Why Care About Saving Walker Hook?
Walker Hook on Salt Spring Island is located within the "Trust
Area" which encompasses the islands and waters between the
Mainland and Southern Vancouver Island, a scenic archipelago
of 13 major islands and more than 450 smaller islands. In
1969, recognizing that the
areas highly valued environment could be irreversibly damaged
by unrestrained development, the provincial government began
a process that culminated in the establishment of the Islands
Trust Act in 1974 and redrafted the Act in 1987, reaffirming
the Province's commitment to careful planning and development
in the Trust Area.
The Islands Trust
Policy Statement has been developed in response to the need
for preservation and protection of the Trust Area and its
unique amenities and environment, to the need for leadership
in achieving this objective, and to the legislated requirements
of the Islands Trust Act. Goals and policies contained in
the Policy Statement reflect values and concerns for the future
of the Trust area expressed by the public and Trust Council's
belief that not only this generation, but also future generations,
should have the continued opportunity to enjoy the environment
and amenities of this very special place.
The situation at Walker Hook is important to all British
Columbians. It clearly illustrates that our current government
is not listening, by allowing:
- Construction
of industrial waste disposal sites in sensitive ecosystems
- Disrespect and
destruction of First Nations' sacred sites and burial places
- Destruction of
the irreplaceable archaeological record - our only material
record of the past
- Disregard for
the intent of Official Community Plans and vehement community
opposition
- Expansion of the
fish farming industry at the expense of our dwindling wild
fish stocks
These
are issues that concern us all!
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