Dear editor,
It saddens me to have to explain to Steve Shortridge why a gas station on the Dyke Road is not a good idea.
You saw my letter as an attack on Wayne Procter. That was not the case. I was upset because the regional directors failed to come up with a creative solution to keep a gas station off the Dyke Road, caved in to one person, and issued a building permit. At the time, of course, I did not know I was attacking your intelligence.
Buying the property was my suggestion for a solution, so that it could be returned to the Courtenay River Estuary. Did you know that our very own estuary is one of only eight Class 1 estuaries, and the second most important, in British Columbia? The estuary provides habitat for 145 bird species, 218 plant species and 29 fish species including all five species of salmon.
At this very moment a panel of concerned citizens, including two of our Regional District directors, are working towards obtaining national historic status for the Courtenay River Estuary.
My mention of the tanker truck accident which spilled gas into the Goldstream River was to illustrate that accidents do happen in the most unexpected places and can result in devastating environmental damage. Bringing even more gas tanker trucks along the already accident-prone Dyke Road and then allowing them to discharge their contents into gas tanks in such a sensitive area defies logic.
In terms of putting my money where my mouth is, I have contributed financially to environmental groups and causes all my adult life. Furthermore, I have indeed written to Mr. Procter to initiate negotiations to buy his property and am awaiting his reply.
In 2008 a petition against a gas station on the Dyke Road was signed by 1,400 people, so yes, hundreds of people have been let down.
I have a challenge for you, Steve Shortridge. Go down to the estuary at sunrise, stand quietly at the edge of the water, watch the eagles soaring above you, a Great Blue Heron keeping you company on the beach. Let the beauty and tranquility of the estuary fill your heart and maybe, just maybe, you will want to protect it too.
M. Machum,
Comox
