Editor, The Record:

Re: Fill would be detrimental, Oct. 15 edition.

Although I understand Mr. Taylor’s apprehension regarding filling the land located at 31042 Silverdale Ave., I believe the needs of the land as well as Chester Creek are more than taken into consideration by the District of Mission and the Agricultural Land Reserve.

The Agricultural Land Commission takes this very seriously and will ensure the soil placed on this land is of the quality necessary to enhance farm practices; in fact, you should know it is the exact same fill placed on the neighbouring farms across the Lougheed Highway and this filling is going on presently.

I believe if Mr. Taylor had had an opportunity to read the resolution passed by the District of Mission as it pertains to our application to put fill on this agricultural land, he would have been aware the district is requiring a setback to Chester Creek, which is more than enough to protect this beautiful little creek.

Mr. Taylor stated it is the beavers that are causing the flooding, and I am sure that this is a contributing factor, however, beavers are also protected and not to be removed. Although the district does have a maintenance plan in place to clear the dam, it is sporadic at best and does not solve the flooding problem. We plan on installing a controlled drainage system to allow the beavers to continue what God created them for, and will never harm them in any way. We like our beavers!

So, Mr. Taylor, you do not want us to fill this land, and we can’t solve the beaver dam problem, so we are left with at least 30 per cent of this land that is continually flooded, and not able to sustain crops and allow farm equipment to work this portion of the farm.

Mr. Taylor makes mention of the quality of this land and that it was a destination for school groups.

We agree, and only want to make the land better than it presently is.

We also have plans to include local school children, and let them spend a day learning about farming, as well as the life and history of the beaver, being able to watch them first-hand. We believe this will be an opportunity that not many young children will have, and we are very happy to be able to provide it.

In the past we relinquished a portion of Illahae Dairy Farms to Mr. Taylor’s salmon enhancement area, and feel very strongly about salmon and creek preservation. In fact we were responsible for the clean-up of the bed of Silverdale Creek, as well as the banks after we gave that portion of the creek to the district.

We understand the concern for this land and share in the desire to preserve it.

Allison Whipple

Agent for Illahae Farms