage will, I would submit, adversely affect cruisers ability to safely use this part of the Inside Passage highway and adversely affect the economic climate for the many businesses North of Desolation Sound. For many, Squirrel Cove is not a destination, it is a critical stopover. For others, it is a destination of great beauty, peace, and tranquility.
I am not intrinsically opposed to growth of local businesses. However, at a time when protection of the environmental jewel that is the BC Inside Passage is critical, given the mounting population pressures, and considering the overall possible negative economic impact on the businesses further to the North, I would urge you to consider restricting the proposed development to at least preserve half (or more) of the cove's resources to the present natural and non-commercial use model.
Thank you for soliciting public input on this question.
I became aware of a proposal to the BC government to privatize a significant fraction of Squirrel Cove in Desolation Sound. For those of you West Coasters who would care to comment on this plan, the website is:
http://www.arfd.gov.bc.ca/ApplicationPosting/viewpost.jsp?PostID=22086
My public comment filing sums up my feelings on the issue:
============================================
First, I must confess that I am not a resident of BC. However, I have availed myself of the resources of your beautiful coast many times and hope to continue to enjoy your residents' hospitality many more times in the future.
In reviewing the proposal to permit a commercial marina facility in Squirrel Cove on Cortez Island, I would suggest that the plans call for far too large a fraction of the available water area to be consumed, significantly restricting the area available for anchorage. At first blush, "free" anchorage may not seem to be of economic benefit in the BC area. I would submit, however, that there is a very large population of cruising boaters that ply the waterways of BC's inside passage that avail themselves of many of the commercial services all the way up and down the corrider. Many of these consumers are of a very independent mold, perfectly suited to the environment that has been fostered and maintained in the BC coastal community that attracts them, and thus are of a mind to anchor when possible. They still, however, contribute significantly to the local economy through provisionsing, occasional commercial moorage, boat repair and supplies, restaurants, lodges, fuel, etc.
Since Squirrel Cove is regarded by many as a "choke point" in transits northward, overly restricting its use will be detrimental to the larger economic picture. By "choke point", I mean that Squirrel Cove is a critical overnight stop in preparation for transit of the reversing tidal streams immediately to the North, which must be timed accurately for safe passage. Overly restricing availability of a safe "jumping off point" anchorage will, I would submit, adversely affect cruisers ability to safely use this part of the Inside Passage highway and adversely affect the economic climate for the many businesses North of Desolation Sound. For many, Squirrel Cove is not a destination, it is a critical stopover. For others, it is a destination of great beauty, peace, and tranquility.
I am not intrinsically opposed to growth of local businesses. However, at a time when protection of the environmental jewel that is the BC Inside Passage is critical, given the mounting population pressures, and considering the overall possible negative economic impact on the businesses further to the North, I would urge you to consider restricting the proposed development to at least preserve half (or more) of the cove's resources to the present natural and non-commercial use model.
Thank you for soliciting public input on this question.
