In several of my previous letters, I have tried to point out that the future of Squamish is a multifaceted recreation destination, not a handful of local jobs at the liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility.
The New York Times of Sunday, Jan. 11 listed 52 places to go in 2015 worldwide. There were the usual Milan, Philadelphia, Yellowstone National Park, Singapore, Durban, Orlando, Zimbabwe, Burgundy, Steamboat springs, Oman, Sri Lanka, and at number 32, Squamish, B.C.
Squamish was described as a “mountain town” that is “now more than a stopover.” The review stated, “Squamish has long been a pit stop for the 9.5 million travelers who go to Whistler ski resort each year. But last spring, the new Sea to Sky Gondola began shuttling passengers nearly 3,000 feet from sea level to a perch in the surrounding Coast [sic] Mountains. Already, nearly a half-million people have made the ascent. Many are sticking around after the ride down, drawn by an unusual combination of West Coast wilderness and accessibility. Hundreds of trails weave through Pacific rain forest to glacial lakes, waterfalls and peaks. Kiteboarders ply a 26-mile fjord, adventurers climb 2,300-foot Stawamus Chief, and birders gather for the annual return of thousands of bald eagles.”
Being named 32nd out of 52 worldwide locations described by one of the world’s top-drawer newspapers, the NY Times, is a mark of serious recognition, very heady stuff.
How can the Squamish council monetize the recognition of Squamish recreation potential that is building for this area?
Start a recruitment campaign to lure entrepreneurial companies that have staff that want what Squamish has, one of the premier outdoor capitals of North America. Silicon Valley would be a good place to start.
In previous letters I outlined that the problem is having LNG tankers plying our waters. If you have not yet done so, please read the second report of Sandia National Laboratories, Independent Risk Assessment of the Proposed Cabrillo Port LNG Deepwater Port Project off the coast of Malibu, California. Studies were done by the Sandia Labs in the USA, and its second report, published in 2006, indicates the worst case in which a flammable LNG vapor cloud extended about 11 kilometres downwind. (See page 24, table 5 of the report, found at www.bape.gouv.qc.ca/sections/mandats/Rabaska/documents/DC36.pdf).
A breached tanker could touch any part of Howe Sound depending on wind direction, which is why Lions Bay and West Vancouver councils are on record as opposing these vessels.
Pristine wilderness destinations and potential firestorms are not compatible.
Gordon Homer
Furry Creek, B.C.
