To Saanich Mayor and Council,

We the undersigned support the following actions by Saanich Council:

1. Removal of individual private properties from the scope of Saanich's EDPA Bylaw, and instead enact a temporary bylaw to have the EDPA apply only to new subdivision development (i.e. EDPA Atlas to be removed).
   
   
2. The appointment of a Scientific Advisory Committee, reporting to Council, with mandates of: a) assessing and ensuring scientific best-practice in relation to protecting biodiversity; b) creating a voluntary landowner stewardship program to improve biodiversity in Saanich; and, c) assess the need for revisions to the EDPA Bylaw complimentary to the stewardship program. Members of the committee would be jointly appointed by Council and landowners represented by Saanich Citizens for a Responsible EDPA Society.
   
   
3. Provide significant funding for maintenance and restoration of biodiversity in Saanich Parks and other municipal lands. The District of Saanich should be leading by example on public lands.

For more information, please go to our project page at: www.apello.org/projects/EDPA

(photo is of Knockan Hill Park)