By Doreen Marion Gee

Blades of orange and red stretch over aqua waves. Boats rock in the wind. Gold light dances on the water to the rythmn of distant mountains. This is our beloved Victoria Harbour at daybreak. But what will it look like when the sun sets? Robert Evans wants to change this horizon. As Vice-President of Community Marine Concepts, he wants to build a marina complex for big yachts in Victoria Harbour that will be five times the size of the floating wharves in the Inner Harbour. The $20 million Victoria International Marina will span the Songhees foreshore between Ocean Pointe Hotel and Spinnakers. About fifty slips will house yachts up to 145 feet long and 21 feet high - some as permanent fixtures. Evans' vision is ambitious and innovative and will bring tourist dollars into our city. But judging by the public reaction so far, this may be a tough sell for Evans. As he steers his project towards the horizon, Evans is hitting stormy waters. He faces an ocean of public concerns about his project. Many people feel left out to sea. Some wonder about the fit with a small harbour known for its old - world beauty and ambience. It is time for a collective vision for our harbour to guide us all into shore.

Robert Evans is a personable and interesting man. He has worked at the CBC, given a speech at the White House and masterminded the fireworks at English Bay. He is a passionate advocate for his project: "This is a chance for people to learn more about the ocean we have here." He says that the project will provide a substantial boost to James Bay's economy. Since he bought sixteen Songhees acres in 1986, he has built parks, walkways, and streets and cleaned up Lime Bay. But a lot has changed in twenty years. In 1987, the Songhees Master Agreement outlined the development of the Songhees lands, which included a marina. But they could not have foreseen the thousands of residents living near the water, hundreds of kayakers enjoying the ocean every day and a very busy harbour. Plus, Evans' present concept is a much bigger and wider structure than the original plan.

There are two major players in this seaside yarn: Transport Canada and the B.C. Government. The marina has to be approved by Transport Canada to ensure that it minimizes any potential impact on navigation. However, the BC Government holds the final card because they own the large 6.5 acre Crown water lot integral to the marina. Evans owns two small water lots but needs that large one for his marina. His company has applied for "a license of occupation.”

Evans' website states that his marina project "has been welcomed by residents throughout Victoria" and boasts testimonials by people who support his marina. However, at the February 17, 2009 community meeting at City Hall, the majority of speakers were against the project. Evans' Open House on March 7 was the perfect venue for marina groupies, but they seemed in short supply. In fact, there was a large throng of about 200 people outside protesting the marina. Most of the people I talked to had reservations about this mega - project. Peter Kabel feels that the whole project is out of scale and that they should keep the natural area intact. People are also talking about losses to views and aesthetics. Calvin Sandborn walks along the Westsong Walkway every day and fears that "we will lose the most precious viewscapes in Canada" because of the wall of luxury yachts. Jo-Ann Youmans, President of the Vic west Community Association, says that the Vic West Association has opposed the marina since 1986 because it is "not the highest use of the land." She believes in the priceless value of the natural shoreline. As a regular kayaker, Stewart Foward worries about treacherous navigation and safety hazards. He believes that the marina will seriously restrict his passage along the coastline, and force him into a yacht and float plane danger zone. He feels that this violates the Navigable waters Protection Act by impeding one's ability to navigate the harbour.

Any full public consultation process has been absent. In a statement to the Beacon, Denise Savoie says "There has been a lack of opportunity for Victorians to speak to decision makers and be heard. "It has been difficult for people to navigate the layers of authority:" There has been no process for the public to have input in this major development and no one person to take the lead" says Youmans. In a letter that I received from Transport Canada's Public affairs Bureau, they state that "There is no requirement to have a public meeting. In the meantime, instead of responding to their concerns, Ottawa couriered Open House invitations to West Bay Marina residents - at taxpayers' expense.

Citizens want the information to be accurate. Lynne MacDonald, of the Songhees condos, says that this is "not a done deal" despite what is implied in marina promotions. And the facts concur: There has been no decision on the lease or from Transport Canada. In fact, John Baird from Transport Canada has agreed to meet with Demise Savoie due to public concerns. The BC Integrated Land Management Bureau, who are adjudicating the developer's lease application, continue to accept public feedback on the marina and will consider it in their final decision - which is still pending.

Community Marine Concepts is taking environmental stewardship on the marina and hired Chatwin Engineering limited to assess any potential impacts of the marina. However, Brian Emmett, a local scientist, did a review of the assessment for Denise Savoie and found that the assessment does not consider viewscape impacts or that the massive dredging will resuspend anoxic sediments, thus lowering oxygen levels and possibly endangering the fish. In a Times Colonist Letter, Richard Brunt says that an average yacht "produces 2200 pounds of carbon dioxide an hour."

Is a large marina the right fit for our quaint and picturesque harbour? Emmett says that the marina is "not an appropriate use of public space" and not suitable for a residential area. He feels that it is the wrong location for a marina of this size and scope. With global warming and the recession, we are going greener and spending smarter. The day of the diesel - spewing luxury yacht might well be over. In the long run, Robert Evans might find it much more profitable to build a smaller marine aquarium with eco-friendly tours and recreation. Whether it is keeping the natural picture or shifting the lens, at the end of the day we need a vision for our harbour where everybody wins. Contact Numbers: www.victoriainternationalmarina.ca, (Evans), doug.berry@gov.bc.ca (BC Lands ), mintc@tc.gc.ca (John Baird at Transport Canada ).