Issue: The GVRD Board of Directors will be asked to approve the following resolution when they meet this Friday, October 26,2007. "That the GVRD Board: a) Support an interim provincial Order in Council that would exempt amendments to Metro Vancouver's regional growth strategy from the ratification requirements of Part 25 of the Local Government Act, where such amendments: i) involve changes to regional land use designations within a specific municipality; ii) are supported by the affected municipality; iii) are supported by at least two-thirds of weighted Board votes in favour. b) Request the Ministry of Community Services to continue the dialogue with Metro Vancouver on a comprehensive review of the regional growth strategy amendment process described in the Local Government Act, with the intent that the proposed interim Order in Council be rescinded upon enactment of new legislation." What it means: If passed by the GVRD board and followed by an Order in Council by the Provincial Government, any of the 22 member communities in the GVRD will be able to apply to the GVRD Board to remove land designated "Green Zone" and designate it for some other use. An approval of only 66% of the GVRD board will be required to remove land from the "Green Zone" rather than the 100% currently required under Section 25 of the Local Government Act. In Maple Ridge this means that the six "starred" properties totalling 78 acres and including the 39 acre Jackson Farm could be redesignated as urban and developed for more housing within a few months. Additionally, this change in the amending formula will effectively remove the added level of protection from development that farmland in Maple Ridge has enjoyed for more than 10 years, since all ALR land in Maple Ridge was included in the Green Zone under the Liveable Region Strategic Plan (the GVRD's regional growth strategy). This change places all ALR land in Maple Ridge at risk for future development. This change is taking place without any public consultation or debate in the BC legislature! What you can do: Contact members of the GVRD Board of Directors by phone or e-mail. Click on the following link for the GVRD board members contact info: www.gvrd.bc.ca/board/directors-contact.asp Tell them that any change to the amending formula should only be considered within a full review of the of the Liveable Region Strategic Plan that would also include public consultation. Tell them we don't want to lose any more farmland from our community. Contact the premier and your MLA. Tell them that such a significant change to the intent and effect of the Local Government Act should be debated in the Legislature rather than be made by an Order in Council. Show up at the GVRD Board mtg. this Friday, Oct. 26, 9:00 AM at 2nd Floor Boardroom, 4330 Kingsway, Burnaby with a sign that says, "Leave the Green Zone Alone" Please contact me if you require any clarification or have questions about this issue. Regards, Stuart Pledge Ph: 604 462-9510 cell 604 817-9569 Christian Cowley, Executive Director CEED Centre Society Community Education on Environment & Development CanadaGrowSmart--pesticide alternatives education program www.cprmr.org Nature knows how to grow. 11739 223 Street, Maple Ridge, BC V2X 5X8 Tel: 604-463-2229 info@ceedcentre.org www.ceedcentre.org