50 - North Shore New's — Wednesday, November 22, 2000

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ENVIRONMENTAL
stewardship: the use of
these words invokes a
variety of different
definitions and emo-
tions in peoples

minds.

‘To some, environmental
stewardship means using the
land and resources in an
economic and sustainable

manner such as farming and
forestry.

To some it means pro-
tecting sensitive areas from
the impact of human intru-
sion, to others it means
recycling and pollution pre-
vention.

The Oxford Dictionary
describes stewardship os
“the responsible use of
resources,” and therefore
environmental! stewardship
denotes a measure of per-
senal and societal responsi-
bility to both the environ-
ment and to. each other.

How do we, as residents
of the North Shore, ensure
that our personal and cerpo-
rate responsibilities and val-
ues are properly reflected in
“stewarding” the land we
live on? °
_- How do we ensure that
the water in Gur streams is
clean enough, and in suffi-
cient quantities to support a
healthy fish population?

What is ovr.responsibility
in making our voices heard
when Canadian and interna-
ticnal fishermen catch those.

eae

fish for their own economic
and societal well being?

How do we ensure that
the air we breathe, or the
volume of garbage we dump
doesn’t contradict the ethi-
cal standards of which we
speak or teach our children?
When do we as taxpayers
and citizens of this province
interject Our opinion on the
lives of those who live in
forest-dependent communi-
ties while we cut dowa our
own trees to enhance the
view of the city?

The Deparcment of
Fisheries and Oceans recent-
ly conducted a public opin-
ion survey of 1,500 resi-
dents threughout B.C. and
Yukon on public awareness,
knowledge and attitudes.
The survey revealed that 71
per cent of the population in
the Lower Mainland felt cae
biggest environmental issuc
facing their community was
pollution, followed by habi-
tat destruction at 14 per
cent, and population growth
at seven per cent.

When asked about
salmon, 81 per cent felt
there were moderate num-
bers, or very few fish in their
local streams, and 68 per
cent felt those fish popula-
tions were cither declining
or in danger of dying out.

When asked about the
reasons for decline 57 per
cent stated pollution, and
46 per cent stated habitat
destruction. When asked
about community care te
protect fish and fish habitat,
52 per cent felt the effort
made within their local arca
was fair or poor and only 38
per cent stated it was good
or excellent.

Does this mean residents
of the Lower Mainland
don’t care? The same study
also asked whether people
were willing to pay higher
taxes to ensure habitat pro-
tection.

The issue quickly comes
into focus when the ques-
tion of taxes comes up. ‘The

A freigiiter pults in to port at Burrard Inlet to pick up its next load of goods for export. Tne Vancouver harbour
remains a busy place throughout the year. :

issue revolves around
whether or not these taxes
will actually “ensure” that
habitat will be protected.

Even with the track
record of government
spending, 63 per cent stated
that, depending on the size
of the increase, they would
be willing to pay higher
taxes, to ensure habitat was
protected.

This survey showed that
we are not happy with the
level of environmental stew-
ardship that is taking place
in the Lower Mainland. it
also showed we are willing
to have increased taxes if
there is a guarantee that
habitat will be protected.

—- Mel Kotyb R.P. Bio
Stewardship coordinator;
president, Association of
Professional Biologists of B.C.

ching the December 4th Canucks’ vs. Nashville

Ship shape

“The Morth Shore's Vacuum Experts”
We're.

imaking room for new stock

so we're having a —.-