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Protests considered to save Linley Valley

NANAIMO – Members of Save Linley Valley West will host a public meeting this week to help organize protests to stop development

Residents fighting to save Linley Valley West are considering civil disobedience to halt development.

The advocacy group, Save Linley Valley West, is holding a public information meeting Wednesday (Sept. 18), where residents will be asked to join protests to help preserve more than 100 hectares of wildlife habitat.

Save Linley Valley member Joanne Jonas-McRae said development has begun at the site for a new 353-unit subdivision, raising concerns about further damage to the sensitive ecosystem.

“We knew [development at the area’s seasonal pond] might happen, but to see it ... it’s just so upsetting,” Jonas-McRae said.

“We will fight it till the end. We’ll go as far as we can.”

The Save the Linley Valley West group started in 2011 and has collected more than 6,000 signatures in support of protecting the area as a nature park. Advocates have approached the City of Nanaimo to purchase the land, but politicians said they weren’t convinced taxpayers were prepared to pay the cost.

The city has pledged to acquire public access and trails at the site.

Save the Linley Valley West will hosts its public session at 7 p.m. Sept. 18 at Departure Bay’s Kin Hut.