I read with interest the letter by Jack Hull, former GM at the CRD, in the Goldstream Gazette, Low fire risk doesnB次元官网网址檛 warrant CRDB次元官网网址檚 billion-dollar solution.

I was privileged to ride on the first busload of guests touring the Sooke Lake Reservoir and the general immediate watershed areas under the CRD's management control in early June 2023.

If these water supply lands (partly fenced, and with locked gates) are B次元官网网址� the most intensely monitored and patrolled watershedsB次元官网网址� with excellent protocols to deal with any forest fire starts, and the reason is to protect a potentially vulnerable water supply for Greater Victoria/Sooke etc, why allow public access to the Leech water supply area B次元官网网址� limited or not?

This privilege to some, will not be respected and easily controlled in the future. Land users/interlopers have not yet learned the dangers of fire starts in forested or grassland areas B次元官网网址� smoking, lighting a small fire, using motorized vehicles/equipment, etc.

CRD management has yet to resolve the multi-year B次元官网网址渟ewage odourB次元官网网址� emanating from the plant at Atkins Road and Island Highway B次元官网网址� a strong smell was widespread as I drove through that zone. Residents must be sick and tired of this problem. Does this speak to CRD engineering expertise and forward planning? Taxpayers must think and hold their wallets on this one.

Hopefully readers/voters will put thumbs down to stop the billion-dollar water filtration plant, as the answer to stop any contamination of our areaB次元官网网址檚 drinking (all potable) water for households and businesses.

Keep visitors out of our valuable water source gift. We are blessed with good water. Respect it and conserve it.

Mark Vincent

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