Never Fast -Track a Decision You May Regret!

 Bob Kopp, Duncan, BCLetter to the EASC directors opposing re-zoning, 11 March 2019I am writing to request CVRD directors to postpone the March 12, 2019 public hearing on amending the bylaw until a rigorous impact assessment is initiated. I believe the CVRD Board members have a responsibility to base any decision on the best available information. Because adequate and current information is not available, I believe efforts must be made to gather and provide the Board and the public with the  “best” information... not an outdated 30+ year old plan. I was traveling outside of Canada for the month of January, and upon my return home, I am very concerned that a decision is being fast tracked based largely on 30 to 40 year old + information. In recent weeks I have been searching for updated public domain information, but I can only find very little decades old information. Much has changed in environmental science and awareness since the EMP was approved. Almost no background information is publicly available. Most of the original stakeholders have changed and do not have interest today. I believe this decision is too important to fast track without greater effort to secure suitable information.I request the CVRD delay any decision on rezoning in Cowichan Bay until a suitable Impact Assessment is completed. If Tuesday’s public hearing goes ahead and a decision to rezone is made without better understanding and more public consultation, I fear the Board’s decision will be tainted with arguments that a favorable decision was a “whitewashing” of real environmental and resident concerns that will give a “free pass” for bad behavior. It can likely be argued that the current plan failed to properly monitor the PIM activity because it was left to the local citizenry to bring the issue of noncompliance of the current bylaw to your attention.I am sensitive to the need for good jobs in our society, and I believe there are reasonable options to relocate PIM (without losing jobs) that have not been explored. Access to tidewater is available from the North Cowichan industrial park near Chemainus, in Crofton or from the old industrial site in Bamberton. Have these optional locations been given consideration for PIM to relocate? Is it possible to phase out the PIM operation over several years if optional sites are available?In closing, I favor ideas to restore the estuary to the environmental condition as it was prior to 1950. It would be wonderful to have at least one estuary on South Vancouver Island reclaimed from industrial use. The Cowichan River is a Canadian Heritage River, but it also classed as an “endangered” river. Please seriously consider a precautionary approach to all bylaw consideration.Thank you for considering my request and comments.Respectfully,Bob KoppDuncan, BC