NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release 2010CD0014-000396 April 8, 2010

Ministry of Community and Rural Development

 

PROVINCE SUPPORTS CRD LAND PURCHASE

 

VICTORIA – The Province is contributing $2 million toward the Capital Regional District’s fundraising goal as it purchases land in the Juan de Fuca electoral area, Minister of Community and Rural Development Bill Bennett announced.

 

 “Even though this is private land, clearly south Islanders have a desire to see this become part of the public trust,” said Bennett. “Through this significant provincial contribution, we are boosting the CRD’s fundraising efforts, and I hope it encourages other individuals and organizations to contribute as well.”

 

The grant will go toward the CRD’s acquisition of lands in the Jordan River, Sooke Potholes and Weeks Lake areas. An agreement in principle between the land owner, Western Forest Products (WFP) and the CRD was signed last month. The agreement authorizes the CRD to acquire 2,350 hectares of land for recreation, conservation and watershed protection.

 

“This is great news, and we hope that the Province’s support will encourage other partners to come aboard,” said CRD board chair Geoff Young. “We are grateful for the efforts extended by our provincial partner in recognizing the value of these lands and the benefit of keeping them available for public use.”

 

“The CRD purchase, which we are proud to support, will see some land with high public value preserved, while placing WFP in a position where it is better able to maintain forest-sector jobs for Island workers and their families, ” said Ida Chong, MLA for Oak Bay-Gordon Head.

 

“We are adding to the collective effort to raise the money needed, in looking toward the best future use for this area,” said Murray Coell, MLA for Saanich North and the Islands. “I want to recognize everyone involved in the grassroots effort toward this purchase.”

 

The land includes over 3.5 kilometres of shoreline from Jordan River to Sandcut Beach, and significant future parkland adjacent to the Sooke Potholes.

 

-30-

Media Contact:

Public Affairs Bureau Ministry of Community and Rural Development 250 387-4089

For more information on government services or to subscribe to the Province’s news feeds using RSS, visit the Province’s website at www.gov.bc.ca.