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While there are several stewardship groups operating in the Colquitz Watershed, [Ian Bruce] said this group will focus on caring for the rivers mainstem, located between Carey and Wilkinson roads. Responsibilities will include monitoring the water quality, stream restoration and garbage removal. Previously, the society organized the Friends of Swan Creek Watershed in response to a home heating fuel spill into the creek in November 2011. The inaugural meeting will be held Wednesday, Sept. 16 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Saanich Community Church, located at 4566 West Saanich Rd. Attendees are asked to RSVP by email to peninsulastreams@gmail.com.

Once the spill was discovered, James Bogusz of the Victoria Airport Authority says he was notified immediately. From him, the word was relayed on to the Town of Sidney, responsible for the downstream and residential portion of Reay Creek the body of water into which the spill occurred. Ian Bruce of Peninsula Streams, and an environmental watchdog, agrees that once the incident was discovered, the company didnt hide but took responsibility and took action. Bruce says Viking Air representatives even attended a recent community meeting held with residents who live along the banks of Reay Creek to explain what happened.

\"I feel the existing dam needs to be removed,\" said Councillor Mervyn Lougher-Goodey. \"It should be put back to how (the stream) was before that.\" \"Removing the dam is one of the options Peninsula Streams considered when we began looking at the sediment in the pond,\" [Ian Bruce] said. \"If you remove the dam, the sediment would still have to be removed.\" \"All of this sediment work,\" said Bruce, \"is a necessary part of determining the future of the (pond and the dam).\"

Ian Bruce, the society's executive co-ordinator, says Peninsula Streams volunteers tried to go door-to-door at Mulberry Place with invitations to one of two meetings set up July 4 or July 9. The society had hoped to speak with residents about plans for the pond, including a berm or boardwalk, and nearby Chalet Creek. He's not giving up on meeting with people, however. Bruce said there will be a meeting on Tuesday, September 10 for people who live in the Chalet Creek watershed -- that's in the area of Tatlow Road. The location is to be determined, but the time will be 7 to 9 p.m. Bruce said Peninsula Streams will advertise it and send mail outs to households in the area, inviting residents to the meetings.

  Ian Bruce will be joined by Ian Walker for gigs at the Acoustic Music Centre at St Brides, and Ian's brother Fraser,...

Ian Bruce will be joined by Ian Walker for gigs at the Acoustic Music Centre at St Brides, and Ian's brother Fraser,...

\"And, myself and Reg Kirkham plan to go door-to-door and let people know,\" said [Ian Bruce], adding, \"you cannot consult enough.\" Before any work is done, Bruce said they have to test the waters and the sediment. He said they have enlisted the help of a retired scientist who specializes in sediment testing. Core samples will be taken from the pond in September and analyzed for its content -- including contaminants. Asked if there are any concerns about what's in the pond today, Bruce said that's hard to answer without the right information. The language in Peninsula Streams' letter to residents is playing it safe, in the was of the communications bungle in North Saanich. In it, they outline plans to do sediment sampling in two months, adding that the results of that work will determine \"if removal is warranted or what other strategies may be undertaken.\"

That's not good enough for Mulberry Place residents who filled the public gallery during Monday night's regular council meeting. They are saying that what Peninsula Streams has done to date is not good enough. They are demanding to be kept informed and are hoping to have the pond's health evaluated. One resident asked council how they might get a third party ecological study done on the pond to gauge its health. Another resident also said they wanted to put the brakes on any berm project \"for good.\" Coun. Conny McBride said she attended that EAC meeting in February, noting that Peninsula Streams mentioned their plans in passing and that they were for some time \"down the line.\"