Editor: Wildlife was here first.
I am writing this letter in response to Patricia Tallman’s letter, ‘Wildlife kills continue in Willoughby,’ (The Times, Feb. 14).
I agree with her that the unacceptable carnage of wildlife on the roads in Willoughby is too much. Many of us have sent letters previously about the habitat destruction in Willoughby, and we are annoyed that council seems to ignore public consensus, and allow massive tracts of land to be stripped clean.
I cannot possibly see how this is an acceptable building practice
We all have a stake in the sustainability of our community environment, for example clean air, fresh water, schools community centres, but why aren’t sustainable land development practices being observed?
As far as many of us are concerned, the developers need to be held responsible for the loss of animal life in these large areas of development. They again and again go into a large tract of mixed deciduous property and strip it bare, and exterminate by direct or indirect means any wildlife, including birds, raccoons, deer and coyotes.
One obvious question is: When is Langley Township council going to stand up to these developers, and choose sustainable building or development practices? They must institute a few guidelines, such as leaving a percentage of the existing forest behind for wildlife.
Respect the fact that all our native species, animal or plant, need somewhere to live. Where are the displaced animals supposed to go, under your shed, in your attic, in the woodpile behind your house? Think about it. With these concerns not dealt with, I have to choose the side of the wildlife.
It honestly disgusts me that a civic government places more more weight on tax revenue than it does the environment. My question is, why is rapid growth of a community worth the destruction to the environment, as we have witnessed in Willoughby?
In my opinion, it is not worth the cost of wildlife deaths and environmental destruction, as we have seen in the past five years. Let’s see some positive change and respect for our environment.
Tony Bolivar,
Langley