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Earth Day Tour to Canada's 3rd Tallest Sitka Spruce Tree in Qualicum Beach

4/16/2019

Qualicum Beach – The Wilderness Committee Mid Island is inviting the public to their 20th annual Qualicum Beach Earth Day tour to Canada's 3rd tallest Sitka Spruce tree along the banks of the Little Qualicum River, this Saturday, April 20 at 1:00 pm.

“Over the years, this grand 60-hectare Coastal Douglas-fir forest has been referred to as the Qualicum Beach Salmon Forest, as the forest protects the water in the river for the annual migration of all 7 species of salmon as well as the important role of providing the drinking water for the Town of Qualicum Beach and the community of Dashwood, explains Annette Tanner, organizer of the tour.

“We are especially happy this year to have invited documentary film maker, Richard Boyce, www.vancouverislandstories.ca as our guest Earth Day tour guide,” continues Tanner.

Location: The approximate 2-hour tour will meet at the Faye Smith Memorial View Point beside the beach at the foot of Crescent Rd. West and the Old Island Highway at 1:00 pm. By donation and please wear good foot gear. Info: 250-752-6585.

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Comments from the Public at the Airport Meeting

4/6/2019

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Airport Citizen Comments (APRIL 1st)
The Following Is A Summary Of Questions And Points Of Concern Raised By Members Of The Community At Both Meetings. Both Meetings Were Well Attended.

10:00 Am Meeting

Threat Of Reduction Of Property Values In Chartwell As A Result Of The Introduction Of Low-Cost Housing At The Airport
When Will The Town Housing Study Be Released?
Why Are’nt The Drones Controlled?
Why Are The Helicopters Practicing Over Residential Homes?
The Helicopters Are Needed For “MEDIVAC” Services And Must Be Trained
D Mc-Why Were’nt We (THE Community) Consulted Regarding Airport Housing?
The Largest Plane Allowed To Land At The Airport Is A Dash 300
According To The Consultant, There Will Be A Formal Rezoning Process, Including A Public Hearing
How Will The Regulations Concerning Riparian Set-Backs From Water Courses Be Enforced? (FRENCH Creek)
The Quality Of Life Must Be Protected From Noise Pollution And Fine Particulate Matter. Consultant Stated Too Little Trafic To Measure Noise.
The Airport Will Be Supplied With Town Water, And The Local Aquifer Reserves Won’t Be Accessed.
Questions If The Care Committee Was Involved?
Call For A Good Neighbourhood Policy.
Call For Alternative Energy Sources Such As “SOLAR Panels”
Skydive Flights Average 3 A Day From Now To October. Island Express -5 Flights Per Day
Qualicum Woods Residents Concerned Regarding A “Drone Sound.”
Call For Air Quality Studies
Not The Place For Affordable Housing, Which Should Closer To The Center Of Town.
Cllr. Filmer –GREAT Place To Train Pilots, Town Has No Jurisdiction Over An Aircraft Once Airborne.

7:00 Pm Meeting

Lois Agreed Need For Affordable Housing; Airport Not The Location (POLLUTION, No Access To Amenities)
Trees Near The Airport Capture 20k Tons Of Co2 Per Year And Should Not Be Removed.
Forest Area Is A Wildlife Corridor And Should Be Preserved.
Jacobson No Mention Of Climate Change Or An Environmental Assessment
Request For A” Noise Study” Answered At 10:00 Am
Ray Smith Called For A Screen Cover Over The “DRY Pond”
The Question: Where The Water Coming From? It Will Be Piped In And Not Taken From The Aquifer. Nb: The Problem Here Is That The Town Gets Its Water From Aquifers.
Increase In Residental Properties Will Cause Congestion Problems And May Require A Re-Alignment Of The Adjacent Roads.
Gordon Huges: “IS This Proposal Addressing The Affordable Housing Issue? Note The Consultant Referred To The Residential Developments As Affordable, But Very Near Market
Call For Non-Polluting Industries In This Area. High Tech Preferred
Has Any Thought Of Creating A “SOLAR Farm?”
Dave Golson: No Mention Of Airport Sustainability In The Report. Is The Airport Sustainable?
Limited Bus Service And Adjacent Schools
Any Consideration Re Community Gardens For Commercial And Community Use?

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Notes on the Airport Meeting

4/6/2019

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Notes From Airport Presentations
Main Points Presented By Consultant: ( Patrica Malony
A Very Smooth And Experienced Individual
Meeting Overview

Airport Built In 1954
Never Sell Land—Lease ( 25-49 Years) To Facilitate Bank Financing
Airport Is A Certified Areodom Which Allows Commercial Traffic.
Development Restrictions: No Steam Or Smoke, No Birds, No Landfill Nothing To Cause Electronic Interference.
Three Categories Governing Airport Operations ( Tp147 “AIRPORT Vicinity Land Use. This Is A Good Reference Document)
- Airside-Direct Access
- Ground Side. Indirect Access
- Operational Uses Anything In Support Of Air Operations
28 Noise Exposure Contures: Standard In Larger Airports, Not Possible Here Due To Limited Usage.
Most Buildings Are North Of The Runway
Thirty Meter Buffer Must Be In Place To The North And South Of The Property.
The Current Development Permit Area #10 Must Be Re-Drawn – Too Vague! Any Rezoning Will Require A Robust Community Engagement Process And Extensive Public Hearings.
New Zoning Specific To Airport Operations Needed. Current Airport Goals Includes Silviculture And Affordable Housing Which Are Inconsistent With The 2016 ( Consultant Driven) Business Plan-Enhance Airport Operations.
South; Currently Zoned Light Industrial# 2, Future Uses Can Be Specifically Defined Through A Comprehensive Development Process And The Creation Of A Cd Zone. Attractive To Low Impact Business Startups, Could Include Live Work ( Like Courtney’s “LIVE/WORK. Tin-Town.” Other Possible Uses Include A Microbrewery And Business Park.
Included In The Forgoing Was A Reference To Affordable Housing As “NEAR Market” Which Is A Code For More Than Affordable.

Community Comments

Affordable Housing Should Be Placed In A More Appropriate Area. Homes Here Would Require A Vehicle And Would Generate Noise Pollution Complaints ( Helicopter Operations Most Intrusive).
Stormwater Management And Deforestation Seen As Critical Issues. The Latter Given That The Existing Forest Traps 20 Thousand Tons Of C02.

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Earth Day Tour to Canada's 3rd Tallest Sitka Spruce Tree in Qualicum Beach

Comments from the Public at the Airport Meeting

Notes on the Airport Meeting

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