In 2018, the BC Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure proposed a project to widen the median barrier in Goldstream Provincial Park, citing safety and improved reliability with fewer road closures and complications. Unfortunately, the online public engagement for this project closed on September 20, 2020, and most people were unaware of its existence.

However, the proposed project presents a significant problem, as it requires destruction in one of the last delicate ecosystems on southern Vancouver Island. Goldstream Provincial Park is a vital location where salmon return every year in the fall to spawn, and it is also a traditional fishing ground for First Nations.

The project is expected to result in the removal of 700 to 800 trees, including old growth, Douglas fir, cedar, and maple. These trees provide crucial shade and cooling for the river while transferring nutrients and contributing to soil fertility. They also offer habitat for a wide range of animals, creating a small and rare oasis for the salmon and other creatures that depend on them for survival. Additionally, they help regulate local and regional climates by providing shade, cooling the air, and releasing water vapor into the atmosphere through transpiration.

The BC Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure asserts that the retaining wall and walkway will offer shade for the fish and new vegetation will be planted. However, they fail to recognize that a concrete wall does not contribute to an ecosystem in the same way as trees and vegetation. Moreover, they overlook the considerable amount of time it takes for trees, moss, and other organisms to grow and thrive. They state that the new construction will prevent oil spills from contaminating the river, but this objective can be accomplished without demolishing the trees alongside the highway. Finally, they claim that no structure foundations reside within the normal annual flow waterline of Goldstream River, even though they would be changing the diameter of the river.

Given the worsening effects of climate change, preserving Goldstream Provincial Park has become more critical than ever before. Streams are drying up, and salmon are dying at alarming rates. Therefore, taking down these trees and bringing a concrete median into the river should be unthinkable.

The BC Ministry of Transportation should explore alternative solutions to improve safety and reliability, such as reducing the speed limit within and around Goldstream Provincial Park and installing a traffic light to allow people to enter and leave the park safely. This way, we can ensure that we preserve this unique ecosystem while improving road safety.