If all goes according to Edith Tobe's plan, the District of Squamish (DOS) may be landholders of the Mamquam Blind Channel property in order to protect it from development in the future. Tobe, who is the project manager of the Squamish Rivershed Society, along with Tamsin Baker of The Land Conservancy of B.C, outlined some of the key factors involved with the parcel of land on Tuesday (Sept. 9) at the council strategy session."My vested interested in the purchase of these lands has been because we've got restoration works on either side of the Mamquam Blind Channel and the Britannia Slough," said Tobe. "With the OCP we're hoping that it's recognized as open greenways."Currently the land is owned by BC Rail Properties and is zoned as resource with most of it under the flood protection zone. The zoning would make future developments challenging, but still Tobe would like to see the land secured with a responsible owner, and a covenant in place.The six-acre parcel of land is host to wetlands that provide overwintering habitat for young salmon and a critical survival habitat during flooding of the tidal drainage channels.As outlined in the report submitted to council, "the site will remain a critical wildlife refuge within urban Squamish. The varied habitat, which includes wetlands, riparian areas and mixed forests, has a high level of biodiversity."The land also includes the area adjacent to the Adventure Centre and provides a trail that allows wildlife viewing, said Tobe."It is a great opportunity for residents of Squamish to enjoy nature in their backyard," said Baker, who said the placing covenants on a parcel of land are an efficient way to protect features on the land.The initial $900,000 price tag for the land was "obscene", said Tobe.The price has now lowered to approximately $385,000, and Tobe has been actively fundraising to meet the price. Currently she has secured $200,000, with $100,000 from BC Hydro's Bridge Coastal Restoration Fund and $100,000 from the CN Cheakamus Ecosystem Recovery Fund.Tobe is hoping that $150,000 will come from the Sea to Sky improvement project and Kiewit and Sons, and the remaining $50,000 to come from additional grants and corporate donations.Coun. Heintzman was in full support of the proposal."I can't see a downside to this," she said. "It's no cost to the district, and it's valuable enough that any kind of minor cost is worth incurring."Coun. Gardner admitted his "emotional attachment" to the land. "It ties in with our Smart Growth Strategies," he said, adding that the only issue he could see would be council's "taking title to it"."I don't see a liability issue," he said, although he asked Baker why The Land Conservancy couldn't own the land."If we hold the covenant we can't own it as well," explained Baker.Coun. Lonsdale congratulated Tobe on all the work she has done. "For many years in the past this was Squamish's bird sanctuary," she said. "It's nice to see the opportunity for it to go back to that."
