MAILBOX

Many myths surrounding mudflats

Dear Editor:

{ am writing regarding the Dec.
6 column by Ms. Trendell-Whit-
taker. There appear to be a
number of errors in fact which
warrant correction.

The fat area above high water
in Maplewood is a result of land-
fill after the Second World War
and is not weiland. The only
wetland above high water in the
area is a freshwater marsh on the
District of North Vancouver lands
to the west. It is unfortunately
drying up as a result of Mount
Seymour Highway construction.

Another oft-repeated myth
about Maplewood Flats is the one

about ‘‘home o over 200 species
of birds.’’ The whole of Burrard
Inlet has less than 70 species regu-
larly seen, so this one area cannot
be home to 200.

A bird watcher’s lifetime list for
the area may approach 200
species, but the list would include
incidental sightings of one indi-
vidual which may not be repeated
for decades, if ever.

Another error in fact is the one
of the Vancouver Port Corpora-
tion’s ‘‘development of a deep-
water port. They went so far as to
dredge a basin.'’ This basin is 400
metres square, extremely shallow,
bounded by drying flats, and

. |
Recommendations to GVRD ,
on watershed are appropriate

Dear Editor: - :
Paul Hundal has obviously
Never’ spent time in the fall
during the heavy rains observ-
ing the natural erosion
prevalent in forested
ecosystems either ‘told growth”’
or ‘‘reforested.”” If Mr. Hun-
dal believes that erosion first
started when man began to
clear the forest he is ignorant.
Some hikers and naturalists
have this preconceived notion
that when they go for their
walks during those favorable
days of summer that all moun-
tainous creeks produce nothing
but the crystal clean water we
associate with forested lands.
The natural drying cycle in
late summer-early fall sets the
stage for natural crosion as
heavy rains ercde those soil
particles loosened up and ex-
posed to water’s natural power.
Mountainous creek channels
are always active; subtle
changes in their direction fros..
storm events resulted in sedi-
ment loading and deposition,
but most of all transport. Tur-
bidity is not an unnatural phe-
nomenon. It is a natural geo-

logical process.

There is no doubt that some
road construction can result in
significant initial sediment ex-
posure but this is temporary
and is stabilized if appropriate
maintenance is assured,

The recommendations to the
GVRD to re-examine the
management objective within
the watershed has been ap-
propriate. Water quality should
and must take all precedence.
the opportunity to preserve
ecologically distinct forests
within the bounds of the pro-
vincial ‘told growth strategy”
should also be incorporated
and should be encouraged,
especially on the steeper slopes.

This still leaves a lot of pro-
ductive land within the water-
sheds that can provide the basis
for a working forest with no
detriment to the main objec-
tive.

As to Mr. Hundal, {
recommend more time in the
woods and less time on the
typewriter.

Tom R. Cole
North Vancouver

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marked on the Canadian
Hydrographic Service chart (3483)
as ‘gravel extraction — depths ir-
regular.”’ Hardly a deep-water
port, particularly east of Second
Narrows (a 13.4 m limitation to
deep-water development).

While neither pivotal habitat
nor home to any rare or en-
dangered species, the flat area
does support a number of birds
not ordinarily seen on the North
Shore. It is, after all, flat
grassland and deciduous trees,
which are uncommon in an area
primarily consisting of conifers on
steep slopes.

It is for this reason the port is
currently talking with Environ-
ment Canada (Canadian Wildlife
Service) about best management
options for the area. This an-
nouncement was made a number
of months ago and it is a surprise
that neither the interviewer nor in-
terviewee was aware of it.

A.J. Jordan
Manager, Environmental Services
Vancouver Port Corporation

PAANTIPACTION ) | «

Sunday, January 19, 1992 - North Shere News - 7

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