Contact: Gordon O’Connor – 250 370 9930 ext. 26

Controversyover urban sprawl in the spectacular coastal forests West of Victoria has beenre-ignited by a proposal to rezone 7 parcels of land near Jordan River to builda 279 cabin resort and tourism facility.  Developer Ender Ilkay hasapplied for an exemption to the Official Community Plan and Zoning bylaws tobuild a settlement that would effectively raise the population of Jordan Riverby over 500%.  In 2008 and 2009 he made a similar proposal that was metwith enormous opposition from across the region.  

“The last time Ilkay tried to bulldoze our forests thousands of peoplecampaigned to stop him,” said Gordon O’Connor, Vancouver Island Campaigner withthe Dogwood Initiative.  “Its obvious that our community does not want tosee urban on the Wild Coast.”

The area in question was purchased by Ilkay after the Provincial Liberals privatized 23,000 Ha for forest land on Vancouver Island in 2007. Outraged community members from across BC successfully campaigned to have theCapital Regional District (CRD) purchase 10% of the effected area for park landand also to set minimum 120 Ha lot sizes to prevent urban sprawl.

“The past three years have seen an amazing number of people taking action toprotect our Wild Coast” said O’Connor.  “Vancouver Island has a proudhistory of environmental activism, I wonder if Ender Ilkay knows what he’sgetting himself into.”

All of the land being discussed is inside the traditional territory of theT-So’uke Nation who are currently in treaty negotiations with the FederalGovernment.  Consultation or remuneration to recognize their interest inthe area is not even being discussed.

On Tuesday September 21 at 7:00 PM the Juan de Fuca Land Use Committee willmeet in the Sooke Community Hall to receive the proposal for information andare expected to refer it out to community groups for comment.