Citizens and visitors of Squamish all gathered at the head of Howe Sound one day last March. What would bring the town out, en masse and impromptu, on a cold, rainy, windy day to stand together and share absolute joy? People of all descriptions came together to celebrate a lifetime event. Even MLA Jordan Study stood and expressed excitement.
We came together on March 15, 2014 to watch the energetic display of 200 dolphins and 15 orcas visit our area, previously contaminated by industrial pollution released into Howe Sound for the past 40 years.
Scientists and citizens alike commend the valuable volunteer efforts by local Squamish Streamkeepers for wrapping old creosote pilings so that herring can reproduce and provide a food source for larger marine animals.
The Squamish River Watershed Society has provided years of projects to enhance marine life on shores, in rivers and ocean. These important people all have lifetimes of experience, whether they have degrees, diplomas or just really good raingear and galoshes, they work for the good of all.
How many hours, days, months and years of research, dialogue, planning, management and labour by these highly respectable citizens has gone into the restoration work, which resulted in thefine display of environmental restoration success we witnessed last March?
Unless we all stand up now and ask that our governments recognize the importance of the environmental restoration success, we will remember March 15, 2014 as the one and only day the orcas came to Squamish. I would like to suggest all levels of government recognize the date of March 15 officially as Healthy Howe Sound Day.
It takes very little effort to write a letter to the BC Environmental Assessment office regarding the LNG plant before March 23 at www.eao.gov.bc.ca. Also, write to MLA Jordan Sturdy and MP John Weston to let them know we want Howe Sound protected. Tell them: “Yes to 650 species, including orcas, dolphins, herring, rockfish, crabs, prawns, jellies, starfish, tubeworms, limpets, snails and corals” and “No to LNG – one monstrous anomaly.”
Glenne Campbell
Squamish
