An application that could open up 36 hectares of land across from Burns Bog in Delta has local conservationists concerned about possible impacts on the protected area.
Burns Bog is located near 72nd Avenue off Highway 91. In 2004, several levels of government bought 2,000 hectares of bog land and put them under conservation protection. However, 200 hectares owned by developer MK Delta Lands were not purchased.
Now, MK Delta Lands has submitted a community plan amendment application to change the 36 hectares east of Highway 91 so they can be used for "comprehensive mixed use development," said Delta city councillor Scott Hamilton.
Eliza Olson, president of the Burns Bog Conservation Society, said she is concerned that development could endanger jeopardize animal habitats and affect water flow to the bog.
"It's kind of like David Suzuki said: it's a giant body," she said. "You can cut of the arms and legs and still keep it alive, but if you start nibbling at the body, eventually it’s going to die."
Joanne Barnett with MK Delta Lands Group said the company intends to have a long public consultation process before any decision is made. The first open house is scheduled for next week.
"We don't know what's going to wind up happening," said Hamilton. "At the end of the day, it could very well be MK Delta Lands may decide not to proceed based on that input from the community, but unless we go through the process, we're never going to know."
With a report from CTV British Columbia's Maria Weisgarber.
