[news] UBC Proposes To Divert Storm Water Into Bathing Waters At Wreck Beach

[Press Release Media Service]

Media Advisory
For Immediate Release

From: Pacific Spirit Park Society and the Wreck Beach Preservation Society

UBC PROPOSES TO DIVERT STORM WATER INTO BATHING WATERS AT WRECK BEACH

Vancouver, BC -- July 26, 2005 -- UBC wants to sink a directional pipe into the waters behind the North Arm Breakwater for all South Campus storm water run-off and to divert waters from Trail 7 Creek and Botanical Garden Creeks into this pipe thereby drying up water for the lush vegetation beside those creeks and has scheduled an open mic public hearing for the community to amend the Official Community Plan for school, community centre, hight of seniors building, and designated traffic movements. Folks, however, may address any of their concerns regarding the South Campus development from detention ponds, tower heights, and stormwater management.

What:  South Campus Public Hearing
When:  Wednesday, July 27, 2005, 7 p.m.
Where: Room 216, Student Union Building (6138 Student Union Boulevard), UBC Campus. 

The Pacific Spirit Park Society (PSPS) and the Wreck Beach Preservation Society (WBPS) do not want UBC to dump its storm water into salmonid rearing and Wreck Beach bathing receiving waters. It is not good enough to say that water quality control will be up to the DFO not the GVRD or UBC.  Representatives of the Wreck Beach Preservation Society, Pacific Spirit Park Society, the public and students will be speaking.

"Water doesn't respect boundaries with respect to pollution flow," said Judy Williams, WBPS chair. "What happens below the surface effects the foreshore cliff face and beach," continued Williams.

-30-

For more information please contact:

Judy Williams - Chair, WBPS
Email: judyw at wreckbeach.org
Home Phone: 604-856-9598
Cell Phone: 604-308-6336 (cannot be reached if at home so try home number)

James Loewen - Media Relations, WBPS
Email: james3d at shaw.ca
Phone: 604-689-9697

Kim Siren - Director, PSPS
Email: siren1 at telus.net
Phone: 604-738-5233