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Friends of Island View Beach
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Why the Friends of Island View Beach
​ oppose the CRD draft 2016 plan
​

The CRD plan does not respect the wishes of the people

The public have been telling the CRD since the first meeting of March 16, 2011 to leave the park alone.  More than 4,500 people have now signed a petition saying this again.     Paper petitions are available at Michells Market & Firbank Farms on Island View Road.  The online petition can be signed here



​The CRD has not produced the factual environmental and other information so that the public may make an informed, thoughtful and rational presentation on this draft plan


The environmental presentation produced by the CRD in 2015 contained elements of fabrication, exaggeration, misleading statements and half truths.  And the CRD 2016 draft plan itself is put forward with no valid scientific evidence to support it.


​

The plan proposes draconian restrictions on peoples activities in the park, without evidence of the need
And it proposes to severely restrict dogs, and ban horses and cyclists


Under the current park bylaw, the public can go anywhere in the park, on trail or off trail.  Dogs can be off leash, off trail, anywhere west of the north-south ditch.   No evidence has been shown that these permitted uses have done any damage, or that there is any species at risk in the park that needs more protection that it already has.  The CRD proposes that the public will have to stay
on just the few graveled paths;  that dogs must be on leash everywhere, except in a dog compound; and that horses and cyclists be banned, but give no justification for the need for this.



The CRD propose to employ Tsawout as park wardens

One of the beauties of the park is the sense of wilderness without signs and symbols of authority.  The public does not want wardens in the park.



The park is predicted to be under sea water within  35 years, possibly much sooner,  and the CRD have done nothing about it


http://www.friendsofislandviewbeach.com/sea-level-rise-2050.html

The berm was almost breached last winter
 http://www.friendsofislandviewbeach.com/flooding-potential-winter-2015-16.html


A draft report released by the CRD in June 2016 now quotes sources suggesting rising sea level may be much worse and sooner than previously thought, and refers to studies `predicting rising sea levels of 1m-3m by 2050    See here

This is an extract from the latest CRD draft report:
​

"Only three years ago, generally accepted estimates indicated a maximum sea level rise by 2100 of about 33 centimetres. By 2015, estimates had been revised to indicate a rise of about 100 centimetres. Recent examination of the West Antarctic ice sheet revealed deterioration at a much more rapid pace than expected. This new information caused researchers to suggest sea level rise of 200 centimetres could be expected by the end of the century. A subsequent review of data by another research group led them to conclude that a near 300 centimetre rise could be expected, quite possibly by 2050 – 2060 ...."

The CRD draft says  "These estimates have yet to be fully reviewed and accepted by the broader scientific community. Nevertheless, if correct, they suggest a catastrophic outcome if serious mitigation does not occur very quickly. "
​
Despite this, CRD Parks propose drastic, costly, and restrictive changes to the park when the very existence of the park is in doubt. This is irresponsible.




The CRD plan a massive sand restoration project without showing the need or the cost

The CRD want to "restore" the sand from the RV campground up to the Tsawout boundary, and between the berm trail and the inland trail.  They have not given evidence to show the need for this -  they have not produced costs - and they have not explained what happens to all this cost when the rising sea level floods the park.


​

The draft  is incomplete 

This plan has been 6 years in the preparation yet it is still incomplete - these are extracts from the CRD documents:

      The draft plan proposes to assess implications of climate change/sea level rise on visitor facilities at the park and determine long-term actions.

      The draft plan proposes to review operational practices for waste management, consider recycling bins in the day-use area, develop and implement a sign plan for the park, and develop an integrated bylaw compliance strategy with other levels of government.

      The draft plan proposes to develop an education and communications strategy, and seek interest and involvement of the Tsawout First Nation community in education and interpretive activities.

      The draft Park Development Concept summarizes the general direction for how the park will be managed and developed.

            • Study and collaborate on a dog management strategy 


There is no unconditional commitment to maintain the mosquito drainage ditches, the mosquito control program and the berm


The existing bylaw has a directive that CRD staff must maintain the mosquito drainage ditches, the control program and the berm.   The wording proposed by CRD Parks for a new plan includes weasel clauses that they will "study" the effect of these on the environment - they have only been here for 80 years! - which leaves the door open to a claim in the future that these drainage ditches do terrible things and should be filled in, which is what staff have been trying to achieve for many years.   Any new plan must be drafted with certainty that the mosquito drainage ditches, the mosquito control program, and the berm are to be maintained without condition.




The draft is worded so loosely that it could mean anything. ​

​ Certainty and precision in the language is needed.


Our Guiding Principles for a new plan
Our recommendations for the park improvement