Dear Editor,
Through months of discussions I remained hopeful that preservation of land at Cape Roger Curtis is possible with controlled visitation. This hope is reinforced by recent proposals from Bowen residents for a centre with educational and youth-centred activities.
Sadly, the CRC webinar on August 1 suggests that Metro is unprepared to change the essence of their plans. I hope I’m wrong.
1. Honest Talk. During the webinar, the Metro panel stretched the truth on several occasions:
(a) One panelist stated that the residents of Bowen showed “resonance” with the overall vision of the CRC proposal. This claim ignores the complexity of opinions. Many Bowen residents have expressed support for the preservation of CRC but a substantial majority are firmly opposed to overnight camping.
(b) The panel suggested that the plan has been developed with input from First Nations so I asked what input has been received from First Nations. The answer, re-iterated twice, was that they are “reaching out” and “seeking input”. The CRC plan thus far has evidently been developed with no meaningful input from First Nations.
(c) Metro claims that feedback obtained has informed the refinement of their plan. But there is scant evidence that the plan has been changed fundamentally. While Metro has suggested a shuttle bus service and other modest changes, the major concerns around overnight camping remain unaddressed.
2. Transportation Plan. Although Metro is in discussions with BC Ferries and BC Transit, no plan to deal with transport to CRC is yet developed. One Metro concept is to “spread the load” of those using BC Ferries but this concept was not explained. Metro estimates that an additional 160 to 180 vehicles are expected each day on summer weekends. Parking facilities for so many vehicles exist neither at CRC, Horseshoe Bay nor Snug Cove.
3. Multi-Use Pathway. Metro plans rely upon the completion of the MUP. The latest extension to Grafton Lake has been costed at about $3.5 million. Metro gave no indication how or if they will contribute to the cost ($10 million?) of completing the MUP from Grafton to CRC.
4. Water at CRC. We were told that wells developed on the properties purchased by Metro are more than adequate. This claim is based on a 2014 CRC survey coupled with water use by campers in Washington State. Knowledge of the current quantity and quality of water that may be drawn from wells at CRC and demands of campers at CRC is therefore lacking.
5. Emergency Planning. As a “NERP” volunteer I was shocked to learn that initial emergency responses at CRC will be the responsibility of Bowen ER services. This indicates a substantial gap in ER planning if Metro assumes the volunteer units on Bowen could handle the additional demands of several hundred visitors.
6. Impact of Camping on CRC. Metro is engaged in studies of fauna and flora at CRC but park planning has proceeded before the studies will provide meaningful information. Metro has therefore decided the level of land use before we know what level of use the land can tolerate. Apparently Metro will use an “adaptive approach”. I fear this implies that Metro will change their plans once the damage has been done.
7. How Many Visitors? Based on BC Ferries ridership, the number of summer visitors to Bowen has increased from about 70,000 (in 2014) to more than 145,000 in 2022. Bowen is clearly a welcoming community. Considering our small population, limited infrastructure and marginal summer water supplies, I asked the Metro panel what level of visitation might be tolerable and to consider the lifestyles of the residents of Bowen Island. Sadly, there was no response to this question.
Remaining Hopeful. I hope MetroVan will take our concerns to heart and consider progressive ideas with a focus on youth, education and reconciliation. Such a centre would greatly enhance Metro’s reputation and create a jewel within the Howe Sound UNESCO Biosphere.
- Roger Brownsey
