Vancouver, November 13, 2012 – Research by Vancouver Sun writer, Larry Pynn, reinforces the Burns Bog Conservation Society’s concerns over the South Fraser Perimeter Road. The freedom-of-information documents obtained by the Vancouver Sun reinforces what the Society has been saying all along. The South Fraser Perimeter Road will impact the hydrology of Burns Bog and the habits of rare and endangered species.
“The Federal government failed in its duty to the people of Canada. The Province failed in its duty to the people of British Columbia. Metro Vancouver and Delta shirked their collective duties to Burns Bog by refusing to invoke the Dispute Resolution Clause in the Burns Bog Conservation Covenant,” stated Eliza Olson, President of the Burns Bog Conservation Society after reading Larry Pynn’s column in the Vancouver Sun, November 13, 2012.
It is clear that the Federal and BC governments over-rode the concerns of its scientists over the location of the South Fraser Perimeter Road. The BC Government ignored recommendations by the Society and other members of the community to shift the South Fraser Perimeter Road away from Burns Bog and the Fraser River.
“Building this road on peat contravenes international standards and increases carbon dioxide in our atmosphere,” commented Olson. “You are polluting our air by destroying peat before even one truck travels its route.”
“Applying for Ramsar designation for the Fraser Delta while the South Fraser Perimeter Road is ploughing its way through Burns Bog peat is the height of hypocrisy!” added Olson. “trying to rationalize that it is (the South Fraser Perimeter Road) not in the “conservation area” is unacceptable.”
“I am not too sure how you ‘salvage’ the southern Red-backed vole, the Pacific water shrew, red-legged frog or the Oregon forest snail by destroying what little habitat there is for these species, “ Olson added.
“What is really frustrating is the continued denial by the Provincial government that there were impacts on the Bog and its wildlife when it is clear that was not true and they knew it.
Adding “six positions” dedicated to compliance and enforcement after the damage is done is like locking the barn door after the horses are stolen. The people of Canada, British Columbia and Delta deserve better.”
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For further information contact: Eliza Olson, Burns Bog Conservation Society, 604.572.0373
Founded 24 years ago the Burns Bog Conservation Society is dedicated to the protection of Burns Bog and its inhabitants. Its main focus is providing raised boardwalks in the Delta Nature Reserve and offering educational tools related to Burns Bog and other peatlands.
Thanks to the Delta Chapter of TD Friends of the Environment, the Society presented the Delta School Board with 63 copies of its “For Peat’s Sake: A Classroom Study of Burns Bog and other Peatlands,” November 6, 2012.
It filed a lawsuit against the Federal government, November 2010 for failing to protect Burns Bog. It is in the process of appealing the judge’s decisions. The Society has been campaigning against the South Fraser Perimeter Road since 2004 when it developed its “Position Statement” on the South Fraser Perimeter Road.