Malahat Journal: First Post
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I am not part of the Malahat Nation, and am not of Aboriginal descent; but am passionate about sustaining this Mountain’s ecosystem and it’s future. I have lived at the top of the Malahat for 20 years; and am so thankful to have grown up in this tranquil forest. But since 2000, I’ve watched every logging venture and highway expansion from Mill Bay to Goldstream create disaster after disaster.
Dead and displaced wildlife are becoming a growing concern due to an increase in industrial development and poorly planned infrastructure. Minor rockslides have happened due to said development; waterfalls, streams and ecosystems have been disrupted, and continue to grow weaker as I write this. Gasoline, diesel, and casual pollution has caused thousands of salmon to die in the waters of Goldstream, and the ecosystems of Bamberton have also been seriously affected by development. The list of damages this mountain has received is very, very long.
I watched the forest I call home slowly deteriorate because of the industrialization and construction along the famous stretch of pavement hell that lies within it. I have seen too many displaced bears, cougars, and deer; and way, way too many century old trees be hauled out of the Mountain by truck.
We need to drastically change the way we are treating this Aboriginal mountain. The “improvements” and “additions” of the Malahat Drive are destroying a diverse and endangered ecosystem on an ancient mountain AND IT HAS TO STOP. The Coastal Douglas-fir Biogeoclimatic zone is the only area in Canada that holds Gary-Oak ecosystems, and many species in this zone are being threatened with extinction. Only 4% of it is under protected area status.
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[[[To The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastrcture of BC]]]
CONSTANTLY WIDENING A HIGHWAY WILL NOT SOLVE THE DAILY TRAFFIC BUILD UP. JUST VICTORIA HAS MORE THAN 10,000 PEOPLE PER SQUARE MILE- THAT NUMBER WILL CONTINUE TO GROW- AND SO WILL THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE IN OTHER COMMUNITIES. PLEASE STOP FUCKING THINGS UP- YOUR DESTROYING NATURE AND ALSO EMBARRASSING YOURSELVES.
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These websites/blogs are mainly dedicated to informing the community about the environmental crisis Malahat Mountain is in, and how our government ignores Aboriginal Title Rights, but will include traffic updates during the winter season. In my findings, research, and writing, I am persistent with the facts being correct; but if I happen to fail; please contact me so I can correct it!
