LORENZO SIA Davip LAM CAMPUS ave you ever driven by the Barnet Ree toward Coquitlam Centre Mall and noticed a wide ditch cutting through the road? Have you driven along the Lougheed Highway by Mackin Park and seen wide ditches connecting to canal-sized waterways? Or have you noticed along Austin Avenue the areas with trees arid bushes that run between the houses and the side roads? All of these areas, regardless of their initial appearance, are some of Coquitlam’s creeks. The City of Coquitlam has, over the last few years, been trying to pre- serve the habitat of these watersheds. Because most of them are fish spawning grounds, many are protected by the cre- ation of special green zones—certain dis- tances on either side of the creek where no urban development can occur. Unfortunately, for some of these creeks this legislation came too late—some creeks look more like wide ditches than livable fish habitat. In fact, some creeks that go through Port Moody, like Miller Creek, cut through private property. This creek runs by Port Moody Senior Secondary and cuts through private property on the corner of St. John’s Street and Barnet Highway. Some creeks that were not protected by local legislation were destroyed by develop- ment. Take Scott Creek for example. This creek originates near the Westwood Plateau Golf Academy and runs through Coquitlam until it joins up with the Coquitlam River. It passes through the Barnet Highway, the Canadian Pacific Railroads, Coquitlam Bus and West Coast Express Stations, and underneath a bridge. However, in sections such as the Barnet Highway intersection, the creek is no longer a healthy-looking fish spawning ground. Rather, it passes through an indus- trial zoned area where there is no green area along the banks of the creek. In fact, Scott Creek has cement and asphalt run- ning along both sides of the bank, which makes the creek look sick and deadly for the fish. Another problem is that some creeks are in the way of urban development. In the past, when development occurred, creeks were sometimes made narrower through the filling of land. The water becomes polluted in the process, and then cities usually culvert the creek. This means that the creeks are buried underground, like sewers that connect creek areas. Take for example Como Creek and Como Lake. Before the development of West Coquitlam and the Burquitlam area, there were at least five creeks cutting through the city. One creek connected Como Lake to the Fraser River. Como Creek still exists; however, the section where Cémo Creek existed between Como Lake and the pres- ent day Como Creek is now culverted. This section runs between Como Lake at Gatensbury Avenue on the south end of the lake, to Gatensbury and Austin. The lam creeks section of Como Creek connecting Como Lake and the existing Como Creek is now uninhabitable for any living thing. Because of the great distance of the culvert, no fish will survive a journey through it. It is because of these past mistakes that the city is trying to protect the city’s remaining nat- ural creeks. There are many creeks in Coquitlam. Some of them you might not recognize as such, because of their condition. Along Mackin Park and the Real Canadian Superstore area along the Lougheed Highway are four creeks that merge more or less at one point. Nelson Creek runs parallel to Nelson Avenue; No Name Creek, which runs along Mackin Park, and Booth Creek, which runs along Lawrence Drive and into the industrial area around there, all merge into Como Creek, which crosses the Lougheed Highway, Highway I, and the CPR as it runs to the Fraser River. These places, these waterways, are integral to the environment of Coquitlam. They make our city beautiful and help enhance our awareness of the environment we live in. The ditch you're looking at could be a fish spawning creek. C0 ae et eke Ae Cot Neer ok ee Starving Student ISCOUNT NIGHT Look for these Savings and much more! 10% off 10% off regular priced merchandise 10% off 20% off 10% off 25% off regular priced menu items HMV Poster Plaza To make life a little easier, Coquitlam Centre thurs yy B is offering Douglas College students, staff and The Oak & Brass Room ProSystems Beauty Centre faculty a ‘student discount shopping night’. Gourmet Muffins 'n More The Pantry Restaurant Just show your student ID card to participating retailers when 10% off selected items 10% off 10% off 10% off No GST or PST, excludes sale items 10% off 10% off 10% off regular priced merchandise Kerrisdale Camera Park Avenue Cheesesteaks Plus Cartunes Sound & Cellular you shop the first Thursday of each month from 5pm to 9pm. List of participating stores available at Customer Service, South Mall. a av COQUITLAM CENTRE making life a little easier 464 8357 Versailles Jewellers Pet Habitat B.B. Watch Service Le Chateau Discounts not valid with any other promotions. Offers good at Coquitlam Centre only. The Other Press November4¢1998 — Page 5