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A history of commitment to environment

A history of commitment to environment Re- Warming Thoughts, May 24, 2007 We at Whistler Blackcomb felt compelled to respond to Toby Salin’s “Warming Thoughts” letter to the editor in the Pique’s May 24 edition.

A history of commitment to environment

Re- Warming Thoughts, May 24, 2007

We at Whistler Blackcomb felt compelled to respond to Toby Salin’s “Warming Thoughts” letter to the editor in the Pique’s May 24 edition.

Whistler Blackcomb developed its Environmental Management System back in 1992 to outline a variety of important environmental initiatives including watershed, waste, energy, hazardous materials and wildlife management as well as restoration, and vehicle use and emissions reduction.

In 2007 alone we received four major environmental awards including the National Ski Areas Association 2007 Silver Eagle Award for Fish & Wildlife Habitat Protection; the First Choice Responsible Tourism Award for “Best in Mountain Environment;” the British Columbia Tourism Award for Excellence in Environmentally Responsible Tourism; and we were recognized as the Canadian industry leader in proactive environmental initiatives for the 2006-2007 ski season by Under the Sleeping Buffalo (UTSB) Research, a Banff-based environmental research firm.

To address Mr. Salin’s primary concerns regarding emissions and waste management:

We are working with GMC to address the unique vehicle needs of our staff with the least impactful vehicle. We used to have the Sierra Hybrids in our fleet but found the smaller Canyons to have lower fuel consumption. For 07/08, we will have completely changed our fleet over to the new AWD version of the GMC Acadia, a compact SUV with lower fuel consumption than our current vehicles.

To date Whistler Blackcomb has purchased 32 low-emission snowmobiles, snow cats that consume 18 per cent less fuel and has reduced its vehicle fleet to necessary vehicles only. Our 10-year-old employee carpooling program uses fleet vehicles to transport staff to Squamish and Pemberton after-hours, saving more than 600,000 kg of emissions annually.

Waterless toilet facilities are something that have been tested in the past, the men’s urinals in the Roundhouse winter season 04/05 were waterless and taken out due to guest complaints. However, we are committed to working towards a better waterless solution that can handle high volume and that will be tested again.

To get more information on what Whistler Blackcomb’s environmental stewardship programs are, we urge community members to visit whistlerblackcomb.com/mountain/environment and see the whole picture. We appreciate Mr. Salin taking the time to express his concerns. We are on a committed journey of continuous improvement and appreciate our community’s feedback — both the positive and negative.

Doug Forseth

Senior Vice President, Operations

Whistler Blackcomb

 

Blackwater only the beginning

I thank your paper for your comprehensive coverage of the Blackwater Mushroom Area. This shows a strong community responsibility. A correction in regards to the misstatements (or put less politely, bald lies!) of the B.C. Timber Sales. There is a water-shed issue! There are three registered agricultural and domestic water users drawing their water right at the logging site. Two of these users sustain orchards that are unique gene banks (Summerland and Sannichtown Research centres let the majority of their trees die) that are local exemplars of Quince, giant plum, yellow cherries, to name just a few. Downstream many others draw their water. The Blackwater Creek joins Gates Creek, which feeds into salmon beds and a hatchery. Blackwater is a traditional salmon and trout stream.

As to full environmental studies, we were told there are none by B.C. Timber Sales. Where are these nebulous studies? When I re-contacted them a Terry Sullivan said this is a communication problem, there are no studies just internal assessments! Where is the silviculture plan that by law must correspond to the demarcation on the ground and be signed by a registered forester? Why are these public documents not available? This is an illegal operation according Ministry of Forests own regulations.

A small historical note: When I lived in South America, Brazilian Army Officers who purposely cut down nut trees harvested by the natives for cash and food were indicted for war crimes! Is this not the same? Not only will $100,000 be stolen from locals’ pockets used to buy food but also don’t forget the other majority of the mushrooms harvested, up to 85 per cent, are consumed. What is the dollar value of this protein, $200,000, $300,000, or more? Is the provincial government planning to spend another $.5 million per year for the next century for our food?

