TE Cusi?Uiiniidik OF THE CITY OF PORT COQUITLAM

«=:  COUNC

OCT 2 2 1975.

TO: Mayor and Council October 19, 1973

FROM: Environmental Protection Sub-Committee

Report of the Environmental Protection Sub-Committee Meeting held October 18th,
1973 at 4:00 p.m. °

In Attendance: Alderman P.A, Meyer, Chairman
Alderman L.M. Traboulay, Deputy-Chairman
V.G. Borch

Respectfully Submitted.

During the past several months, the sub-committee had had many discussions
concerning the preservation of, use of, and development of the dedicated Nature
Area. Information from several sources has been gathered and studied and
unfortunately there are conflicting points of view which tends to make firm
recommendations for the Nature Area difficult to establish.

One strong body of opinion suggests that a dedicated Park belongs to the
people and will be used (or abused) by the people. For this reason it would
be necessary to make provision for use by the people by developing trails and
facilities. This philosophy -is based on the hope that the public will use

the developed areas of the Park in the manner intended. Another strong body
of opinion suggests that in order to preserve a natural area, it is necessary
to close off the area entirely to the public. This philosophy is based on’ the
fact that many times the developed areas of parks are misused and destroyed.

After considerable discussion, the sub-committee while recognizing the validity
of the above two philosophies feels that neither philosophy is totally applicable
to the City's particular Nature Area. The sub-committee therefore makes the
following preliminary recommendations for Council's consideration.

1. The Nature Area be developed to a very limited degree. This development
would consist of trail construction. It follows that there should be no
building construction, no tree cutting and no motorized vehicles permitted in
the Nature Area. In this regard, the present Parks Regulation By-law probably
adequately covers regulation against undesirable activities in the Nature Area.

2. The City’s Consultant Planner be directed to make a major study on the
peripheral area of the Nature Area as weil as the undeveloped areas adjacent
to the Nature Area and make recommendations to Council on the type of
development that would be most suitable consistent with the use of and
preservation of the Nature Area. .

The Finance Committee be directed to place in the 1974 Provisional Budget
provision for an employee or employees to provide surveillance and supervision
in the Nature Area, PoCo Trail and all other City Parka. '