SEAS calls for government action to purchase West Beach property near the Adams River and other news…

Re: West Beach : SEAS has decided to encourage everyone to contact George Abbott and encourage him to use his cabinet influence to expedite the current negotiations so that this property can be purchased this year before more damage is done. Currently, there is a pile of concrete forms, tiles and lumber there and two excavators are parked near the house. See sample letter to George Abbott below. Here is his contact info:
George Abbott, george.abbott.mla@leg.bc.ca , (250) 833-7414 or toll free, 1- 877-771-7557

Dear Honourable Minister George Abbott

Most Shuswap citizens continue to maintain a keen interest in the future of the West Beach property. It is crucial that the property be placed into public hands in order to protect the viability of the sockeye salmon run and the ecologically sensitive Roderick Haig-Brown Park.

While we were disappointed to learn that the provincial Government ‘remains interested in purchasing the land but not at this time for the appraised value,: we were encouraged to learn that the government is interested in working with partners. While these economic times are difficult, the purchase represents an invaluable investment in the salmon fishing industry, the Interior tourism industry and the environmental sustainability goals of the government – a legacy at least as important as the 2010 Olympics, the Vancouver Convention Centre and BC Place stadium that are costing many hundreds of millions of dollars.

Most recently, Minister Barry Penner has revealed that talks have begun with the developer. Please represent the wishes of your constituents and help ensure the purchase of the West Beach property remains a priority that will hopefully happen before the election this spring.

Sincerely,

In other news, BC Nature magazine reports that the provincial budget released last month is bad news for the environment. Funding for the Environmental Stewardship department of MOE, which supports Crown lands, wildlife and habitat was reduced by 15 percent. The parks and wildlife management areas budget was reduced by 14 percent. And other MOR department budgets were also reduced. Meanwhile, there is no news yet about any funding for SLIPP implementation.

Here is what the local media has to say about these issues:

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Editorial, Salmon Arm Observer
March 24, 2009

Like rivers at freshet, the Liberal government’s press service has been rolling out releases, sometimes as many as 30 a day, many of them funding announcements.
Over the past several weeks, the funding tap has poured out sometimes huge sums.
The City of Salmon Arm was one of many B.C. communities to benefit from last week’s funding spree, receiving more than $500,000 to support infrastructure expansion, deliver community services, improve community safety, revitalize green spaces and invest in local jobs.

On the same day, the Salmon Arm Elks were advised they would be getting $97,000 in gaming grant revenue to build a new community hall.

Earlier in the week, $1.4 million in joint provincial-federal funding to improve Sorrento’s water system was announced. In recent weeks both the Shuswap and District Arts Council and Haney Heritage Village and Museum were the recipients of welcome funding.

While all of this is good news, there seems to be a disconcerting silence emanating from certain ministries.

Despite vigorous local support for the Shuswap Lake Integrated Planning Process (SLIPP), spearheaded by the Ministry of Environment with approval from the highest levels, the environment minister’s office has chosen to ignore repeated requests from the Observer for a statement regarding its funding fate.

This despite the fact, a SLIPP report sets out sound recommendations to prevent further deterioration to the lake that provides our water and a livelihood for many.

Chief among them is the need for increased monitoring to pinpoint contamination sources.
This is particularly important given last year’s huge algae bloom that stretched from Salmon Arm Bay to Sicamous.

And water samples taken at the mouth of the Salmon River have shown water quality deterioration, not improvement, as originally stated in this year’s Fraser Basin Council Report.

Also frustrating is the silence surrounding the fate of the West Beach property near the mouth of the Adams River and its world renowned salmon run.

Despite earlier assurances the environment minister would investigate the possibility of purchasing the property from the developer, whose plans created public furor, no word has been heard here.

Reviewing the province’s news releases, it becomes evident that environmental issues are not a Liberal priority in the upcoming election.

But the state of Shuswap Lake is a top priority among many voters in the in the area, voters who deserve to hear some answers : even if they are not likely to like them.

If there is no provincial funding forthcoming, let the voters hear the reasons why this government has chosen to act on something as crucial as the fate of Shuswap Lake. This is hardly the time for ostrich-like behaviour.