December 21, 2006
Via Facsimile: (250) 387-0087
The Honourable Gordon Campbell
Premier of the Province of British Columbia
PO Box 9041 Stn. Prov. Govt.
Room 156 West Annex, Parliament Buildings
Victoria, BC V8W 9E1
Dear Premier Campbell:
Re: Protection of SPAET Cave on Skirt Mountain
I appeal to you and Cabinet directly, and most urgently, to stop the
destruction of SPAET Cave on Skirt Mountain near Victoria. It is imperative
that we act to protect this cave.
I share with many peers the view that protection of SPAET Cave ought to
transcend any private property rights. This small karst cavity has
considerable historical, cultural, aesthetic, scientific and educational
value to all British Columbians and aboriginal people. Arguments put forth
that it is worthless and can be destroyed are specious, to say the least.
The actions permitted by government that damaged SPAET Cave previously have
caught the attention of many people around the world. To those looking in on
us, we appear to be wholly uncommitted to protecting karst caves on private
land, even when they are of obvious natural and human value, unless they
show evidence of traditional use. It is downright ironic that it can be
resolved to protect any and all karst caves on Crown forest lands in BC by
means of a simple ministerial order, as in the case of the Haida Gwaii order
effective September 15, 2006, whereas we appear to be incapable of
protecting this very modest-sized karst cave on private land.
The interest shown abroad toward SPAET Cave was brought home to those of us
from BC who attended cave and karst conferences and other professional
gatherings this year in the US, Australia, Germany, Austria, Italy, France,
Spain, Switzerland, Italy, Slovenia, Hungary, and Croatia. In each of these
countries we discovered the ardent scrutiny by peers of the issues cited in
the media coverage generated right here in BC. To facilitate the ultimate
destruction of SPAET Cave through government inaction, indecisiveness or
delay will invite even greater close scrutiny worldwide, and could fetch
enormous shame for British Columbia. Before submitting SPAET Cave to the
developer, therefore, I urge you and Cabinet to consider all options to
protect the site.
SPAET Cave has been altered by actions of the developer and archeological
investigations authorized by government. These disturbances have desecrated
the cave to some extent, but by no means have they eradicated the heritage
value of the site. I re-examined the cave on December 6, 2006 at the request
of Chief Chris Tom of the Tsartlip First Nation. Actions up to that date had
altered the vegetative cover, soils and infiltration regime associated with
maintaining the natural karst processes at the cave. Minor alterations to
the inside of the cave attributable to archeological investigations
authorized by government were also noted. However, I found SPAET Cave
overall to be as structurally sound as it was when I first examined the cave
briefly on May 21, 2006. In my view, it remained as at December 6, 2006 a
worthy candidate for full restoration and protection.
A globally recognized principle of cave and karst protection, developed for
the IUCN with input from Canada no less, holds that notwithstanding the
non-renewable nature of many karst features, particularly within limestone
caves, good management demands that damaged features be restored as far as
is practicable.
SPAET Cave, apart from being a unique and unusual limestone cavity and hence
an important element of biological and geological diversity for the greater
Victoria region, holds particular spiritual, ceremonial and other cultural
value to aboriginal people, including the Songhees and Tsartlip. Minister
Michael de Jong and I heard firsthand on November 17, 2006 impassioned first
nation accounts of what this sacred cave means to aboriginal culture. I've
since witnessed numerous members of the Tsartlip community speak of SPAET
Cave with extraordinary emotion; these are people plainly distressed by the
desecration to date of their sacred cave and threats to destroy it
completely.
Ideally, government could enter into a formal agreement with a first nation
with respect to the conservation and protection of SPAET Cave. The site,
after all, represents an important aspect of the cultural heritage of first
nations. Given that the first nations interest in this cave is so well
established by them, it is of considerable importance that their interests
be reflected in the development of a protection strategy.
I am joined by many scientists and professionals with specific cave and
karst expertise who remain ready, willing and able to work towards restoring
and protecting SPAET Cave, and I am confident that with political will and
your leadership it will be possible to achieve that goal.
Once again, Premier, and Cabinet, please protect this cave site. I believe
this course of action is in the best interests of the people of British
Columbia.
If I can clarify or amplify on any aspect of this letter, please do not
hesitate to call me. Alternatively, I can travel to Victoria within a few
hours in order that we may discuss this matter in greater detail.
I ask respectfully that you reply at once to confirm receipt of this letter.
Please indicate in your initial reply when I might expect to receive notice
of your decisions in this matter. Thank you.
Sincerely,
ORIGINAL SIGNED
Paul Griffiths
Copies:
Members of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia
Chief Chris Tom, Tsartlip First Nation
Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, Union of BC Indian Chiefs
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