To the Editor:
(Re: “Dike issue a conflict over Creston wildlife area’s policy”)
It is important to point out that Richard Dalon is making a very complex matter out of a simple common sense application of wetland management, with management supported by a mandate and act.
Dalon also emphasizes careful consideration was taken in restrictions to access and vegetation management techniques on dikes, which are nothing more than earthen landfills to separate ponds of water within the confines of the CVWMA, necessary to reclaim a natural wetland, the natural wetland being destroyed by the Columbia River development.
Who manages this 17,000-acre wetland? Locally, Richard Dalon and biologist Marc-André Beaucher, and far from here, biologist Tony Widesky (Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations in Cranbrook) and biologist Andrea Breault (Environment Canada in Delta).
Disturbing is that with no public consultation the following events have taken place:
•With no advance notice, an 80-year-old ferry operators’ dwelling (of heritage potential with built-in maintenance) and other capital investments with taxes paid were trashed and hauled to the landfill. The residents were evicted as “trespassers”.
•A large barn structure commonly known as the bat barn was trashed and hauled to the landfill. The bats were left homeless and a bat house was later constructed to accommodate any bats left.
•Mature vegetation (trees with 40 years of maturity) was trashed on approximately four kilometers of earthen-type structures for a convenience (publicly stated) to inspect the structures for leaks, removing years of established wildlife habitat and protection from predation, and removing the opportunity of nature enthusiasts locally and from abroad the convenience to experience discoveries.
•The Duck Lake Diking District appears to have been intimidated into supporting the CVWMA in blocking vehicular traffic from the west end of the Duck Lake cross dike south to the old ferry landing.
•Vehicular access was blocked on the CVWMA south cross dike at Channel Road.
•It appears to have supported the compromising actions of Farmin Road, a public road, by gating and removing a culvert, resulting in a large water-filled ditch where even foot traffic cannot reach the CVWMA Duck Lake south pond.
•It refuses to allow vehicular access for hunters to remove game from the CVWMA.
•It refuses to allow feeding of elk on CVWMA property to help relieve the risk of vehicular traffic conflict on west Highway 3.
•The Channel Road access to Duck Lake is accessible by four-wheel drive vehicles only.
•It has created an unsafe situation for extraction of any person suffering from injury or illness by blocking accesses to ambulatory care.
Richard Dalon remarks that Gordon and Barbara Ogilvie initiated a petition. This is true. It takes courage, time and financial cost as well as a reason to undertake such a venture.
When the CVWMA was established, the management authority was given the power to appoint one representative from the public at large to the authority. One of the first was a man by the name of Steve Kenyon from Trail. The most recent one was Steve Bullock from Creston. Steve retired from the position five years ago. The present management has chosen not to appoint a public representative. This seemingly has reflections of a covert operation, resulting in no public consultation and major conflict with the public — and a petition with over 800 signatures.
Things have changed. I personally feel two public representatives should be appointed, one from each gender, male and female. The choosing of these representatives should be by local organizations with direct wildlife interests and no biologists. My reasoning is that females, as well as males, play a large part in the access of this grandiose wetland facility.
Wynndel