It is claimed that the proposed expansion at Beachcomber Marina will have minimal impact on the community, environment and to local residents. I beg to differ.
Apart from the noise, dust and additional traffic, the proposed addition to the seawall will obstruct the neighbours’ views across the bay and to the mountains beyond. Although the proposal claims that boats might be a preferable option, many of those affected will not agree.
The environmental concerns are, however, even more significant. Critically, the proposed extension to the sea wall will not only impact the reef below, currently teeming with marine life. The experience of other similar constructions demonstrates that the sea wall, if built, will undoubtedly divert the water flow that currently washes sediment, essential to the ongoing growth, to the nearby bed of eel grass. The loss in ecological and environmental terms cannot be underestimated.
Eel grass is now widely recognized as a crucial factor in combatting climate change. It is understood that an acre of healthy eel grass will sequester as much carbon from the atmosphere as 40 acres of forest. As the clock ticks to midnight, the threat to this significant bed of eelgrass solely to promote a private and commercial business interest seems utterly unacceptable.
Jill Davies
Nanoose Bay