Land removal from ALR a troubling trend

Re: Council set to approve TWU expansion plan, Feb. 13

The Township of Langley recently decided to support the removal of land from the ALR ( agricultural land reserve) for housing developments near Trinity Western University.

Municipalities like Langley are under great pressure to support these kinds of projects because they help pay for road, water and sewer improvements. However, these decisions will affect future generations living in our township, as well as Metro Vancouver.

Langley deserves great respect for the important role it will play in feeding the citizens of Metro Vancouver. It is the breadbasket of the Lower Mainland.

The Metro Vancouver Regional Growth Strategy, developed last summer, is in place to recognize this and should be followed.

Every time decisions go in favour of removing land from the ALR, it gets harder to say no when other underutilized agricultural properties come up for similar consideration.

Spot zoning, as this proposal is, on property far from municipal amenities and services is precedent- setting.

In addition, this development, upstream on the Salmon River, will exacerbate flooding problems on farmland in Fort Langley.

Throughout the world, there is a growing sense of urgency about the need to protect our sources of water and arable land.

Yes, we are very clever and resourceful when it comes to constructing roads, buildings and sewer systems. We can build a subdivision in a matter of months.

How long would it take for us to make arable land and healthy drinking water? LESLIE DYSON Aldergrove