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Good News on the fight to save Burns Bog
by Gwen Barlee •
Monday December 15, 2003 at 04:34 PM
gwen@wildernesscommittee.org
The Western Canada Wilderness Committee heaped praise on government leaders, BC Premier Gordon Campbell and Delta Mayor Lois Jackson, for their roles in offering to buy Burns Bog and turn it into a nature park.
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada – Western Canada Wilderness Committee heaped praise on government leaders, BC Premier Gordon Campbell and Delta Mayor Lois Jackson, for their roles in offering to buy Burns Bog to turn it into a nature park. Premier Campbell’s Liberal government, often criticized by environmental organizations, such as the Wilderness Committee, for rolling-back environmental legislation, announced December 11 that an offer had been made for the purchase of Burns Bog. The offer - more than $77 million - is to ensure that the bog, totaling 5,436 acres, is protected as a nature park. Under the proposal the BC government is kicking in the biggest share at $28.6 million, followed by the Federal government at $28 million, then the Greater Vancouver Regional District at $14.2 million with the city of Delta providing $7.9 million. Western Delta Lands (WDL), the private land owner, has been ordered by the courts to sell the Bog by the end of January 2004 in order to pay back mortgage holders $50 million, including the provincial government, which is the primary mortgage holder. “All the government leaders and bureaucrats who worked so hard to get this offer on the table deserve a great deal of praise. People will rejoice and remember their efforts for generations to come,” enthused Joe Foy, campaign director of the Western Canada Wilderness Committee. “Will the people of Greater Vancouver find a protected Burns Bog under their Christmas tree come Christmas morning?” mused Foy “Probably not. But with the continued high level of support (85% of citizens of Vancouver want the Bog protected according to the Burns Bog Conservation Society) and the support of leaders like Premier Campbell and Mayor Jackson it looks likely that the Bog will be protected early in 2004 – at least that’s my New Year’s prediction. We’ll see if it comes true! ” said Foy. Declaring the Burns Bog Conservation Society “Eco Heroes” for working tirelessly for almost two decades to preserve Burns Bog, Foy urged members of the public who donate to environmental groups to be extra generous to the Conservation Society this year. “They’ve done a great job on a shoestring budget and deserve every penny of support they can get to keep doing their good works,” said an appreciative Foy. For more info contact Joe Foy Office tel: (604) 683-8220 Cell tel (604) 880-2580 To speak to Eliza Olson, President, Burns Bog Conservation Society Tel: Tel: 604-572-0373 For more information on the unique ecological features of Burns Bog visit: http://www.burnsbog.org/
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