Members of a Capital Region District (CRD) sub committee voted today to move the controversial Marine Trail Holdings development to the next phase of the approval process.

“There was an opportunity for real leadership today, and it slipped through the fingers of Land Use Committee A,” said Cam Gray, Vancouver Island Outreach Coordinator with the Wilderness Committee. “Unfortunately, a small sub committee has ignored the clear message sent to them by the public and the will of the larger CRD board.”

In recent months, both the public and the majority of the full CRD board have been actively opposing this project. Hundreds of people participated in open houses and wrote in, detailing their concerns. The CRD board responded by asking Ida Chong, the BC Minister of Community Development, for an Order in Council to change the voting structure so the full board could vote. Their request was turned down, leading to the vote which happened today.

“This 260 vacation home development is located in a wilderness area adjacent to the popular Juan de Fuca Marine Trail provincial park,” said Tria Donaldson, Pacific Coast Campaigner with the Wilderness Committee. “A development of this magnitude contravenes the regional growth strategy and will have a impact on wildlife, recreation and tourism opportunities.”

“The strong public interest in this issue shows that there is huge concern about the future of the Juan de Fuca forestlands,” added Gray. “That’s why, in addition to a public meeting in Sooke, the CRD needs to hold a meeting in the Greater Victoria Region.”

The full details of the public meeting schedule and timeline have yet to be announced.

Contact:

Cameron Gray, Vancouver Island Outreach Coordinator, Wilderness Committee, 250-508-0341
Tria Donaldson, Pacific Coast Campaigner, Wilderness Committee, 250-686-9249