Squirrel Cove Hearing Delayed to July 24
A public hearing on the controversial plan for a major new marina in Squirrel Cove has been rescheduled to July 24 at Gorge Hall, 1375 Robertson Road, Cortes Island. The hearing was originally scheduled for July 6. The hearing offers cruising boaters a final opportunity to oppose the development that would radically alter navigation and anchoring access in Squirrel Cove, one of Desolation Sound’s most popular anchorages.
Squirrel Cove Marine Resort, proposed by the Klahoose First Nation, is nearing approval at federal, provincial and regional levels. SRD directors have given preliminary approval to a rezoning bylaw to permit the project, with the hearing a next step.
The project would include a serviced 69-berth marina, 46 mooring buoys, a fuel dock, and float plane and water taxi docks covering 16 hectares in the outer portion of Squirrel Cove, and relocation of an existing shellfish aquaculture site into the narrows that lead to the inner cove. The SRD supports the project for its economic benefit to the First Nation.
But boating organizations, including the Council of BC Yacht Clubs and Marine Parks Forever Society, argue that the marina takes up so much area that it will impede safe navigation within the cove and compromise one of Desolation Sound’s most sheltered anchorages.
“The hearing will be the last opportunity for public input into the decision. Boaters who do not want to see this go ahead need to attend the meeting and speak their minds,” said Peter Stockdill, an opponent of the project. “Following the public hearing, only third reading of the bylaw will be required.”
The hearing is scheduled for 1:30 pm on Wednesday July 24.
www.savesquirrelcove.ca
www.klahoose.org/kfn-seeks-membership-review-of-marine-resort/
