Bute Plans Pulled. Toba Scaled Down.

Plutonic Power's proposal for a run-of-the-river project in the Bute Inlet is now on hold until further data on the area can be collected. This will also include consultations with the Campbell River based Homalco First Nations. The Bute project is three times the size of the Toba Valley project where testing will begin on March 20th. This smaller project of two run-of-the-river hydroelectric facilities is expected to come online this summer after the three to fours of testing is complete.

Further reading:

Plutonic pulls Bute Inlet project from Clean Call

Testing to Begin at Toba Power Project

Plutonic Plans Postponed

An Open Letter to Protect Wild Salmon Migration

The Courier-Islander has published an open letter to Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, to better protect migrating wild salmon in 2010 and beyond. The letter states that finfish aquaculture regulations, as they currently exist in BC, are inadequate to protect wild salmon, as they do not address the impacts that open net cage salmon farms have on the wild salmon stocks. They are urging for the following three interim emergency steps to be implemented immediately:

1. Emergency Migration Corridor to Protect Fraser River Salmon.

2. Wild Fish Monitoring Program for Discovery Islands.

3. Sea Lice Monitoring

The group that prepared this letter (Alexandra Morton, David Suzuki Foundation, Georgia Straight Alliance, Living Oceans Society, Outdoor Recreation Council of BC, Raincoast Conservation Foundation, Ritchie Foundation, Save Our Salmon Marine Conservation Foundation, T. Buck Suzuki Environmental Foundation, Watershed Watch Salmon Society, Wilderness Tourism Association) believe these minimal precautions must be taken in order to ensure the health and survival of wild salmon, and the people and economies that depend on them.

Find the full letter here.

Pitch-In Week 2010

To register for Pitch-In Week this April you must register here before March 15th.

CR: Cutting Costs and Working with Partners for External Funding

City staff have been directed to cut costs by $500,000 this year. With less tax revenue, Campbell River is focused on prudent economic management and diversification. This has led to more community partnerships such as that with Greenways Land Trust. These types of projects and partnerships optimize outside funding while incorporating community support and interaction.

Projects include the following, as compiled by the Courier:

- Hosting the 2010 B.C. Seniors Games, anticipated to boost the local economy through sports tourism

- Continuing with the construction of the Greenways Loop in partnership with the Greenways Land Trust, which employs local resource workers, with no impact on local taxation thanks to senior government funding

- Undertaking the Highway 19A upgrade project from Hilchey Road to just south of Rockland Road, with two-thirds funding from federal and provincial governments plus existing dedicated City reserve funds

- Undertaking the Campbell River Airport runway extension project with two-thirds funding from federal and provincial governments and grant funding worth almost one-third from the Island Coastal Economic Trust

- Improving communications internally and externally by engaging our community

- Building a new community vision by renewing the Official Community Plan

- Exploring environmental sustainability initiatives and alternative energy production (ie. tidal power study)

- Enhancing parks throughout the city, plus assisting local sport groups building a new lacrosse box and upgrading tennis courts

- Supporting downtown revitalization with improved street lighting, public amenities, marketing, arts and culture activities and Spirit Square event coordination

- Expanding the City's National Communities in Bloom participation

The City is trying to find a new balance amidst difficult financial times. The full financial plan is available here.

For more see the Courier article here.

Vote for Local Schools

Carihi Secondary, Penfield Elementary and Timberline Secondary have entered to win $500 towards green projects from the BC Green Games. This is a province wide competition to motivate eco-action and reward green efforts in the classroom. The goal is to create an innovative resource for community ideas and greener futures.

Check out the various projects at bcgreengames.ca

Vote for the local schools HERE.

Full Courier Article

Only 18% of Canadians are Doing Their Best for the Environment

A World Wildlife Fund survey has found Canadians are not putting enough effort into the environment. Only one fifth of Canadians gave themselves an A for effort, saying they are doing their very best for the environment, however 80% want to do more.

The survey was released to draw attention to the WWF's Earth Hour on March 27th at 8:30pm. Canadians are clearly motivated to do more. Learn how to do so here Earth Hour.

Toronto Sun for more

Rezoning Application at Rebecca Spit

There will be a public hearing Wednesday, March 17^th, at 7:00pm at the Quadra Community Centre pertaining to a rezoning application for Rebecca Spit. This hearing will be the community’s only opportunity to make its wishes known to the Strathcona Regional District. The application before the community is to rezone 211 acres of the waters just south of Rebecca Spit to aquaculture zone 2a, suitable for shellfish farming. Currently, there are no zones permitted for aquaculture or other industrial uses in that area. These zones were intended to protect the upland uses of the area, providing for recreational and tourism uses.

If you are unable to attend the meeting:

Letters can be mailed to: Regional Directors
Strathcona Regional District
# 301 - 990 Cedar St.
Campbell River,BC, V9W7Z8
Or letters can be faxed to : 250-830-6710
Or letters can be emailed to: planning@strathconard.ca