The SCCA has been working with the Friends of Gospel Rock Society to protect ecologically rare and sensitive lands in the Gospel Rock Neighbourhood area since 2004. In 2018, the SCCA partnered with The Land Conservancy of BC (TLC) to negotiate a conservation covenant with the Gospel Rock property owner, to forever protect the ecologically sensitive and waterfront lands on Block 7.Â
However, in 2019, covenant negotiations with the property Owner stalled when the Town of Gibsons attempted to secure from the Owner a multi-use trail through the most ecologically sensitive forests on Block 7. Development of the trail would drastically degrade the fragile ecosystem on this parcel. Neither the SCCA nor the TLC could agree with the town’s request to develop it. We expressed our concerns to the Town for many months to no effect, as development approvals advanced.
In September 2020 the SCCA appealed to Gibsons Mayor and Council to step in, to resolve the issue and ensure protection of the land. And they did. On October 6th, 2020, at a lively meeting, Gibsons Council directed town staff to abandon the destructive trail and work with the SCCA and TLC to secure the conservation covenant.
In early November the Block 7 Owner, TLC and SCCA received a revised trail plan form the Town. The SCCA and TLC are now reviewing the final draft of the agreement and we expect to have this protective covenant in place by the end of the year.Â
Please stay tuned for an update on this long awaited protection of the remaining forests on Gospel Rock!
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