A few days ago, workers began lining a road to facilitate access to Crown forestland located above West Shawnigan provincial park. The land in question was apparently granted to a woodlot licensee. But yesterday I was contacted by Bev and Tim McCooey, who informed me that these lots, 103 and perhaps 106, were actually designated park reserves by the provincial government, possibly as far back as the 1980s. This revelation did not surprise me all that much, since the Area B zoning maps depict them as Park, and there must have been some justification for this original classification. However, on MOF maps, these lots are not assigned any special status, no Ungulate Winter Range (UWR) nor Use for Recreation and Enjoyment (URE).

In August of l992 these lands became the focus of concerned Shawnigan Lake residents. The Ministry of Forests was preparing to trade these lands.  Considerable protest and much correspondence ensued. The Ministry of Parks and Lands became involved, as these lands are clearly designated Park on their maps. The Regional District Board filed a letter of strong protest to the Ministry of Forests as these lands are regionally zoned Parkland.  The Regional director at that time filed a similar letter of protest. A petition of objection to the change of status of these lands was filed by over 300 concerned area residents. The result of this correspondence was that assurances were given by both the Ministry of Parks and the Ministry of Forests that NO change in the status of these lands would occur without full public consultation!

So, no wonder the neighbours were shocked to see inroads being made this week on what they thought was parkland. Some, including myself, immediately fired off a volley of protests to Paul S. Knowles, the present district manager up at the Alberni office, demanding that the current incursion cease and desist – at least until the matter has been investigated. Regrettably, although Mr. Knowles did agree to meet with the concerned citizens, the road building on these lots has not been halted. Therefore, DIRECT ACTION  is required in order to demonstrate our sincerity. It would seem, from previous experience, that unless this happens, no-one is taken seriously. If you are willing and able to participate in a peaceful and civil demonstration, please contact me ASAP via my telephone number. All the best, Mary 250-743-2278 Shawnigan Lake Watershed Watch Association slwwa@uniserve.com