- Target:
- British Columbians
- Region:
- Canada
Dear Neighbors and Friends,
The Balfour Ferry Landing is a unique community focal point that fulfils many roles and functions including a community park, a tourism rest/play area, a gateway to the West Arm including Kaslo, Ainsworth and Nelson, a public beach, a community center, a business center, and more. The Balfour ferry landing has evolved into a much more than a simple Ministry of Transportation concern.
Currently the Ministry of Transport (MOT) and Western Pacific Marine (Ferry Corporation) are planning to move ferry septic treatment facilities onto the ferry landing. Further the ferry corporation has informed the ministry of their desire to move the old Atco trailer, housing the ferry corporation, onto the landing.
We have an opportunity to transform the Balfour Ferry Landing a beautiful, environmentally friendly showcase to be enjoyed by residents and tourists alike. The landing has the capacity to accommodate offices for the ferry corporation, and, perhaps, a small, properly designed septic system. It is short-sighted, however, to ignore the big picture. Issues such as aesthetics, environmental stewardship, economics, and other issues like parking, pedestrian walkways, beach development and more, should be properly addressed. At this juncture, public discourse and proper planning are necessary. Before the damage is done, we have the opportunity to do the right thing.
The purpose of this petition is to show support for the development of a comprehensive, collaborative plan for the ferry landing to address the many concerns, improvements and impacts of ferry landing development. These concerns cover community, economic development of the region, the environment, the aesthetic look of the landing, health and safety issues, tourism and tourist concerns, as well as ministry of transportation matters. We are asking, do we really want our ferry landing to become the septi-dump for the ferries? What are the environmental impacts? Is an Atco trailer appropriate on the ferry landing? What can we do better? The answers take time.
We believe that appropriate planning and budgets are essential to any further ferry landing development. We further believe that any planning for the ferry landing is a joint process that requires public input and approval.
We CAN make a difference. We CAN make the Balfour Ferry Landing a jewel in the Kootenay!
Balfour and Area Community Association
Currently the Ministry of Transport (MOT) and Western Pacific Marine (Ferry Corporation) are planning to move the ferry septic treatment facilities onto the ferry landing. Further, the Ferry Corporation has informed the Ministry of their desire to move the old Atco trailer, housing the ferry corporation, onto the landing.
We, the undersigned believe that the Balfour Ferry Landing is a community focal point that fulfils many roles and functions.
We, the undersigned, fundamentally oppose any further Balfour Ferry Landing development (including septic treatment facilities and moving the Atco trailer onto the landing) until a comprehensive development plan is put in place that addresses economic, environmental, aesthetic and community requirements.
We, the undersigned, believe that the Ferry Landing development plan and implementation of the plan is a collaborative process that requires public input and approval.
You can further help this campaign by sponsoring it
The Make Balfour Ferry Landing a Jewel in the Kootenay petition to British Columbians was written by Robin Goldsbury and is in the category City & Town Planning at GoPetition.