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Western Canada Wilderness Committee, Mid-Island Chapter
Box 442, Qualicum Beach, BC, V9K 1S9, ph. 250 752-6585
Press Release
Friday, July 20, 200l
Huge Public Interest Re-opens Cathedral Grove Public
Input Process
A July 19th meeting at the Qualicum Beach Civic
Centre held a standing room only crowd of over 200 concerned citizens
representing a broad spectrum of individuals and groups from the region and
Island who came to hear BC Parks present their development proposals for a 200
car and 20 bus parking lot, gift shop, food outlet, interpretive centre,
washroom facilities and picnic area to be built in Cathedral Grove’s MacMillan
Park.
“The last time the
plans were presented, was at a public meeting in 1996” says Annette Tanner,
Western Canada Wilderness Committee, Mid-Island chairperson. “The alarming
blowdown event in 1997 when we almost ‘lost’ the park, has left people concerned
about the health and integrity of this internationally famous park.”
MLA Gillian Trumper,
former MLA Gerard Janssen, Gary Swann, Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District
Chairperson, Donna Brett, acting Mayor of Port Alberni, Jack McLean, Regional
District of Nanaimo Director and Mayor Teunis Westbroek, Qualicum Beach were
regional and provincial representatives in attendance. “MLA Gillian
Trumper assured the audience that she would take all concerns regarding the
development proposals to the Minister of Water, Land and Air Protection for
discussion on our behalf,” adds Tanner.
“We are extremely
pleased that BC Parks will be accepting comments and input from the public that
would help us come up with safer, better and more environmentally-friendly
alternatives,” continues Tanner. “We look forward to working with BC Parks
to solve the safety dilemma immediately and we plan to assist in
implementing ecosystem-based planning for the long term. A Safety
Committee including representatives from ICBC and Ministry of Highways has been
struck to address the immediate traffic calming and safety concerns of the
parking area.”
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