This petition is a call to action to our elected leaders, from the CVRD and beyond, to refuse intimidation from 3L Developments or development proponents and to do the right thing to protect Stotan Falls in the long-term. We urge you to do your best to purchase the Puntledge Triangle lands and riverbed and to continue to create a network of regional parks along the Puntledge River. These purchases will contribute to increasing our social and recreational capital while also protecting our natural assets. Preserving nature not only offers many benefits to our health and wellbeing, but it also increases our resilience to climate change and prevents biodiversity loss. 

Stotan Falls is indisputably one of the most beautiful natural spaces the Comox Valley has to offer. Before the current owner of Stotan Falls, 3L Developments closed access to the public; this was an area popular for swimming and recreation. While Comox Valley residents no longer have access to this site, Stotan Falls continues to have a special place in the heart of our community. Protecting Stotan Falls is a priority for many Comox Valley residents, as demonstrated by this Facebook group.

For many years, 3L Developments has unsuccessfully lobbied the CVRD (Comox Valley Regional District) to amend the Regional Growth Strategy so its land can be re-zoned as a new Settlement Node. By doing this, 3L Developments is trying to build a new community called Riverwood of up to 1100 homes on the 525 acres of land it owns around the Stotan Falls area. While 3L claims that if they build their project, they will give the Comox Valley a 'free' 260-acre park in exchange, this ignores the fact that much of their land is already secured as public land by riparian restrictions and steep slope legislation. 

Recently, a petition by a group named the "Save Stotan Falls Committee" gained traction as it asks the City of Courtenay to annex the 3L Development Lands. This proposal is neither appropriate nor sufficient to protect the area. Annexing the property into the City would still allow for development to occur. It would even damage this essential natural asset by impacting wildlife corridors, salmon watershed areas, and the natural beauty of Stotan Falls. The CYCC disagrees with this petition's objectives and discourages people interested in preserving Stotan Falls to sign it. 

The colonial history that enabled 3L to claim ownership of the Stotan Falls riverbed and surrounding lands raises essential questions about the legal and moral authority of 3L to develop, log, or sell these lands. Regardless of who owns Stotan Falls, these lands remain K’òmoks First Nation unceded Traditional Territory. In past weeks, 3L sent letters to property owners adjacent to their land to warn of imminent logging if the CVRD does not strike a deal to purchase the properties. These events should remind us of the risks our local natural spaces' face when owned by private interests mainly driven by their bottom line. 

The CVRD must preserve the beauty and integrity of Stotan Falls and the Puntledge Triangle for current and future generations. The Comox Youth Climate Council believes it is pressing that the Comox Valley Regional District purchases the riverbed and surrounding lands to ensure the permanent protection of Stotan Falls. 

Sincerely,

The Comox Youth Climate Council 

**Please do not donate to Change.org as the funds go to their website and not to the CYCC. To donate to the CYCC, visit our website.**

The Comox Youth Climate Council is a group of dedicated high school, college, and university students in the Comox Valley; persistent in doing our part fighting the climate crisis to safeguard the future of our planet and its inhabitants. Connect with us through Facebook​, Instagram, and our website or email us at comoxyouthclimatecouncil@gmail.com.