The City of Port Alberni has proposed a 60 site municipal campground directly inside Paper Mill Dam Park. Turning this public day-use park into a high-density campground poses severe risks to our local community and environment:

Threat to Local Bear Populations: Paper Mill Dam Park is a critical habitat for local black bears who depend on the Somass River salmon run to fatten up for winter survival. Forcing 60 campsites into this zone introduces continuous human food attractants, inevitably leading to bears being habituated, deemed public safety risks, and destroyed. This disrupts the natural cycle where bears transfer vital nitrogen nutrients from salmon directly into the surrounding forest ecosystem.

Loss of Public Community Access: Paper Mill Dam Park is a cherished local treasure. It serves as a vital daily walking spot for residents and a premier, accessible swimming hole on the river during the summer months. Overcrowding the area with campsites will fundamentally restrict local families from freely enjoying the beach and trails.

Traffic and Infrastructure Strain: Flooding Paper Mill Road with a high volume of campers, trucks, and RVs will cause major traffic congestion, noise pollution, and safety hazards on roads that are not built to handle heavy tourism traffic.

We, the undersigned residents of Port Alberni, demand that the City of Port Alberni immediately table these discussions indefinitely. We call on Council to preserve this land strictly as an open, accessible, day-use nature park to protect our local wildlife, ensure traffic safety, and guarantee free river access for all residents.