- Target:
- Federal Environment Ministry, BC Parks Branch, Department of Fisheries and Oceans
- Region:
- Canada
- Website:
- www.savehalkett.com
Allowing the ARSBC to take over and exclude users from a marine park made for everyone is unacceptable. In more ways than one:
* The Islands Trust -- the watchdog of our coast -- specifically prohibits the creation of artificial reefs (Bylaw No. 17.3.4.2)
* Halkett Bay Marine Park was created in 1988. The area was set aside to protect its natural resources, according to the park's Master Plan.
The ARSBC says a sunken ex-navy warship won't impede traffic into the small bay. In fact, when concerned citizens checked a site drawing provided by the ARSBC, the Annapolis could be partially exposed at extreme low tides. Doesn't that sound like a hazard to navigation?
They say they're being open and talking to everyone about their proposal. In fact, they completely ignored a group of Halkett Bay residents until the residents accidentally heard about it third-hand. Then the dumpers held a so-called public consultation event in Vancouver after giving less than a week's notice (published in a newspaper over the Easter long weekend). At the meeting, diving supporters argued down anyone who asked a question or raised a concern.
They say Halkett is the only place the wreck can go. In fact, they're just running out of time because they already tried to get permission to sink it at Pasley Island and gave up when people there objected.
They say Halkett isn't very well used. In fact, they have no idea of how many people use the bay -- literally. They haven't done a study and so are just relying on their best guess of how traffic moves in Halkett Bay -- without asking the people who have been spending time there for years.
They say dumping a derelict ship in Halkett will improve the bay's marine life. In fact, Halkett Bay's marine life doesn't need "improving" -- anyone who has actually spent time there knows there's an abundance of shellfish, seals, birds, sea otters and other species.
They say they're dumping this ship to benefit the general public. In fact, their application includes a request that only commercial dive businesses will be able to tie up at the moorings that will sit in the mouth of the bay.
For more information, go to www.savehalkett.com
We, the undersigned, oppose the Artificial Reef Society of BC’s plan to dump the 374-foot long ship Annapolis in the entrance of Halkett Bay, Gambier Island.
The ARSBC has not demonstrated its plan will cause no harm or have no negative impacts on the Bay or its current users and, in fact, has not conducted a proper consultation process to reach those users and inform them of the potential impacts.
As well, the ARSBC plan would effectively convert the Bay into a single use driven by commercial concerns.
We ask the Provincial Parks Branch as well as the Federal Transportation and Environment Ministries to reject the ARSBC’s application.
Halkett Bay does not need to be improved by sinking a former warship in it.
You can further help this campaign by sponsoring it
The Save Halkett Bay petition to Federal Environment Ministry, BC Parks Branch, Department of Fisheries and Oceans was written by gary macdonald and is in the category Environment at GoPetition.