Monday, January 12, 2004

Help Save South Chilcotin Park!

Hello Friend,

In the next few days, British Columbia's government will decide the fate of South Chilcotin Mountains Provincial Park.

The mining industry is pressuring government to change the park's boundaries, or eliminate it altogether. This decision concerns me greatly as the park, located just north of Whistler, is an ecological jewel.

If you don't want the boundaries of South Chilcotin Mountains Provincial Park changed to allow mining and mining exploration, call your MLA, Minister Stan Hagen, or the premier right now.

To find out who your MLA is, and to be connected to them on a toll-free line, just call Enquiry BC.

Enquiry BC numbers:

Victoria: 250-387-6121
Vancouver: 604-660-2421
Elsewhere in BC: 1-800-663-7867
Outside of BC, regular phone rates apply: call 1-604-660-2421
or go to: http://www.legis.gov.bcca/mla/3-1-1.htm

Prefer to write a letter or e-mail? Please see the links at the bottom of this page.

If you have a chance, email me at panos@davidsuzuki.org and let me know if you are planning to follow up on this action alert.

Thank you for your help,

Panos Grames
Outreach Coordinator
Forests and Wildlands
David Suzuki Foundation

More info:

Located just north of Whistler, BC, South Chilcotin Park was first proposed in 1937. After 64 years of work, this extraordinary and significant ecological zone, where the wet climate of coastal BC meets the dry climate of the interior, was made into a park in 2001.

The creation of this park gave endangered species such as the grizzly bear and bull trout habitat protection, and the eleven million dollar wilderness tourism sector the long-term certainty that encourages investment. If the size of the park is reduced, opportunities for the recovery of endangered wildlife will be lost along with socio-economic opportunities.

* The Lillooet LRMP, after five years of study, reached a consensus that the Spruce Lake/Southern Chilcotin area was the area’s priority for protection.
* The tourism industry fully supports the retention of the Spruce Lake/South Chilcotin Park.
* Recreation and conservation groups have been lobbying for the protection of the South Chilcotin for over 60 years.
* The BC public loves BC provincial parks and will not stand for the dismantling of a provincial park to appease mining interests.
* Investors will not support an industry that wants to develop in sensitive and controversial areas. Investors want mining projects that are environmentally friendly and generate a return on investment.
* Years of exploration in the South Chilcotin have not found mineral deposits of economic significance.
* The government needs to complete the LRMP plan by designating as park all areas that were agreed upon after five years of public discussions.

See these websites for action centers that allow you to easily send a letter or fax to BC government officials.

WildCanada
Earth Care
Western Canada Wilderness Committee

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