I am an avid SCUBA diver and I am writing to express my surprise and
concern regarding the recent amendments to the Lions Bay Parks Use bylaws,
which state: "Section 12.1 - No persons except residents of Lions Bay and
their visitors may scuba dive at Kelvin Grove beach park. No persons may
scuba dive at Lions Bay Beach Park."

Divers have been enjoying the use of Kelvin Grove Beach Park as an entry
point for many years.  This dive site (which is identified in several
popular books and numerous web sites) is known for it's beautiful
underwater topography which is teeming with marine life.
As our area is rated one of the best diving destinations in the world,
Kelvin Grove attracts both local and international divers who are happy
to pay the $8/day parking fee which is collected by Lions Bay Marina
(and presumably used to maintain the park).  Kelvin Grove Beach Park is
an ideal dive site because in addition to a safe and easy water entry,
the large (and usually empty) parking lot and public washroom are very
convenient.

Generally speaking, divers are a good group of people.  We are
interested in learning about and observing what is found in our oceans
and many divers actively work to protect this valuable ecosystem.
Ongoing projects by the Vancouver Aquarium such as the Rockfish
Abundance Survey (http://www.vanaqua.org/research/fish) rely on local
divers to help study changes in our marine ecosystem.  Additionally, I
personally know many divers who fill their pockets with garbage,
discarded fishing line and other harmful objects that are found
underwater and dispose of them properly on the surface.
I am unsure of what prompted this new bylaw, but many local communities
have decided to live in harmony with divers.  Some dive sites (notably
the Lookout Point dive in West Vancouver) have signs clearly stating
rules for the site (no changing clothing in public view, be respectful
of residents by not purging tanks/regulators at night, etc.) as well as
helpful tips for diving safely.  Some communities even go so far as to
provide small areas designated for donning scuba gear with a bench to
rest our equipment.

The local dive community is quite upset about this change and we intend
to work toward restoring our access to this great dive site.  Although
divers were not consulted or warned about this change, we would be very
happy to discuss mutually agreeable options that will ensure that Kelvin
Grove Beach Park can be enjoyed by residents and divers alike.

Thank you for reading.