Sumas Mt under attack!

[couch]

Hey guys/gals,

There is a serious threat to the amazing riding area on Sumas Mt.in Abbotsford. Here is the link to the letter that we ask you to digitally sign and send in - https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&p...rAVdy-3Q&pli=1.

Please take a look at the quick summary found here on the FVMBA site.

This gravel pit will affect access to the Sumas Mt. Regional Park as well as destroy “Time Killer” in its entirety. Access to “Devils Throat”, “World Cup” and “Noah Fear” will likely be blocked as well.

Please take the time to look, leave a comment and even better sign and send in the letter. The letters should be sent to;

Kevin Walker, RPF PAg
Resource Authorizations
South Coast Regional Office
Ministry of Forests, Lands & Natural Resource Operations
Email: kevin.walker@gov.bc.ca

Please cc all emails to Walter Neufeld @ highview@telusplant.net so I can track them. Thanks

Thanks, Rich
FVMBA

Who want this in their community?

[onepunch]

the link for the letter is not working for me....

[couch]

Here is the link to the letter

http://www.abbotsfordtoday.ca/wp-con...ine-062411.pdf

[Oatbag]

I thought it was mountain bike trails that were bad for the environment - bad jokes aside, I read the letter but could not figure out what you meant by digitally sign the .pdf. Do you want people from outside Abbotsford as well?

[Jonathan]

This will affect anyone who uses or could use Sumas Mountain as a recreational resource. This is a large relatively undeveloped area close to urban centres. As much as possible needs to be set aside for uses other than industrial. This includes logging and gravel extraction, especially the areas close to the access road to the top.

The attacks on sumas mountain started after the road was built to the top. After the road was built, the top was designated as a provincial park. In the 1980's after loggers cut into the park boundaries, the park designation was dropped. In the past four or five years, the area around Chadsey lake, essentially the old provincial park boundaries and the steep areas on the south side that were uneconomical to log were designated as a regional park. Parts of sumas mountain have been incorporated into the City of Abbotsford, however the area affected remains as unorganized territory and has caught the eye of the ministry of mines and other gravel extraction companies.

The proposed boundaries stretch from the centennial trail to the access road. Under the mines act this area will be closed to public access for the life of the quarry, approximatly 100 years as projected. The gravel extracted has to come off the mountain on roads that have 15 - 17% grades with no shoulders and insufficient width to accomodate tandem dump trucks.

THese trucks will be travelling at through the main residential areas and given the costs of hauling, anyone walking or driving on these roads when the trucks are hauling will be at risk.

So if you think that Sumas mountain is better served as a recreational resource than a gravel mine or forest reserve, by all means let the provincial government know.

[jetta_mike]

Hey rich how exactly do we digitally sign this?

Don't forget that you can also send comments to the ministry here.

Integrated Land Management Bureau

It only take a minute and it gets more support on our side.

[couch]

The letter link is now correct - sorry about that.

Rich

[Sharon]

Where to I send the PDF too once I sign it? I also commented on the Direct Link.

[couch]

Originally Posted by Sharon

Where to I send the PDF too once I sign it? I also commented on the Direct Link.

Sorry Sharon. The email should be sent to



Kevin Walker, RPF PAg
Resource Authorizations
South Coast Regional Office
Ministry of Forests, Lands & Natural Resource Operations
Email: kevin.walker@gov.bc.ca

Please cc all emails to Walter Neufeld @ highview@telusplant.net so I can track them. Thanks

[Mike.T]

If they could put that in downtown Abby, it would be an improvement. Keep it away from the trails though.

[hypa]

Amazing that with all the hills and gravel in this province that a company from the OK needs to use Sumas.
Thanks for the updated link. I'll send that in today in support of keeping sumas as recreation.

[stillgoing]

Originally Posted by couch

Sorry Sharon. The email should be sent to

Murray McPhail, Senior Land Officer
Resource Authorizations
South Coast Regional Office
Ministry of Forests, Lands & Natural Resource Operations
Email: Murray.Mcphail@gov.bc.ca

and,

Kevin Walker, RPF PAg
Resource Authorizations
South Coast Regional Office
Ministry of Forests, Lands & Natural Resource Operations
Email: kevin.walker@gov.bc.ca

Please cc all emails to Walter Neufeld @ highview@telusplant.net so I can track them. Thanks

Do NOT send to Murray - he's the wrong guy:

Originally Posted by Murray

I work in the Kootenay Boundary Region and not in the Coast Region. I am not involved with this Land Act application. Any concerns you may have concerning this application should be addressed to Kevin Walker, Land Officer in the Coast Region.


Murray McPhail

[Sharon]

whoops too late, hopefully he'll forward to the appropriate person...

[cerealkilla']

I'm signing and sending. A good strategy at this point would be to find allies in the surrounding areas. Specifically, look for local groups that may be concerned with traffic, water or soil impacts, sightlines, and obviously recreation. Even better if some business owners (shop owners)sign the letter.

[partswhore]

Deadline rapidly approaching!

This will take less than 2 minutes of your time.

Please send in your comments!