Community Articles (listed by posting date)
General News · 1st May 2026
peter rothfels
This letter will express my opposition to the request by Island United to expand a rock quarry operation they own on Cortes Island.
When I searched for information on the population of Cortes Island, I learned that there are approximately 1,000 residents, described as an intriguing mix of old and new. Having lived here for just 11 years, I count myself among the new. Also among the new is Island United, a largish sand, gravel and cement company. Island United has established itself as a prime mover of the materials mentioned above. Being an island with an intriguing mix of old and new, one would expect mixed reactions to this business and indeed,
there are passionate responses both from those supporting the business and those not. Although this friction is tangible, I do not believe it should result in a polarization between the environmentalists and the
interests of Island United, a scenario of antagonistic environmentalists and defenders of independent commercial enterprise. The situation is deeper than that and more global in scope which I hope will become clear as these thoughts unfold.
The prompt for this letter is the recent application by Island United for appropriation of 5 hectares or 12 acres (some size discrepancies depending from which site information is gleaned) of crown land for the purpose of expanding the rock quarry they purchased from a local owner a few years ago. My protest against this can be addressed under five
headings.
1. Demographics
2. Environmental impact /crown land use
3. Cortes Island Conservancy
4. Impact on small excavation enterprises
5. Benefits
First, Cortes has a strong sense of community. With such a small population, paths cross at many different social occasions and bonds are made easily. The current of independence runs deep and the skills needed to lead a life in relative isolation create an understood sense of belonging. The need to earn an independent living has opened many a
creative door: artists, musicians, writers, potters, millers and all manner of carpenters are some of the ways people survive. The sea also provides a living for the shellfish industry. Living a little bit outside the usual norm does breed a vibrant, creative and skilled
workforce and community, wholeheartedly living full out. However, as much as it seems a community, it is more a loose affiliation of tribal alliances. Like people everywhere, we tend to gather with those like minded and there are a lot of minds on this island. Tribes are formed around mutual interests but these tribes
interact on various levels and harmony prevails. However, Cortes is feeling what the world at large is feeling, as making ends meet becomes a struggle. Jobs are scarce, housing is short and frictions arise, all normal business considering the state of our planet. A
petition to open a new mining operation for gravel extraction exacerbates the tension in the community and fractures are evident even before any decision has been reached. First and foremost, safeguarding a harmonious existence for all Cortesians should be
paramount.
Second, the environmental impact caused by stripping five hectares of forested land and turning it into a gravel pit is significant. I know others more informed than I are writing with regard to this concern so I will be brief. I have a sense of what is involved but do not have specifics. I imagine a before and after scenario, with deer running for shelter, the wolves skirting what used to be home and the lions squeezed yet again into ever shrinking territory. I expect there will be wells drilled, waterways diverted but all of this, as i say, i
cannot confirm. i just feel it. A nibble here, a nibble there and it is not long before the pie is gone.
Third, Cortesians are considerate of the natural beauty of the island. It is a small island, 25 km (15 miles) long and 13 km (8 miles) wide and absolutely jam packed with natural splendour. It is magnificent in scope, both for the land and the sea it sits upon. That beauty and a will to live in harmony with it is a major draw for most residents, perhaps all. According to Uncle google, 'Cortes Island has approximately 3,869 hectares of Crown land managed under a community
forest agreement, which accounts for about 35% of the island's total land area.' That is a good chunk of Cortes. If this petition to open a mine of five hectares is approved, it sets a precedent for other such uses
of Crown land and then the walls come tumbling down. The danger is that the reasons Cortes is so attractive, despite the inconvenience of being two ferry
rides off the coast of Vancouver island, will slowly erode. Less Crown land would mean less habitat for the wild ones and less habitat for the wild ones would lead to more encounters with humans. There is
already talk of culls to keep some of these at bay. I am being vague here because I do not have facts at hand. Sometimes, though, conjecture and common sense is all one needs. It is a shame to imagine that this small island, tucked away in the Pacific North West, will
lose its splendour for the sake of commercial interests. It would be good to preserve it if for no other reason than it is a jewel of the natural world in a world that is rapidly losing its beauty.
Fourth, Island United is the largest sand, gravel and cement company on the island. They came in well financed and knowledgeable and have succeeded to the point where they have begun to employ locals. Some are happy with this and it is a credit to Island United. However, they are not the only operators on the island. There are a number of smaller independents who trade in the same areas and who are feeling the pinch as jobs increasingly go to Island United. When Island United first arrived, their fleet of trucks soon dominated the highways and the company said that competition would be good for Cortes. I am always careful about speculation but i suspect that
expanding the existing quarry may just lead to a monopoly in the business for Island United, with the smaller operators being squeezed out.
Maintaining the existing quarry only may help in a distribution of work for all those so engaged.
Lastly, who will benefit from the proposed expansion? The company, local hires and those who need gravel. I can think of no one else who will reap any sort of benefit. As it stands, the current pit, the one that has
been serving the needs of Cortesians for decades, still produces and is still meeting all needs. We have not seen a needs analysis from Island United which shows that there is a demand that would warrant the production of the annual 40,000 tonnes (projected) and there is concern that surplus material may be ferried off the island and that would not be welcomed. There is a lot of commotion around this petition, all so one company can reap commercial revenue. Personal enrichment at the exploitation of Cortes Island does not sit well and it is hoped that after reviewing a number of responses in opposition to the expansion, ears and hearts would be open at least to further discussion with full disclosure from Island United regarding their intent.
