A Rocha BC Centre faces serious challenge
As some of you are aware, land use planning for the 600 acres surrounding A Rocha Canadaβs Brooksdale Environmental Centre has been ongoing in the city of Surrey since 2012. In February of 2022 the Metro Vancouver Board voted (narrowly) to approve Surreyβs plan to change the designation of this ecologically significant area from Rural Agricultural to Mixed Employment, literally paving the way for industrial uses. After 13 years of planning and advocacy by A Rocha for the plan to strengthen habitat, aquifer, river and species at risk protection; two months ago, we became aware that the City of Surrey plans to install its largest ever industrial truck parking complex (225+ trucks) immediately adjacent to the A Rocha BC Centre, beginning in summer 2025 under a Temporary Use Permit (TUP or 3-6 years) process which bypasses most environmental controls and contamination mitigation. Dozens of trees (150 year old firs) have been felled already. This type of use (industrial scale on permeable gravel) and footprint (12 acres) is contrary to recommendations of the Integrated Stormwater Management Plan (ISMP) for the area. The report highlights the sensitive, shallow and complex groundwater aquifer, how influential the aquifer is to the health of Little Campbell River/Tatalu, and recommends technology to capture and treat all contamination from industrial uses.Β
A Rocha BC Directors, David and Shauna Anderson, are working hard to engage Surrey councillors, who have not been receptive to meetings to date. They are engaging senior city staff to advocate for a more suitable location with less environmental impact. City owned Stokes Pit to the north is one such site. This would also alleviate the following impacts to the A Rocha Centre: noise, air, light and groundwater pollution. Official letters of concern or advocacy can be submitted once the TUP application opens, which has not occurred yet. But if you’re a Surrey resident and/or represent an organization that has concerns, we invite you to respectfully advocate for a more positive outcome for all involved (A Rocha, Surrey and the truck parking lobby). The former landowner of the Brooksdale Estate sold 20 acres to the city of Surrey (to facilitate the gift of the remaining property to A Rocha in 2016) with clear, mutual understanding that the city would engage A Rocha in future development planning, and develop in ways that recognized the heritage and conservation values of the property.Β No one wants a contaminated aquifer, a polluted river, or a long standing community charity compromised in our work of organic farming, ecological restoration and education programs with children and vulnerable populations.Β
There is a way forward for land use planning around the A Rocha Centre that provides employment, stewards conservation values, enhances A Rochaβs mission, and contributes positively to the cityβs goals and vision, but the current plan threatens most or all of these outcomes. Prior to the temporary permit process, please write the following relevant municipal councillors and city staff engaged in making decisions (and please cc or bcc A Rocha)
rob.stutt@surrey.ca, pardeep.kooner@surrey.ca, mike.bose@surrey.ca, mandeep.nagra@surrey.ca, linda.annis@surrey.ca, harry.bains@surrey.ca, ghepner@surrey.ca, doug.elford@surrey.ca, mayor@surrey.ca, clerks@surrey.ca, JBrar@surrey.ca, rgill@surrey.ca
cc or bcc: british.columbia@arocha.ca
If you want to be added to a list of A Rocha partners and community supporters who will receive regular updates and be informed to engage when the temporary permit process opens, please add your name to the link here.Β
And please pray for us as we engage the city – for wisdom to prevail, for good outcomes for all concerned, and for opportunities for growth and faithfulness even within the challenges before us.
