Environment Minister Sloughed-off Rezoning Issue to CVRD

An open letter to the Minister of Environment, the Honourable George Heyman:

Dear Minister,I am seriously concerned that the rezoning proposed for the Cowichan River estuary is a huge mistake that runs absolutely counter to the Premier's efforts directed at improving salmon populations on our coast. As you no doubt are aware a large effort is being made through the Wild Salmon Advisory Council to try to turn the past trajectory of provincial concern for salmon around. A metal smelting and fabrication plant in this estuary will not help this. A huge amount of work has gone into rehabilitating the Cowichan to the point where Chinook returns are back to sustainable levels. Regardless of assurances this operation will degrade the estuarine habitat over time, particularly if government changes or oversight wavers.I also find it somewhat disingenuous that you have essentially sloughed off the issue by declaring it a 'local concern'. The Cowichan Estuary OIC clearly states that the Ministry of Environment is responsible for its protection. Please use whatever influence you have to quash this rezoning request and do not allow this estuary to once again be degraded to become "a working harbour".Geoffrey ChislettRetired BC Fisheries Habitat BiologistSidney, B.C.