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Letters to the editor for the week of December 24th

Pipeline threatens future of B.C.
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Pipeline threatens future of B.C.

With the announcement December 19 that the National Energy Board has given the go ahead to the Northern Gateway pipeline, it raised great concern with me about what lies ahead for future, for environment and how the federal government views B.C.'s rivers and coastline, our wild salmon and steelhead, our grizzly bear and caribou populations and our current economy.

In order to pave the path for this pipeline to go ahead, we have seen the Fisheries Act changed by federal government allowing for serious harm to fish, where "serious harm to fish" is defined as "death of fish or any permanent alteration to, or destruction of, fish habitat."

Technically speaking, nothing in our world is "permanent," given enough time. This legislation recently was enacted into law.

The changes to the Fisheries Act were not the only action taken by the federal government, but the vast majority of Department of Fisheries and Oceans Habitat staff was told their positions were no longer needed and let go.

Concerns of British Columbians are dismissed, as not in the national interest of the economy. When I hear Federal Natural Resources Minister Joe Oliver say, "No project will be approved unless it is safe for Canadians and safe for the environment," I have to wonder how this will ever be done, with a toothless Fisheries Act and gutted Department of Fisheries and Oceans Habitat staff?

It gets more alarming with the announcement on Dec. 20, 2013 that the National Energy Board has reached an agreement with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans to assess potential impacts from oil pipelines to fish and fish habitat. CKNW News is reporting that: "The Memorandum of Understanding essentially means the NEB will assess any aquatic environmental impacts of a pipeline proposal, and the DFO will communicate on those assessments, on species at risk, and any violations."

Skeena Wild Executive Director Greg Knox said: "The NEB has absolutely no capacity or expertise to assess impacts to the fish habitat or to administer the Fisheries Act, so it boggles my mind how they can now take over the responsibility from the DFO."

Coastal First Nations executive director Art Sterritt told CBC that: "we will never allow" the Northern Gateway Pipeline to "happen, nor would the Constitution of Canada."

You also have Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, president of the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs, saying that: "the fight was not over." First Nations people have clearly told the federal government that they don't want this pipeline, but the government is choosing not to listen.

Concerns of British Columbians are dismissed, as not in the national interest of the economy.

I read with great interest your recent Pique cover story "Skiing the Pipeline."

In the article the author, (Leslie Anthony) mentions a film called Casting a Voice by filmmaker Dimitri Gammer.

I recently took the time to watch this film; it's 35 minutes long and puts a real perspective on the threats posed to B.C. and the importance of protecting it from the Northern Gateway Pipeline, for not only the salmon and steelhead that it produces, but also the contributions that it makes to the Canadian Economy.

I urge all of your readers to take the time to watch the film, they won't be disappointed! It has some fantastic cinematography and really gets down to the true issue that a pipeline should never be built in northern B.C. There are more logical routes for this bitumen to travel, namely to the oil refineries in eastern Canada.

As a British Columbian that who has travelled to the Smithers and Terrace area for the last 15 years, in the first week of October to fish for wild steelhead on the Skeena and its tributary rivers, this movie really hit home. I strongly feel that Skeena steelhead and the Skeena watershed is a Canadian treasure that needs to be protected not only for its environmental importance, but also for the fact that this is a sustainable industry that, when taken care of, will be here forever.

Please take the time to watch Dimitri's film. Here's the link to the Casting a Voice film http://vimeo.com/78876102 .

It will leave you asking what can I do to protect B.C. from Northern Gateway Pipeline?

Dave Brown

Whistler

A fond farewell

We want to send a very warm and heartfelt thank you to all mom's (Judi Kirkpatrick) friends and family who came from near and far to be at her Celebration of Life this past Thursday.

To the always helpful staff at the Fairmont Chateau, the boys at UPS and Toad Hall Studios, Senka Florists and of course the wonderful John McGregor who was our master of ceremonys, thanks.

It has been a very difficult couple of months and the support that we have had from the Whistler community and our Vancouver community has helped us get through.

Thanks for all the beautiful cards and flowers and we wish everyone and their family's a Happy Holidays and the best for the New Year ahead.

Sheri Warm

Whistler

Powder lust or not, cooler heads must prevail

I much preferred the Question's edited version of Ray Mason's letter, "A bad rap for sledders" than I did the Pique's version titled "All about the powder?"

While both versions underline some valid concerns, the ad hominem attacks in the Pique's version offered nothing to advance Mr. Mason's claim but did suggest an attempt to malign a community member who has volunteered extensive time to advance the interests of many human-powered recreationists throughout the corridor and to mitigate environmental damage in the Sproatt/Rainbow area in particular.

As a colleague of Bryce Leigh and a fellow member of the Alpine Club of Canada, Whistler Section, I would suggest that some fact checking on letters might be in order before they are published.

The LRMP process established a non-motorized closure zone for the Rainbow/21 Mile Creek watershed; it is a myth perpetuated by some that this closure is in fact a recommendation.

The signs erected by RSTBC last season and re-located with the help of a committee including both motorized and human-powered recreational users have been augmented with signs this year that state: "No Motorized Vehicles Beyond This Point", a fact Mr. Mason is likely aware of since he modifies another statement from the sign when he asks "[s]o how was your coffee this morning."

Further, Mr. Mason opines in hyperbolic terms that when we human-powered backcountry users access non-motorized zones, the zones "are usually accessed by helicopter." In the case of the Alpine Club of Canada, Whistler Section, this is completely untrue, as our trip guidelines actually preclude the use of helicopter to reach areas that can be accessed through human-power as a day trip, and this includes the entire Sproatt/Gin/Rainbow complex. Mr. Leigh is actually our conscience in this regard, and we have supported this recommendation at all times.

Times, it has been often said, are changing, and in this regard we can all expect further regulation of areas on our doorstep. Some areas will be protected for "quiet enjoyment" because that is what some of us desire; other areas, as Mr. Mason, who regularly posts online as a contact for Totally Awesome Adventures, is aware, will support a viable tourism structure with combined motorized and non-motorized usage.

In recent years, while organized motorized and human-powered users have not always agreed, there has been continued discussion and agreements to work together; perhaps because we all see some writing on the wall. This latest agreement between organized motorized and human-powered users on Sproatt and the Whistler watershed is just one of those areas where we are trying to work together.

All rhetoric and history aside, those meetings in the early 2000s that Mr. Mason attended a few times have continued through the years and 2013 finds us poised waiting on a new winter season. As Mr. Mason doubtless knows, there are many motorized and human-powered users, anxiously awaiting the fun that winter brings. Rather than attacking community members who are trying to resolve real and current issues, Mr. Mason may wish to return to the table and add his considerable expertise to the mix.

Mitchell Sulkers

Chair, ACC Whistler