The more we think about the Sumas Mountain Environmental Management Plan/Study, the more questions come to mind. Here are just a few --- food for thought. If anyone has more, let us know and we'll add them to the list.

• How much did the City of Abbotsford pay for this plan/study to be done?
  
  
• If the plan/study is based on science, where did the data come from?
  
  
• Have certain private properties been specifically targeted by City hall in this plan/study?
  
  
• If not, then how come the plan/study doesn’t consistently follow contour lines but sometimes runs along parcel boundaries?
  
  
• Can we see the data? What species are at risk? Where are they at risk? What does "at risk" actually mean? Does "at risk" have a legal definition?
  
  
• Where else in Abbotsford are there species at risk? Are all those other property owners going to have their properties' labeled "zero disturbance areas" too?
  
  
• Explain how the plan/study could be implemented without down-zoning our properties?
  
  
• If the plan/study proposes certain areas be designated as "zero development", what is the definition of "development"?
  
  
• When City staff says "development is a privilege and not a right" --- what do they mean by that?
  
  
• Is City hall committed to defending its citizens' property rights? If so, how can that happen if the Sumas Mountain plan/study is implemented?
  
  
• As the City developed the plan/study, why did they not consult with property owners, and yet consult with Metro Vancouver, Bear Aware, Fraser Valley Conservancy, and other nature groups?
  
  
• Isn't it enough to have Sumas Mountain Park (which is 4 times bigger than Stanley Park)? Why do our private properties need to be turned into nature preserves too?
  
  
• Has City staff considered the legal repercussions of their plan/study? Are they potentially opening the door for lawsuits to be filed against the City by property owners? Do they have sufficient funds to deal with this potentiality?
  
  
• If City hall disregards the property rights of its residents, how will that be good for Abbotsford? Won't it result in a "flight of capital" away from Abbotsford?
  
  
• How did the Sumas Mountain plan/study gain so much momentum without City Council or the Mayor being informed as to what was going on?
  
  
• Doesn't the plan/study amount to partial expropriation?
  
  
• Abbotsford recently "sold" Metro Vancouver several hundred acres on Sumas Mountain for a dollar, to be operated as parkland, and it has been reported that Metro Vancouver wants to eventually acquire more land up here. Wouldn't the Sumas Mountain plan/study reduce our property values? Although that would be good for Metro Vancouver, wouldn't it be bad for us?
  
  
• The plan/study says agriculture is a type of "development" --- does that mean the City is against farming and agriculture on Sumas Mountain?
  
  
• The City says they want our feedback on the plan/study --- but how can we give them proper feedback when they haven't showed us all the data and maps, or fully revealed to us their plans?

Please make plans to attend tonight's meeting.