Dear Editor,
Re: “Invasive aquarium plants threaten Sturgeon Bank,” News, Sept. 29.
I have just come through a process with the staff, the mayor and councillors at Richmond City Hall that demonstrates how city hall should work and would like to share my experience with your readers.
I live in Mariner's Village on the West Dyke in Steveston where we have been dealing with the very serious issue of an invasive species called Brazilian elodea. We first detected the presence of this aquatic plant in March, 2014 and immediately brought it to the attention of both the city and provincial authorities. The province has a program for invasive species called Early Detection and Rapid Response designed to deal with precisely these situations — an isolated outbreak in a confined space — rapidly, thus keeping B.C. free from this invader. Washington and Oregon are both infested with elodea.
Unfortunately, the previous government let things slide and we found ourselves no further ahead on the “Rapid Response” after three years of early detection.
We took our story to the Richmond News , we met with our local MP, we pressed for a site visit by both Richmond and provincial staff and we met with several city councillors. Everyone gave us feedback and support. City staff prepared a report on the matter for the general purposes committee this past Monday. A group of 25 Mariner’s Village residents attended and spoke to mayor and council. After the formal discussion, we were invited to meet with city staff to answer any further questions.
We still need to get the NDP on board. But l'm hopeful our leaders will take quick action and that a longer-term plan will be in place early in the new year.
Chris Allnutt
Richmond
