Dear editor,

I am writing to urge provincial cabinet minister Mary Polak to order a drinking water protection plan for the Comox Valley regional water supply, as requested by our provincial health officer, Dr. Charmaine Enns.

This much-needed action will ensure the Comox Valley region moves in a democratic, transparent and quantifiable way to safeguard the area’s precious water supply for the future.

I have lived in this area for more than a decade, and have noted with concern the intensive and expanding use of the Comox Lake watershed. This watershed and lake are an essential resource which is increasingly vulnerable to conflicting needs and pressures from many sectors, including:

• forestry (raising issues around deforestation and pesticide use in a watershed);

• expanded lakeshore camping by the Village of Cumberland (which profits from the recreational use of these waters though they don’t drink from it);

• the relocated lakefront rod and gun club lodge and campsite;

• housing (both existing with aging septic fields, and new as TimberWest moves from forestry into real estate);

• public swimming areas;

• the high and rapidly expanding public drinking water demand and the anticipated population growth for this region;

• growing awareness of the need to safeguard the integrity of the watershed ecosystem, wildlife needs and other environmental considerations.

Several years ago, Courtenay city council turned down an opportunity to begin purchasing residential properties on the shores of Comox Lake in order to reduce the potential for contamination of their city’s drinking water.

At the same time, I read that the state of New York had committed to purchasing and closing watersheds that provide drinking water, despite the extremely high cost of this land.

Here in the Comox Valley, the CVRD and watershed “stakeholders” are against a provincially mandated plan, preferring to work on a regional water plan of their own.

This stance is not surprising, as the stakeholders (who exercise significant influence over watershed management) have a vested economic interest in maintaining their access and use of the lake — even if these uses contradict the standards for safe and sustainable watershed practices.

In particular, is there not a conflict of interest for Fred Bates who, as chair of the CVRD board, speaks against a provincially mandated plan?

Mr. Bates is also the mayor of Cumberland. Cumberland residents don’t drink from the lake, but the village does profit financially from promoting the recreational use of these waters.

While the voluntary efforts these stakeholders have made recently to mitigate their negative impact in the watershed is appreciated and is recognized as a valuable contribution, this approach is insufficient to adequately safeguard such a vital asset.

Proper watershed management requires the broadest possible perspective and a comprehensive, well-implemented and regulated plan such as would be designed under the Drinking Water Protection Plan.

G. Rehwald,

Courtenay