March 22, 2019Box 107, Mansons Landing, B.C. V0P 1K0judewill@mail.ubc.caWebsite: judithmwilliams.com

To Whom It May Concern,

Re: The most recent application to conduct investigative drilling at the gravel deposit at Lloyd Creek, located on the mainland in Homfray Channel in Desolation Sound, B.C.

I strongly protest to any economic gravel extraction development within the Desolation Sound area, on the pursuant grounds:

I have been a resident of Desolation Sound and its environs for over 45 years. I helped to organize the Refuge Cove Landing and Housing Cooperative, building a log house in the area, all while investigating the treasures in my very own backyard. Extensive exploration of this stunning geographic jewel, from its ecology to its history, led to five books and a series of forty paintings, which were widely exhibited in Canada, including during a six-month art installation at The Museum of Anthropology at UBC, where I was a faculty member.

My book Clam Gardens: Aboriginal Mariculture On Canada’s West Coast details the unique mariculture practiced in the extensive rock gardens, built by the First Nations near the proposed gravel facility. I have discovered and reported to the provincial Archeology Office on the location of many Rock Art sites within Desolation Sound. I was also the chairman of the Desolation Sound Salmon Enhancement Society, working for ten years with DFO to restock Refuge Lagoon and Black Lake on West Redonda, in addition to improving salmon grounds at the Unwin Lakes within the Desolation Sound Marine Park at Teneodos Bay.

Furthermore, I actively protested the 2016 attempt by Lehigh Hanson Materials Ltd., to access the Lloyd Creek gravel.

To say that I am appalled to once again find government at any level entertaining applications to explore and build an extraction facility at the Lloyd Creek glacial gravel deposit is to grossly understate my concern.

1) The Lloyd Creek gravel deposit is adjacent to the world famous Desolation Sound Marine Park, a jewel in the provincial park system. The entire area is enormously popular with boaters, kayakers, climbers and campers.

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2) Flea Village, 2016, JW

The territory surrounding the glacial gravel deposit, running from Homfray Channel to Prideaux Haven, forms the interface between the Klahoose and Sliammon First Nations Bands’ territorial claims. The famous Flea Village site, discovered by Archibald Menzies in 1792, is located behind Roffey Island and within the park, just south of the gravel area. First drawn during Vancouver’s explorations, this is an important historical site for the First Nations people and early explorers, which needs to be protected.

“Flea Village” with Vancouver’s cutter and sailors. Roffey Island, Homfray Channel. Watercolour by William Alexander, 1792.

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3) Desolation Sound Salmon Enhancement Society data.

Lloyd Creek is a fish-bearing waterway. The gravel is prime spawning territory for a considerable way upstream. It is adjacent to the salmon runs at Forbes Bay and the Desolation Sound Salmon Enhancement Society, leading to augmented Chum runs into the Unwin Lakes. Once the largest Cutthroat run in the area, the Unwin Lakes are now being reestablished. Furthermore, Homfray Channel is a key salmon route to and from Toba Inlet and Brem River.

4) Rock Art is heavily present in the area. Directly opposite from Lloyd Creek Bay, on East Redonda Island, is the largest and best-preserved Klahoose/Sliammon pictograph gallery in the area. It features a stunning depiction of a man riding the legendary Sea Serpent of Homfray Channel. Damage to this unique rock art site, whether by vibration, dust or chemicals, would be contrary to regulations. For more info, you may access my relevant report at the B.C. Archeology Branch, Archaeology@gov.bc.ca

5) The timber on and around the gravel deposit of Lloyd Creek is the largest old growth timber site in the area. See DIEM map online: WWW.Diemproject.org

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It is remarkable to me that any responsible government would entertain an application to construct a large, noisy, dusty, and disruptive industrial site within such an ecologically and culturally significant area. Of further importance, the tourism income also supports the Refuge Cove, Cortes Island’s Squirrel Cove, and Gorge Marina stores.

I strongly urge you to act responsibly and dismiss this and any other attempt to exploit an economically valuable and naturally beautiful site in British Columbia. Its current value is both significant and suitable in its present incarnation.

Judith M. Williams, Assistant Professor Emeritus, UBC

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