This is only the first of three immediate clear cuts; there are cuts planned for the whole area including right up to Birkenhead Lake Park — in plain view. What a great marketing tie in for the Olympics! They already logged huge clear cuts above Blackwater Lake, once a great pine mushroom area. Don’t forget all the logging where you can’t see it.

We live in a participatory democracy. If you only sign a petition that really isn’t participating. If you’re concerned write, e-mail, phone your MLA, MP, provincial and federal ministers. BCTS tried to log in Pemberton’s drinking water shed — another good mushroom area — a couple years back. Maybe they will try again if they can roll over us in Blackwater.

Myson Effa

Pemberton

 

PPFI still active

Re: Lobbying for French Immersion in Pemberton Continues

As many parents in our community may be aware Pemberton Parents for French Immersion (PPFI) recently made a presentation to the Howe Sound School District Board to request they consider offering an Early French Immersion program at Signal Hill Elementary School.

For nearly a year PPFI has been working to educate parents about the benefits of French Immersion, encourage participation in our organization and gather support. With over 100 families in Pemberton and surrounding area expressing an interest in having their child enrolled in French Immersion, the Signal Hill Elementary School PAC requested the school hold a call for enrolment in early April. The results showed definite support for an Early French Immersion program (Kindergarten/grade 1) start with 25 students registered.

Our group was pleased with this result, but was advised that the school district administration would be recommending to the school board against an Early Immersion program start this fall because of the low enrolment and the unwritten rule of thumb that in order to establish an Early Immersion program there must be at least 44 students (or two full Kindergarten classes) enrolled for a program to be considered.

Although disappointed that the school board moved not to proceed with an Early Immersion program at Signal Hill Elementary School for 2007 PPFI are appreciative of the fact that the school board did agree to ask staff to develop a policy to establish the parameters around which establishing a French Immersion program would occur and to be open to considering a program in the future should the request come before the school board again.

PPFI believes that the unwritten requirement for two full kindergarten classes is unrealistic and unattainable for small communities such as Pemberton or even Whistler and we are calling on the school board to establish a policy that is innovative and forward thinking in order to provide an opportunity to establish an Early Immersion program. Although Pemberton is a small community, immersion programs have been started in many communities of similar or smaller size right across British Columbia. We do not feel that because we live in a small community our children should be penalized and not have access to the same educational options as those in larger communities, especially when it concerns opportunities to an education in both of Canada’s official languages.

French immersion is the most popular program of choice offered in B.C. with record-breaking increases in enrolment (for seven consecutive years), even as overall school enrolment in the province has declined. This clearly indicates the importance British Columbia’s parents place upon providing their children with the opportunity to be bilingual.

We are asking community members to join with us to help bring Canada’s other official language education to our schools. Our website is at www.pembertonfrenchimmersion.ca and there parents will find a great deal of information about immersion, can sign up to receive e-mail updates, and volunteer to get involved and have their voice heard for choice in education in Whistler-Pemberton.

Joanne Molinaro, Heather Prohaska, Nikki Gilmore, Sheena Fraser

Pemberton Parents for French Immersion

 

 

Looking forward to library

I read with interest the article in last week’s Pique about the library construction and the concerns regarding the expense of constructing the new facility. I’m sorry to hear that the new building embarrasses Bob Lorriman. In my experience, a library is a fundamental part of any community. It is where children often get their first exposure to the wonderful world of books; where students can go to find research material for their school projects; where adults can go for a quiet time away from home when the weather is awful and they don’t want to take part in the bar and party scene. A good library will also include rooms for meetings, courses, and seminars, which helps to expand learning and create community spirit. From the sound of the new library building, it will be able to fulfill all those expectations and more.

My understanding is that Whistler is trying to grow beyond being just a ski resort. The arts scene is expanding, people who do not ski or snowboard are now moving to the village, and we need more than a small building to meet the needs of the growing community. In addition, we need to offer our guests more than just extreme outdoor activities. I was reminded of this last rainy Sunday, when I watched a family with small children enjoy our current library for an hour, perusing the selections in the children’s area. Think of how much more they will enjoy their time in the new library, when there are couches to cuddle up on, and a room designed for children. I certainly am looking forward to having more room to relax and read — something that is hard to do in the building we have now.

