SAVE HOWE SOUND

‘ A committee of area-residents and representatives of outdoor and
conservation groups has met in common cause cn the broad iesue of detrimental se

encroachment py industry on the river systems and waterways of B.C.
Specifically, this committee protests the further development of a Superport
on the Squamish River estuary. .

Howe Sound is a magnificent body of water 30 miles long. At its head
lies the town of Squamish beside the Squamish River mouth. Nearby are famoug
beauty spots ~ Shannon falls, Chieftain mountain and the Lions. Beyond is
matchless Garibaldi Park with its untouched lake and meadows, Mt. Garibaldi
and Whistler - a veritable paradise for skiing and mountain climbing, all
accessible by road and train. At the entrance of the Sound is Horseshow
Bay, once a lovely setting being rapidly clogged by ferries for three
destinations - Nanaimo, Sechelt and Bowen Island. Many growing communities
dot the coastline and larger islands, with Marina facilities to service
them. Summer cottages and long-established youth camps complete the
picture. All the waterways of Howe Sound were set aside in the 1960's
by the Federal Fisheries Dept. as a sports fishing preserve. This fact
plus its proximity to a large metropolitan area and vast variety of outdoor
pursuits available - swimming, fishing, sailing, yachting, scuba diving,
climbing and hiking, has made it unique for recreation. That this facility
for. the public and tourist visitors should in any way be ruined is unthinkable.
large-acale freighter traffic would do this by congestion and pollution.

The proposed coal bulk-loading Superport would require further dredging i
at the river mouth. Scientists warn us this poses a severe threat to the :
transitional food chain of marine life essential to our intemmationally
known salmon spawned in that river system. Long-term survival of this
species holds the concern of sports and commercial fishermen alike. A i
Federal-Provincial task force was set up to determine the role this estuary :
plays in the propagation of fish stocks on the three river deltas in this. '
region. Their report, due mid-October (1972), should be vital to deciaion-
making, If it is to receive unbiased appraisal by all government levels re mo )

involved, public opinion must be expressed now to demand sensible aternatives.
We appeal to you to support this cause by writing at once to the

Hon. Jack Davis M.P. (Environment), Premier Dave Barrett, M.L.A.’s Bob

Williame (Environment) and Allan Williams of West Vancouver-Howe Sound

Riding (copies for our records would be appreciated! ).

# Your timely co-operation by response with this request ids most urgent?!

i Sunset Beach Howe Sound W. Cecil Wakely ~ Chairman :
4 West Vancouver, B.C. Save Howe Sound Committee :
Sy.

September, 1972