Access to the incredible run, named for the man who
LOVED that very special place,
General Noel Money, is in jeopardy.
Haig-Brown furthered the renown of that awesome place, and it has, and does, draw anglers from all over the world to experience the Magic the Stamp can be.
In a disturbing development, the fellow who now owns the property through which access is gained, has decided to exercise his right to build a home overlooking the run, one of the more picturesque on the Stamp. No fault to this Gentleman, if I owned it, I certainly would enjoy looking out over that stunning vista over my morning’s cup of java. And while he is of course entirely entitled to doing just that, access right through the middle of his yard would be severely curtailed.
The hosts of anglers who have enjoyed this special section of river come from far and wide. Many from outside the continental Canada/USA, and the name Money’s Pool is recognizable internationally as a consequence. The benefits and enjoyment to anglers plying this famous flow are obvious, and many feel a special link not just with the River, but with historic mentors of the past who enjoyed the same. The local, and oft suffering economy realizes great influxes directly due to those desiring to view and ply this famous run, in the form of food, accommodations, car rentals, fuel sales and gear sales. An even more beneficial aspect is the increased revenue generated by license sales, which goes partially to the "
Freshwater Fisheries Society" to continue their work, especially with the concern over the declining number of license sales over the last few years. All of this may soon be lost to us, and the future generations of anglers following in our footsteps.
More and more, access to the best water for angling is becoming restricted. In my short decade here, I’ve had the misfortune to witness access point after access point forever lost. In many of these situations, bad actors are to blame, landowners simply become frustrated with the shoddy behavior of the few, and deny access to all in order to escape the related problems. In the past, my answer has always been to run, to try and find The Place where fences and rules are minimized. Sadly, that Place no longer exists, I have nowhere left to run and I find myself watching that which I hold most dear being slowly and surely stripped away.
While I am certain there are more than a few boat guides who would be pleased if the property development goes ahead and there is no bank fishing on Money's, leaving them to a private playground which was once a signifigant part of our angling heritage, I sincerely hope this doesn’t come to pass. The loss of another
Sportsfishing Icon, yet another nail in the coffin.
The Landowner has informed concerned anglers and the folks in Government that he is willing to reconsider. What he is looking for in exchange is fair market value for the property, however that price tag is high. The current property assessment comes in well over $ 300K, however he has generously suggested he would be willing to accept that amount as compensation, and look for another riverside vista on which to build his home. That type of funding is very difficult to raise, even with the level of fame Money’s Pool enjoys.
As for where we go from here, I simply don’t know…
I would like to suggest that those who might be concerned please contact the following to express your views/concerns regarding this matter:
The City of Port Alberni (4850 Argyle Street, Port Alberni, BC V9Y 1V8, Fax # (250) 723 1003, E-mail:
citypa@city.port-alberni.bc.ca );
The Alberni Valley Chamber of Commerce (2533 Port Alberni Hwy, Port Alberni, BC V9Y 8P2, Fax # (250) 724 6560 E-mail:
avcoc@alberni.net );
The Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District (3008 5th Ave, Port Alberni, BC V9Y 2E3, Fax # (250) 723 1327, Email:
mailbox@acrd.bc.ca )
The Pacific Rim Tourism Association (3100 Kingsway, Port Alberni, BC V9Y 3B1, Email:
info@pacificrimtourism.ca )
Perhaps the best possible solution might be to have the area purchased and protected via the BC Provincial Parks portfolio.
The Minister of Environment, Hon. Barry Penner, is the man who oversees that portfolio (PO Box 9047 Stn Prov Govt, Victoria, BC V8W 9E2 Fax #: 250 387-1356, E-mail:
WLAP.Minister@gov.bc.ca ) and the main office for the
Ministry of Environment contacts: (PO Box 9339 Stn Prov Govt, Victoria BC V8W 9M1, Fax #: 250 387-5669, E-mail:
www.wlapmail@gov.bc.ca ) This is most likely a long-shot, as it seems the provincial government has a lot more on it’s mind these days than dealing with matters of import to it’s citizens, but entirely worth a letter or two…
By informing these organizations of our collective concern, it might buy enough time to allow the necessary purchase capitol to be raised, and thus prevent the loss of this famous run to our Angling Community’s future. As in all such things, the more folks that express their concern and opinion in this regard, the more attention the matter will be given. If desired, I will attempt to draw up a generic letter of concern that folks here can use as a template.
I realize that I have called upon you folks many times in the past to help with this or that cause, and to those that helped, I want you to know just how much that is
appreciated! Unfortunately, I find myself
imploring you once again to step up to bat, to let your feelings be known, and to try and make a difference. It takes but a few moments of your day to do so, and I hope that each and every one of us strongly considers doing so. Collectively we
CAN make a difference! It would be a
MIGHTY SHAME were we to lose access to this beautiful, historic and productive run!
Sadly,
Nog
PS: I welcome any and all other thoughts/recommendations regarding how to attempt to deal with this matter!!!
Regards, Matt Stabler
Author
Topic: Access to Money's Pool Jeopardized!!! (Read 5376 times)