As for construction costs — overruns happen, especially in this “hot construction market”. That is a risk that any new construction project takes, and it is often hard to budget realistically in a market like we currently have. That being said, I truly think the library is worthwhile investment for Whistler. It is a legacy for generations to come.

Anna-Maria Lawrie

Whistler

 

Readers rule

Once again, thousands of books were recycled at the Giant Used Book Sale when people picked up their summer reading for a bargain. A new record was set as the Friends of the Whistler Public Library raised $4,800 at the sale in aid of the library.

Thanks go out to the many people and businesses who make this event such a success: IGA Marketplace for allowing the sale to be held in front of the store, TD Canada Trust and Nesters Market for being collection depots, Creekside Merchants for the use of their tables, and Armchair Books for book donations. The Friends are grateful to both the Pique Newsmagazine and the Whistler Question for helping to get the word out about the sale as always.

Thanks also go out to steadfast super-guys Gary Pringle, for transporting tables back and forth, and Garry Clifford, Bill Janyk and Len Van Leeuwen for hauling books. Without much help from a crew of sorters, haulers, and sellers this event could not happen. Thanks go to out to them all: Alison Hunter, Anne Strickland, Libby McKeever, Stephanie Murray, Stephanie Sloan, Stella and Dave Harvey, Kashi Richardson, Lil Goldsmid, Simone Crichton, Jacqui Tyler, Barb Leigh, Lauren Stara, Marianna Orr, Thomas Clifford, Betty McWhinnie, Kris Shoup, Harlene Walker, Ophra Buckman, Suzanne Pearson, and Frankie Rees.

Thank you to all those who donated books and those who came to buy and generously donate to the library for their purchases. Happy reading and see you in October at the next Giant Used Book Sale!

Jane Reid, Organizer

Whistler

 

Poor examples for preschoolers

On the weekend of May 26 and 27th, a stroller was taken from the Whistler Children's Centre, which is a non profit organization that provides junior and senior preschool programs for children aged three months to six years of age.

That same weekend, two large garbage bags filled with beer bottles and pizza boxes was left outside the Periwinkles Preschool program for three and four year olds and an animal had obviously gotten into it, leaving glass and garbage outside the children's entrance into the building.

On the evening of May 29th, the only tricycle belonging to the Marmots Preschool program for four and five year olds was taken from our playground.

It is disappointing to have to explain to the children that there are people in this community who would steal from them and show such disrespect to the school property. As teachers we work hard to teach the children to be respectful of themselves, others and their environment. It would be helpful if everyone could model this behaviour.

If you have any information about these incidents or would like to return the stolen property, please call 604-932-1119.

KL Johnson for

The Teachers of The Whistler Children's Centre

 

On logging: B.C. and Canadian governments, take note

So, you want to log in the hallow’d Blackwater mushroom grounds?

Your purpose here coincides with the purpose of logging companies, whose motive is “profit”. That motive is sometimes mingled with “greed”.

At the D’Arcy meeting, about a month ago, the hired gun forestry expert put forth the notion that “disturbance” is good for mushroom growth. Please, don’t make me laugh! To a minor extent, “disturbance” may be good for the Morelle Mushroom. But here we are talking about the Matsutake, or Pine Mushroom (Armillaria ponderosa, a.k.a. Ticholoma magnivelare). Apparently, it takes about 60 years for the Pine Mushroom mycelium to fully regenerate. This forestry expert must have materialized from “The Best Place on Mars”.

Keep on… logging. However, take the long view — and be sure to be ready to eventually terraform Mars. Your efforts to marsform Terra are well known to Canada’s residents, and in a few years will be quite evident to a slightly larger population (hint: I see a number of circles, intertwined).

Come on, Mars is for Martians (they are very dry).

Let’s keep this planet blue, and green.

Wlodek Zara

D’Arcy