Pitt Polder Preservation Society

Protecting British Columbia's Foodlands

A view of the pumpkin patch along the Laity dyke in Maple Ridge
Brayden Laity, grandson of the Laity family

Why Protect BC's Foodlands

Farmlands provide food security for a rapidly growing population. Global warming and unpredictable weather events and the need to cut carbon emissions will make it necessary to grow our food locally.

Produce provided close to home is fresher and healthier than produce shipped thousands of miles to the consumer.

Farmland in British Columbia is shrinking at an alarming rate. We need to draw a firm line in the sand to protect what little agricultural land we have left. The Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR) represents only 5% of B.C.'s total land base. Three critical agricultural areas, the Fraser Valley, Vancouver Island and the Okanagan Valley make up less than 10% of the ALR or .05% of the provincial land base. These areas alone generate approximately $1.8 billion or 80% of provincial farm gate sales from more than 200 commodities. (ALR Watch, B.C.) In Maple Ridge, agricultural production is worth $39 million dollars annually. Despite the economic importance of these agricultural areas, these foodlands are under intense pressure for urban development.

Farmland also provides green space, beauty and homes for wildlife.

Farmland provides recreational amenities to Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows. Almost all of the green space in Maple Ridge is within the Agricultural Land Reserve. If we pave our farmland, we destroy the livability of these communities.

Protecting farmland means less urban sprawl and more livable communities. If developers could no longer look to the ALR for cheap land, they would have little option but to develop the town core rather than sprawling into the suburbs as in the past. In a Smart Growth survey, Maple Ridge scored dead last in the urban sprawl index.

Farmland in BC is disappearing at an alarming rate. In the five year period ending in March 2005, over 71% of all applications to remove land from the ALR were approved by the Agricultural Land Commission. Maple Ridge Council has been deluged with applications to remove land from the ALR because of a compliant Agricultural Land Commission and a pro-development council. The present mayor of Maple Ridge has stated that farmland will inevitably disappear as "better" uses for the land arise. Maple Ridge council continues to push for an industrial zone on ALR land.

David Suzuki stated in a 2007 visit to The Act in Maple Ridge that it is simply intolerable to pave over farmland.

Actions of the Pitt Polder Preservation Society to Protect Farmland

Since 1996, the Pitt Polder Preservation Society has been vocal in standing up for farmland, particularly in Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows. We have spoken out at public hearings, appeared before both councils, attended Official Community Plan workshops, and gathered petitions. Recently we have increasing attempts by Maple Ridge Council to dissuade us from asking questions and directing comments to Council.

Don't it always seem to go,
That you don't know what you've got
'Til it's gone
They paved paradise
And put up a parking lot.
- Joni Mitchell

Laity Farm Rally and Press conference

In the spring of 2006, public statements by Maple Ridge Mayor and councilors plus information from farmers indicated that plans were underway for a proposal to alienate 300 acres of prime farmland in the area bordered by 128th Avenue and 203rd Street for an industrial zone. Local realtors had approached farmers, encouraging them to sign up to remove their agricultural land from the ALR. Many of these properties were owned by speculators eager to earn windfall profits by a change in zoning from ALR land to industrial land. This proposed industrial zone is situated along the Abernethy Connector in the area of the Laity Pumpkin patch, the heronry and Jerry Sulina Park, a scenic tourist and recreation area. In the fall, thousands of kids and parents travel from all over the Lower Mainland to visit the Laity Pumpkin patch.

The Pitt Polder Preservation Society circulated a petition and quickly collected a large number of signatures. The thought that the scenic beauty and rural character of this area would be destroyed and replaced by ugly industrial buildings, commercial buildings and parking lots seemed beyond belief for most residents.

In June of 2006, the PPPS organized a rally and press conference at the historic Hampton Farm and the Laity Pumpkin Patch to protest the proposal to pave over 'paradise.' More than a hundred parents, children, seniors and activists rallied to show their support of farmland.

