Published: November 24, 2008 6:00 PM
Updated: November 25, 2008 2:56 PM
Revelstoke Times Review
People who live in rural areas love and understand the wilderness areas that surround our homes and communities. We work and play in the mountains and forests. This land is publicly owned, and must continue to be publicly accessible.
You have told me in no uncertain terms that you are deeply concerned about the Campbell Liberal government’s give away of our public lands.
Last spring, the Campbell Liberals introduced a piece of legislation called the Resource Road Act, an act that would severely restrict our access to backcountry roads. This is just one of many attempts this government has made to change the way we live.
Roads in the backcountry have been built with public money and are on public land. The proposed legislation could create road closures or gates where none existed before.
The numerous private power river-diversion projects planned for our area have also been met with deep concern. Hundreds of concerned residents have gathered in Kimberley, Revelstoke, Invermere, Field and Golden to protest the imposition of these projects on our rivers and creeks. People are concerned about the loss of our right to move around in our backcountry. They are also angered by the government’s actions that have removed local people from having any say on these developments.
Our backcountry is public land which we share. There are many interests that covet this public wealth and this government has consistently compromised the public interest to benefit a select few.
Public vigilance is the key. We must stand up against any government action that takes away the things we value. The people of the Kootenays have always spoken out strongly when those in Victoria make decisions that negatively affect us, and I encourage each of you to make sure the Premier knows what you think about retaining access to our public lands.
Send the Premier an email at premier@gov.bc.ca with a C.C. to Norm.Macdonald.MLA@leg.bc.ca or call my office at 1 (866) 870-4188 for other contact information.
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Norm Macdonald is the MLA for the riding of Columbia River-Revelstoke.