EDITOR,
When I heard that local politicians are considering running a trucking route through the Squamish Estuary, I didn't now whether to laugh or cry.
On the one hand, it's tempting to indulge in cynical, appalled laughter at the hypocrisy of this idea: the municipal site www.squamish.ca lauds the estuary as part of our "unique and valuable" surroundings, and the mayor's message celebrates the Squamish community as "responsible stewards of the environment," yet some councillors (although thankfully not all of them) are apparently quite happy to pave over this part of our natural heritage.
On the other hand, tears seem more appropriate when considering how much we have to lose if this proposal goes ahead. Wetlands are increasingly rare, environmentally sensitive areas that provide a safe refuge for migratory waterfowl. The area also provides Squamish's human residents with natural flood protection, at no cost.
Most disturbing of all is that there is no good argument in support of this project. The goal is presumably to hasten oceanfront development, but I see no evidence that developing the area will have the desired effect of revitalizing Squamish's downtown: there are already plenty of unsold condos and townhouses, and empty offices and retail spaces, so increasing the supply will just help to devalue what already exists.
I encourage everyone who values our non-human neighbours - myriad life forms including the ducks, eagles, salmon, and rare plants of the estuary - to contact Squamish council and voice their opposition to this plan, as I did.
Viona Falk
Garibaldi Highlands
