A public rally will be held Saturday to protest the rezoning of the West Creek wetlands to allow for industrial development.

Third reading for the application to rezone from rural zone Ru-1 and rural golf course zone Ru-10 tocomprehensive development zone CD-185 is on the Township council agenda for the Monday, June 26 meeting but before then, opponents of the change are working to stop development.

The council is considering a proposal by the Beedie Group to develop about 40 per cent of the remaining portion of what is often known as the 鈥済olf course lands鈥� in the middle of the Gloucester Industrial Park in north Aldergrove.

After the Gloucester lands were removed from the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR), there were plans to turn a portion of the area into a golf course, which also would have preserved some green space, habitat, wetlands, and allowed for stormwater runoff.

But the golf course was never built, and parts of the former golf course lands have been developed over the years.

The application, if approved, would remove 36.79 acres (14.89 hectares) from the previous zonings and turn it into more industrial land. The remaining 55.13 acres (22.3 hectares would be protected environmentally sensitive areas, as well as expanded stormwater collection ponds.

鈥淪hould they decide in favour of this application, it will result in the destruction of a habitat which our beleaguered salmon rely upon to continue their renewable cycles,鈥� said Eddie Gardner, Wild Salmon Defenders Alliance president. 鈥淚t is also a valuable habitat for an abundance of wildlife.鈥�

The alliance along with the group West Creek Awareness have organized the protest Saturday at 11 a.m. at the Township Civic Facility, 20338 65th Ave. The organizers plan to announce steps they are taking to stop the development.

鈥淭his is being opposed by many citizens in the 91原创 and surrounding areas as preservation of wetland ecosystems are critical to mitigating harmful climate change impacts,鈥� said West Creek Awareness chair Lynn Perrin.

They expect a significant number of people to attend as part of the 鈥済roundswell鈥� of opposition to the Beedie Group application for rezoning because of its environmental impact.

A number of local residents spoke against the application at the public hearing June 12.

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鈥� READ MORE: Plan to rezone last undeveloped space in 91原创 industrial site draws opposition

鈥� READ MORE: Wetlands supporters ask Township council to nix development

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