Correspondence from P. & B. Emile Re: 2401 Burnside Road W. - handyDART Site
Letter detailing environmental concerns regarding the Western Painted Turtle and potential traffic disasters at the Watkiss and Burnside intersection.
February 22, 2010
Attention: Minister Claire Trevena and Premier John Horgan
Hon. Claire Trevena and Premier John Horgan
We have lived in View Royal for almost 30 years and in recent years I have become a volunteer Streamkeeper on Craigflower Creek.
In all this time, I have trusted our government to make the right decisions based on our comfort and safety.
We are very concerned about the HandyDart Maintenance yard planned for the PARK/ Greenspace located near the corner of Watkiss Way and Burnside Road, with Craigflower Creek running through it.
The residents of View Royal and mayor and council had rejected this project when BC Transit had originally made application. And yet, somehow in our so-called democracy, we are being forced by the provincial government in power to allow a PARK to be converted into an industrial site. Across the road is an elementary school and high density residential living accommodations, which have greatly increased local traffic patterns.
Recent record rainfalls had increased the creek to record high levels. Runoff from the nearby roads/parking lots have add all sorts of dangerous chemicals to the salmon/fish bearing creek on the property. Adding up to 110 busses will surely further increase the risk of contamination to this fragile creek if this facility goes forward.
In addition to salmon and trout, the creek and drainage ditches on this site are home to many aquatic plants and animals, including the LAST NATIVE Turtle living in British Columbia.
The Western Painted Turtle is protected by the Federal Government’s Species At Risk ACT (SARA).
The female turtle nests up to 150meters from any waterways, which will reduce the usable area of this fragile site.
We live at 2039 Highland Road with only one entrance/exit to the area. Rush hour at the busy intersection of Watkiss and Burnside is currently not a pleasant experience. Adding over 110 busses to this already busy intersection could be a disaster if there is emergency access required into our single entrance community.
I urge you to reconsider this decision and find a better location that is currently zoned as an industrial site.
Yours truly
Pat Emile Bill Emile
2039 Highland rd Victoria BC V9B 6H8
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