Sincerely,
peter rothfels
408 whaletown road
po box 218
whaletown
V0P1Z0
tel 250 204 0521
When I searched for information on the population of Cortes Island, I learned that there are approximately 1,000 residents, described as an intriguing mix of old and new. Having lived here for just 11 years, I count myself among the new. Also among the new is Island United, a largish sand, gravel and cement company. Island United has established itself as a prime mover of the materials mentioned above. Being an island with an intriguing mix of old and new, one would expect mixed reactions to this business and indeed,
there are passionate responses both from those supporting the business and those not. Although this friction is tangible, I do not believe it should result in a polarization between the environmentalists and the
interests of Island United, a scenario of antagonistic environmentalists and defenders of independent commercial enterprise. The situation is deeper than that and more global in scope which I hope will become clear as these thoughts unfold.
The prompt for this letter is the recent application by Island United for appropriation of 5 hectares or 12 acres (some size discrepancies depending from which site information is gleaned) of crown land for the purpose of expanding the rock quarry they purchased from a local owner a few years ago. My protest against this can be addressed under five
headings.
1. Demographics
2. Environmental impact /crown land use
3. Cortes Island Conservancy
4. Impact on small excavation enterprises
5. Benefits
First, Cortes has a strong sense of community. With such a small population, paths cross at many different social occasions and bonds are made easily. The current of independence runs deep and the skills needed to lead a life in relative isolation create an understood sense of belonging. The need to earn an independent living has opened many a
creative door: artists, musicians, writers, potters, millers and all manner of carpenters are some of the ways people survive. The sea also provides a living for the shellfish industry. Living a little bit outside the usual norm does breed a vibrant, creative and skilled
workforce and community, wholeheartedly living full out. However, as much as it seems a community, it is more a loose affiliation of tribal alliances. Like people everywhere, we tend to gather with those like minded and there are a lot of minds on this island. Tribes are formed around mutual interests but these tribes
interact on various levels and harmony prevails. However, Cortes is feeling what the world at large is feeling, as making ends meet becomes a struggle. Jobs are scarce, housing is short and frictions arise, all normal business considering the state of our planet. A
petition to open a new mining operation for gravel extraction exacerbates the tension in the community and fractures are evident even before any decision has been reached. First and foremost, safeguarding a harmonious existence for all Cortesians should be
paramount.
Second, the environmental impact caused by stripping five hectares of forested land and turning it into a gravel pit is significant. I know others more informed than I are writing with regard to this concern so I will be brief. I have a sense of what is involved but do not have specifics. I imagine a before and after scenario, with deer running for shelter, the wolves skirting what used to be home and the lions squeezed yet again into ever shrinking territory. I expect there will be wells drilled, waterways diverted but all of this, as i say, i
cannot confirm. i just feel it. A nibble here, a nibble there and it is not long before the pie is gone.
Third, Cortesians are considerate of the natural beauty of the island. It is a small island, 25 km (15 miles) long and 13 km (8 miles) wide and absolutely jam packed with natural splendour. It is magnificent in scope, both for the land and the sea it sits upon. That beauty and a will to live in harmony with it is a major draw for most residents, perhaps all. According to Uncle google, 'Cortes Island has approximately 3,869 hectares of Crown land managed under a community
forest agreement, which accounts for about 35% of the island's total land area.' That is a good chunk of Cortes. If this petition to open a mine of five hectares is approved, it sets a precedent for other such uses
of Crown land and then the walls come tumbling down. The danger is that the reasons Cortes is so attractive, despite the inconvenience of being two ferry
rides off the coast of Vancouver island, will slowly erode. Less Crown land would mean less habitat for the wild ones and less habitat for the wild ones would lead to more encounters with humans. There is
already talk of culls to keep some of these at bay. I am being vague here because I do not have facts at hand. Sometimes, though, conjecture and common sense is all one needs. It is a shame to imagine that this small island, tucked away in the Pacific North West, will
lose its splendour for the sake of commercial interests. It would be good to preserve it if for no other reason than it is a jewel of the natural world in a world that is rapidly losing its beauty.
Fourth, Island United is the largest sand, gravel and cement company on the island. They came in well financed and knowledgeable and have succeeded to the point where they have begun to employ locals. Some are happy with this and it is a credit to Island United. However, they are not the only operators on the island. There are a number of smaller independents who trade in the same areas and who are feeling the pinch as jobs increasingly go to Island United. When Island United first arrived, their fleet of trucks soon dominated the highways and the company said that competition would be good for Cortes. I am always careful about speculation but i suspect that
expanding the existing quarry may just lead to a monopoly in the business for Island United, with the smaller operators being squeezed out.
Maintaining the existing quarry only may help in a distribution of work for all those so engaged.
Lastly, who will benefit from the proposed expansion? The company, local hires and those who need gravel. I can think of no one else who will reap any sort of benefit. As it stands, the current pit, the one that has
been serving the needs of Cortesians for decades, still produces and is still meeting all needs. We have not seen a needs analysis from Island United which shows that there is a demand that would warrant the production of the annual 40,000 tonnes (projected) and there is concern that surplus material may be ferried off the island and that would not be welcomed. There is a lot of commotion around this petition, all so one company can reap commercial revenue. Personal enrichment at the exploitation of Cortes Island does not sit well and it is hoped that after reviewing a number of responses in opposition to the expansion, ears and hearts would be open at least to further discussion with full disclosure from Island United regarding their intent.
Sincerely,
peter rothfels
408 whaletown road
po box 218
whaletown
V0P1Z0
tel 250 204 0521