You are invited to attend a rally to protect KARST on Wednesday, June 25, 8:30 a.m. at Echo Center Field House in the Alberni Valley. This will be a short half-hour demonstration pertaining to the need to protect and legislate karst terrain in order to safeguard our drinking water. The rally is occurring prior to a visit at the Field House by Stuart McPherson of the Private Managed Forest Land Council.

The Alberni Valley is fortunate in having an expert in the field of KARST and its influence on drinking water, Reid Robinson. We are fortunate in that Reid is willing to share his knowledge and expertise as well as work with regulatory bodies to produce legislation to protect this important and vulnerable aspect of our watersheds.

Two years ago when SOVA began, the definition and qualities of karst were little known in the valley and elsewhere. Much of Vancouver Island contains karst terrain, which can and does influence drinking water. Here in the Alberni Valley there are six major drinking water areas: Sproat Lake, Beaver Creek, Beaufort, City of Port Alberni, Cherry Creek, and Mountain View area. All of these systems are unique, requiring individualized regulatory rules. Most are influenced by KARST.

Karst is comprised of a system of limestone conduits formed by the action of water dissolving limestone. It is similar to an underground system of blood vessels but without a filter system. Therefore anything which enters a karst system connected to drinking water goes very quickly to your tap. This means that if a logging company decides to use pesticides or herbicides or disposes of other toxic substances on karst terrain, these poisons enter directly into the drinking water conduits under ground.

While we do not pretend to know everything about karst, the following points must be considered:

 There is currently no legislation to protect karst on privately owned land in B.C.
 The Alberni Valley is surrounded by privately owned land containing karst terrain.
 The quality and quantity of drinking water of many valley residents (and elsewhere on Vancouver Island) depend upon protecting karst.
 Walkerton is an example of what can happen as a result of lack of education and legislation regarding karst systems.
 The health of salmon fry depend upon the cold temperatures which karst systems provide.

We welcome you to attend this rally for karst and urge you to find out more about the karst which may be in your area.