SaveSumas – Coalition Update
Here’s what happened at our AGM in February, 2018
March 7, 2018Team FV for MTB at BC 55+ Games in Kimberley BC
March 15, 2018Update from the Lead of the SaveSumas Team:
On Saturday March 10th the SaveSumas team consisting of representatives from the FVMBA, Run for Water, and Abbotsford Trail Running Club met on Sumas Mountain with one of the Ministry of Mining’s key decision makers on the quarry proposal. This decision maker spent 3 hours touring the mountain with our group, hearing our concerns and getting a first hand glimpse into how much of a drastic impact this quarry would have.
While there are no guarantees until a formal decision is made, our team left this meeting optimistic the decision will go in our favor. Some of the key pieces of feedback from the Ministry that give us reason for this optimism include:
- There was huge opposition from the community, trail users, local politicians, the City of Abbotsford, the FVRD, and Metro Vancouver. The Ministry of Mining heard our voices loud and clear – we were informed this issue has become one of the top priorities for the Minister of Mining and she is briefed on the status of the Sumas quarry proposal every month.
- There is significant, unified opposition to the project from local First Nations as well as complicated land title issues in this area with First Nations groups. Granting a new mining lease will complicate that picture even more.
- The Ministry has significant concerns for the safety of trail users and their concerns about safety related to quarry truck traffic on Taggart Road have not been addressed by the quarry proponent.
While this is all positive news and we are optimistic we will have a favorable outcome, no formal decision has been made, and it may be some time before a decision is final. We will update our FVMBA membership and the greater trail-using public with any further details as we here them.
So, hats off to you trail lovers – this is what can happen when we have one voice and all pull the collective rope for our sport and the trails. As noted, this isn’t over, but it is looking good. One of the best things that has come from this initiative for our trails is the new friends and partnerships we’re forging with other trail users. There is a general sentiment to work together again on a common-goal: long-standing peace for the trails on Sumas. Stay tuned for more on this in 2018.
Hats off to this group that took their Saturday to do the political heavy-lifting to ensure the trails are protected. Amazing work from amazing people. #youknowwhoyouare
Sumas Trail Day coming up too – let’s show those trails some love after a tough winter. They spent 4 months covered in snow and wondering if they were on death row. Your trail karma has never meant more!
1 Comment
Amazing! Thank you indeed to all that have worked so hard to front this fight for Sumas, we’ll done.
I absolutely cannot wait to get out there and soak up the beautiful magic ❤️
#peoplemakingchange #community