Cross posted from our friends down at VIMB.com
This has been in the works for literally years now, and most of you on the lower half of Vancouver Island already know, or have at least heard about it. Having said that, many of you probably don't know what is going on in the Sooke Hills, so here are some of the details.
A few years ago, the Capital Regional District (CDR) in conjunction with The Land Conservancy of British Columbia (TLC) worked out a deal with TimberWest to purchase 9,700 hectares of land in the Leech River watershed area of the Sooke Hills (CRD Map). This deal is a huge step for the CRD, for all of us really. According to the CRD website...
"This is one of the largest, most important land acquisitions in
recent BC history. The addition of the Leech River watershed, which can
be connected to the CRD’s water supply reservoirs, is a prudent
strategic acquisition that secures and protects our future water
source,” said Nils Jensen, Chair of the CRD Regional Water Supply
Commission. “While the Sooke Reservoir is expected to meet regional
water needs for at least the next 15 years, we have taken action that
provides a legacy for the future."
From the CRD website, see here for their full story...
In addition to this deal securing our access to clean fresh water for
the future, it will also allow for the creation of a Multi-Use park, a
park that is supposed to allow legal access to Mountain Bikers. As
mentioned above, there is good news and bad news.
More...