In response to vocal opposition and wide media coverage by radio, TV and newspapers, Council reversed their position on many previous exclusion applications and voted not to have the agricultural applications proceed to the Agricultural Land Commission. However, in 2007, the majority of Maple Ridge Council is still pushing for an industrial zone on agricultural land, and their preferred option is along the Abernethy Connector.

Formosa Farm and Nursery

In the summer of 2006, the Pitt Polder Preservation Society joined with Formosa Farm and Nursery and local MLA Michael Sather in an attempt to divert a connector road that would transect the farm into two parts, seriously compromising the production of this organic blueberry farm and nursery. The original connector road was planned to run just south of the Wu's farm. However, in early 2006, Translink advised the Wu family that the alignment of the road had been changed and instead it would cut across their farm, dividing it into two parts. The Wus were not opposed to the road being built across the south end of their property. However, Translink and the councils of Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows were unwilling to move the road one hundred feet to the south to accommodate the Wus wishes. Not only was the PPPS concerned about the cavalier attitudes of the two councils, but the arrogant disregard by all levels of governments for agricultural land and the family farm.

In the fall of 2006, the Pitt Polder Preservation Society painted up a number of large signs, contacted local farmers and sympathizers, as well as media, and organized a rally and press conference at Formosa Farm. More than 130 people attended the rally, including local MLA Michael Sather, Agricultural Critic Corky Evans, former Premier of B.C. Bill Vanderzalm, and representatives from the Green Party, Western Canada Wilderness Committee, supporters from the Taiwanese community,local farmers and environmental groups, and a large contingent from both the Chinese and English media.

In October, the PPPS continued to pressure Translink to move the road further south by organizing another rally at Translink's office in Burnaby. A month later, the Pitt Polder Preservation Society made several presentations to the Translink Board in Surrey City hall at a public forum. Our members, along with other supporters, hoped to persuade Translink to do the right thing and move the road to save the blueberry farm. However, in January of 2007, the Wus were told that no changes would be made to accomodate the operation of the farm. At this time, we learned of tentative plans to build a second connector road through the north of the Wu's farm.

What You Can Do to Help Save Farmland

Attend Council meetings and voice your concerns or write a letter to Council or to the editor of your local newspapers. For more information log onto our website www.pittpolder.com and follow the links to the "Municipality of Maple Ridge" for the Council agenda. This agenda is posted on the Friday before Tuesday council meetings. Otherwise, watch the local papers -- The Maple Ridge Pitt Meadows Times or The News for announcements, phone the municipality, or call Diana Williams at the Society at 604-465-8038. Together we can save our farmland for future generations!

The Polder Society Opposes Marina Development in Pitt Meadows

In 2005 the marina on Reichenbach Road in Pitt Meadows was purchased by Nelson Skalbania. With the purchase of the land, Mr. Skalbania requested a zoning change from commercial to recreational commercial which would have allowed him to build a large scale RV Park, hotel, restaurants, cabins and a larger marina. The Pitt Polder Preservation Society opposed this rezoning for many reasons. First, a development of this size and scope would negatively impact the surrounding agricultural land. It would compromise fish and wildlife in the area, and a sewage disposal into the river could present a risk to public health. Furthermore, the rezoning could set a precedent for similar developments along the river. A public hearing was held in April, 2006. Unfortunately, Pitt Meadows council voted 4 to 3 for a zoning change. Subsequently Mr. Skalbania sold the property to Northland Properties Corporation in December, 2006. To date there have been no further applications to develop the property.

Campaign to Save BC's Public Parks

In August of 2006, the provincial government announced a public plan to build "fixed roof" accomodation in provincail parks. Golden Ears Park was designated for development. The proposal could include access by helicopter, a lodge and high-end tourist attractions. Local MLA Michael Sather immediately sounded the alarm. At the same time, a coalition of conservationists, including the Pitt Polder Preservation Society, publicly opposed the for-profit accomodations. The PPPS wrote letters to local newspapers and the government and attended the rally held by MLA Michael Sather at the entrance to Golden Ears Park. In response to this strong and vocal opposition, development in Golden Ears Park has not occured.