The Islands Trust council held three days of meetings at Cates Hill Chapel on Bowen this week, from Sept. 11-13, meetings that included a town hall. Chair of the council, Sheila Malcolmson, a trustee from Gabriola, said the group accomplished a number of initiatives.
"We adopted new administrative policies, received a number of briefings on planning issues, for example encouraging local agriculture, and Riparian Area protections for fish habitat," Malcolmson said. She said "all of these are on issues affecting all 465 islands in the Trust Area" but noted that they're not local zoning issues, which are in the jurisdiction on Bowen by local committees or BIM. Malcolmson added that council also adopted a strategic plan for the 2012-2014 term.
The town hall meeting was on Wednesday and, while intended for the public, there were only about 15 islanders there, including councillors Cro Lucas and Alison Morse (councillors Wolfgang Duntz and Andrew Stone are members of the trust as Bowen's municipal trustees).
The town hall gave islanders and residents of other islands in the Trust a chance to voice concerns on issues. Locals who spoke to council found they were either preaching to converted ears or that council was not able to help their cause because it was not a part of their jurisdiction.
Jayeson Hendyrsan of Citizens for Safe Technology talked about smart meters being installed on Bowen and across the province. He asked council to support their opposition to the meters, citing safety concerns, especially for kids, seniors and pets. Malcolmson noted she herself, on behalf of council, has written B.C. Hydro and the ministry of energy detailed letters asking for, among other things, a moratorium on their installation. Those letters are viewable on the Islands Trust website.
Mike Lightbody, president of the Snug Point Property Owners Association (SPPOA) addressed council on derelict vessels and live-aboards in Deep Bay. Similar issues are present on other islands and Malcolmson told Lightbody that the Islands Trust is advocating on the issue of derelict vessels. She said a federal minister had assured them the problem would be solved by December of 2010 but it hasn't and consequently the trust is "still pushing" for a solution.
Noted Bowen environmentalist, Will Husby presented to council concerns on the size of private moorages the CRC developers have applied to place in the waters near the lighthouse and beach. He said the docks are "way bigger than what this island is used to, and way bigger than islands in the trust area have seen before." Malcolmson said, while sympathetic, council cannot act as it does not fall within their jurisdiction.
And finally, former Bowen mayor Lisa Barrett presented council with information on a Canada-wide movement that seeks to establish a federal ministry of peace. The Islands Trust council meets every three months and the next meeting is on Saltspring in December.
