Protest to Protect
by Samantha Fischer
T he construction of the South Fraser Perimeter Road (SFPR) continues to loom on the horizon and threaten Burns Bog. On February 8, 2010 this threat became even more real when The Corporation of Delta passed two new bylaws.
Bylaws 6827 and 6828 will remove environmental protection from two parcels of land, necessary for the construction of the SFPR by reclassifying them from Environmentally Sensitive Area (ESA) to industrial areas. This move has sparked contention because the land in question is important to the preservation of Burns Bog and is habitat for a subspecies of red-backed vole, that is unique to Burns Bog, as well as the endangered Pacific Water Shrew.
Bogs are amazing places that filter our water, clean our air, store carbon and much more. Water plays a key role in the ecosystem that is Burns Bog. The construction of a highway will effect both the soil and the water that runs through it.
A bog will dramatically change if enough of it's water inputs and outputs do. The construction of the SFPR is likely to cause changes that will negatively effect the way Burns Bog functions.
A fully functioning Burns Bog acts as an effective pair of lungs for the city of Vancouver. A comprised Burns Bog is like an unhealthy pair of lungs and in this case the result for the people living in Vancouver will be the same. We won't be able to breath nearly as easily.
The protection of Vancouver's important ecosystems is no longer just the concern of scientists. People from Delta, Greater Vancouver, Canada and even internationally have stepped forward to express their concern about the future of Burns Bog.
If this is an issue that matters to you write to Delta Council, Metro Vancouver and anyone else you can think of might be able to stop the construction of the SFPR. It may feel like the voice of an individual is easily lost but within the last month the Supreme Court, in regards to Red Chris mine trial, stated that it was illegal for governments to disregard public concern about industrial development plans. So use your legal rights and influence the path that development takes.
For information on what to write and where to send your letters, visit our Write a Letter page.
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