August 1, 2005—Will the protection of a series of small pocket areas be enough? No. The south coast ecosystem functions as one unit of land, with seeping soil moisture levels and so on depending on complete protection from large-scale disturbances such as development. It also requires a wide inland setback to maintain the ecological integrity of the whole system.
Progress towards the conservation of Cape Roger Curtis has been made during the past few months, including:
- The developer has stated that he is ready to welcome discussion and input to the planning process.
- Some candidates in this fall’s municipal election support the protection of these special lands.
- Our current councilors have agreed to open discussions with GVRD Parks, so that the Cape will be on their list later in the process when and if any gap in the conservation plan remains to be filled.
Major challenges remain, however. Consider this:
- Initial development plans made public by the developer so far contain only tiny fragments of park and narrow public beach access corridors.
- A development permit for a road into Cape Roger Curtis from Whitesails Drive has been issued.
- The developer has not endorsed a community-led process for discussion and input into the planning process.
Natural Area
On July 27, the developer’s consultants confirmed the environmental significance and sensitivity of the coastal fringe along the south shore. Some of the unique plant communities were so rare and vulnerable that the consultants did not mark their locations on maps that the public could see. This wild coast is indeed an ecological treasure.
Will the protection of a series of small pocket areas be enough? No. The south coast ecosystem functions as one unit of land, with seeping soil moisture levels and so on depending on complete protection from large-scale disturbances such as development. It also requires a wide inland setback to maintain the ecological integrity of the whole system. The natural area required would be at least half of the land base.
Coastal Trail
Walkers and riders treasure the natural beauty and sense of wilderness they feel at Cape Roger Curtis, along with the restorative contemplation and healthful exercise. A trail along the entire coastline is part of our conservation vision, inspiring respect and stewardship among trail users and providing protective eyes and ears. The Coastal Trail Zone marked on the map would contain one section, while the southern trails would ramble through the natural area. The most sensitive coastal areas can be protecting by keeping trails higher on the slope, where there are some fabulous views down to the glittering sea. Coastal trails will link up with the island’s greenway trail network.
Green Line
Islanders love the small beach on the west coast, often called Pebble Beach or Pirate’s Cove. One end of the green line embraces this beach. The other end curves up to connect with the proposed Fairy Fen Nature Reserve and the rest of the Cove to Cape Greenway, reflecting the ecological need to maintain connectivity across the Cape’s natural area and the island.
This conservation plan map reflects the input of many members of Bowen’s conservation community. It has remained well-supported with very few adjustments through the abandoned neighbourhood concept planning process, discussions at the CRCTS AGM and in other meetings earlier this year.
Archived materials
Posts
- Fall 2009 update
- Legal Opinion on CRC Subdivision Application
- Parks Canada Initiative – Fall/Winter 2009
- Disappointment: The Owner’s New Proposal for Cape Roger Curtis
- Cape Trust Society praised for quality of work
- Fifty-eight-lot subdivision application for the Cape shouldn’t be on the table
- Cape Roger Curtis Trust Society Launches Wild Coast Plan 2
- CRC Plan Beyond Comprehensive
- Bowen agleam in red and green
- Wild Coast Plan 2
Documents
- Why environmental inventories are insufficient for conservation planning: Comments on the 2008 PGL report on CRC
- Four-legged friend or foe? Dog walking displaces native birds from natural areas
- Mitigating and adapting to Climate Change through conservation of nature
- CRC writer ignored biological issues
- Cape Roger Curtis Biophysical Summary
- Overview Environmental Inventory
- Success Stories Show Park at Cape Roger Curtis Not Impossible
- Council Resolution Defining the Public Interest in Cape Roger Curtis
- Follow up from Dr. Karel Klinka’s Assessment of the Cape Roger Curtis Property
- Ecological Assessment and Considerations in Developing the Cape Roger Curtis Property
Letters
- CRC Trust Society makes clear its position
- Trust Society comments on Neighbourhood Plan of September 2008
- Trust Society Comments on Ekistics’ Preliminary Neighbourhood Plan and Implementation Options
- CRC Transportation Study Points to the Need for an OCP Review
- It’s all in the numbers-–hundreds of houses are just too many
- Council encouraged to instate DCCs
- Developers should be held to task
- Walk Your Talk Inside and Outside
- CRC developers upped ante unacceptable
- Transparent or veiled?