by Allen B. Kind.

I live in the Ella Stream watershed on the slopes of Broom Hill, Sooke BC. Approximately 200 m East as the crow flies from Brailsford park blasting, where the vast amount of blasted rock is being used to fill the last reaches of Ella Stream. The damage has been visible on Google Earth from 2018 where the first cut across the ravine began moving upstream  to the ponded headwaters. Soon after that there was a large lot of trees felled  to the west of the ravine. I did not like what was going on with the blasting (terraforming) of a fully functional Riparian forest eco system with pools and streams flowing between the raw folds in the rock that is Broom Hill. It must be okay, because someone must be watching… Who??? 

The development  (Viewpoint Estates , 7044 Brailsford Sooke BC.) has already cut off a large downstream forest with the changed or destroyed watercourses and pools upstream and west of the ravine with future phases of this development. When I heard that a group of my neighbours were concerned about more hectares up for rezoning to sell to destruction,  I got involved, and started to research the development that was digesting the Broom Hill ecosystem with the stream and its ravine suffering the consequences. How could this be? That makes up a huge portion of this watershed (ESW 119 hectares) It was through this group that I learned of how extensive the destruction was going to be. Small lot residential!!!

As I found city maps that declare Ella Stream as a Riparian watercourse; The Sooke 2010 Official Community Plan and the updated Sooke OCP and a CRD Watershed map of Vancouver Island. One of the watersheds outlined is the Ella Stream watershed (118 h). I then found a full description of Ella Stream with all of it’s 9 reaches and headwaters in the Rainwater Management Plan by KWL consulting engineers 2012.  These documents all agree that the Ella Stream watershed is a unique riparian ecosystem that should be repaired and protected. The area was selectively logged in the 50s leaving parts of the forest undisturbed. It is some of these areas that are now being destroyed. How could this be??? These documents also include standards and protocol to proceed if you are within any riparian ecosystem. If these were followed, then there should be a plethora of reports by a qualified environmental professional. 

Following that, I have a general question regarding the developer’s renaming of a riparian watercourse on maps pertinent to the Development application process: from “Ella Stream” to “Ephemeral water course”;  this does not change the Riparian status of said watercourse. Yet it has  allowed the disregard of any setback required for a riparian Watercourse within the development.  I can see no other reason for such (inadvertent) wanton destruction of Nature but obfuscation and deflection for profit. These maps are in a covenant amendment between the developer (Viewpoint Estates) and the District of Sooke. July 2022 council minutes. I believe that these documents offer context to this oversight. “What are our options???”

With maps in hand, I went to look for Ella Streams’ upper reaches and Headwaters. Reaches 7 – 9.

I asked a viewpoint Estates representative where Ella Stream was hiding?  “No stream here”. Was his reply.

I have walked the site many times to see the changes and take pictures of what I have seen. Soon I will map all the pictures and videos, date, location, and direction. 

I think I know where she is. And I need your help to prove it to create transparency.

Come join me and participate in the discussion group “Ella Stream watershed” https://www.facebook.com/groups/752017700182818/  If you are not able to walk the site over Ella Stream in person, I would ask you to take the time to follow along with the many pictures and videos and read the pertinent documents posted. Please share what you have found with “Ella Stream Watershed”.

To make change we need to bring our voices together and speak. If you have an opinion or question about any posts made there, ask and I am sure the group will work to answer them. 

To see the damage, walk the site together, or watch videos and together ask the questions… “Who is looking out for Nature? Who is accountable?” 

I will be walking parts of the site weekly.  Wet, rocky steep terrain, boots and poles recommended. Other trails Easy and hard can happen on any day of the week, however, we can  only go onto the construction  site on Sunday. There is lots to see from different angles of the site.