Editor:
Re: “Dock plan studies to be completed in January,” Nov. 10.
The Pender Harbour Dock Management Plan (DMP) Working Group remains in contact with the province and is providing comments on the Draft DMP whenever we are given the opportunity. This includes our thoughts on the scope of the studies underway and their ability to provide the information we believe should be available to the decision-makers before they determine the fate of the Draft DMP.
As Mr. Penner noted in his report released on Nov. 8, 2015: The lack of publicly available empirical evidence to support greater restrictions on dock locations and construction methods has undermined support for the DMP and its stated objectives of protecting marine resource values.
We are glad to see the work being done as we are very concerned about the environmental health of the harbour and want to ensure our history is protected and preserved for us and future generations. The documented history of our harbour is largely limited to recent times, and we hope the archaeological study will further our knowledge of those who came long before us.
Our harbour is also suffering environmental degradation because the powers that be are not enforcing existing regulations around sewage discharge, on either surrounding land or the water.
Our comments on the Draft DMP include that additional rules and regulations, such as the proposed blanket bans on docks in certain areas, will do nothing to assist the furtherance of local objectives and instead will place unfair and unnecessary burdens on a minority of residents.
We also believe Pender Harbour is no different from many other coastal communities and does not need special protection other than that already offered by existing provincial, federal and municipal rules and regulations.
We note that Mr. Penner made the following comment: The general public, at least in the area of Pender Harbour, is not fully aware of the degree to which the B.C. government has embarked on efforts to reconcile with First Nations; or why; or what this may mean to the non-aboriginal community.
Our DMP Working Group remains eager to work with our provincial and local government representatives and provide comments and suggestions as they relate to the identified issues in the Penner Report. We believe our engagement will be ongoing and continue to strive for all of Mr. Penner’s recommendations to be acted upon. We sincerely hope it will result in a resolution satisfactory for all interested and affected parties.
Leonard Lee, Chair, DMP Working Group
