(NOTE -See Dave Polster's second letter to Mayor and Council at the bottom of this page) 

March 25, 2006

PLEASE PRESERVE ECHO HEIGHTS

Mayor and Council, 

As a citizen of North Cowichan I urge you to preserve the whole 52 acres of Echo Heights.

As you are well aware, North Cowichan is growing rapidly and our wild areas are becoming fewer and fewer. We are blessed by a wonderful climate and landscape that supports some very interesting ecological areas.  Echo Heights is one such area. Although most of this area was logged in the past, it is now well into the process of recovery and is starting to exhibit the characteristics of an older Coastal Douglas Fir forest.

These forests have been classed by the Province as rare and deserving of protection. Here we have a fine example and you should be working to preserve it for current and furture generations.  We can always have more houses, but we can not have more protected forest areas.
 
I would urge you to look at the Environmental Best Management Practices for Urban and Rural Development http://wlapwww.gov.bc.ca/wld/documents/bmp/urban_ebmp/urban_ebmp.html

 As one of the authors of this document, I have come to know the value of natural areas within our urban context.  You have the opportunity now to protect the Echo Heights area and therefore make a lasting contribution to the well being of Cowichan Valley residents and visitors.
 
Thank you for your consideration of this matter.  I look forward to hearing of the positive outcome of your deliberations.  Please do not hesitate to contact me should you require additional information on the Coastal Douglas-fir ecosystems or the ecological values associated with these ecosystems. 

Sincerely,
David F. Polster, M.Sc., R.P.Bio.
POLSTER ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES LTD, Duncan