Rare frog could disrupt highway construction

The discovery of a rare frog could halt a controversial expansion of the dangerous Sea to Sky Highway over West Vancouver's Eagleridge Bluffs.

The Red-legged Frog, which is rare and designated species of concern in Canada, has been found in wetlands in the path of the new highway above Horseshoe Bay.

• LINK: Red-legged Frog

The District of West Vancouver and Horseshoe Bay residents have been lobbying for a tunnel through the bluffs.

West Vancouver District Environmental Co-ordinator Steven Jenkins says the only way to protect the rare frog is to build a tunnel. And he says West Van officials will now press Victoria and Ottawa to reconsider the highway plan.

Jenkins says West Vancouver officials were always concerned that the government fast-tracked its own environmental impact assessment.

And he says government documents show the new highway could result in the breeding failure of other amphibians, as well as unusual ones.

• FROM JULY 14, 2004: West Van highway battle

The province has said a tunnel would be too expensive. And B.C. Transportation Minister Kevin Falcon says measures are already in place to protect the wetlands .

He maintains that the real concern regarding the Sea to Sky highway should be human safety.

"We will do whatever we can to protect the frog and all the other environmental species, but at the end of the day we need to keep in mind that human lives are the most important thing for me."

• INTERVIEW: The Early Edition's Rick Cluff speaks with Bruce McArthur of the Coalition to save Eagleridge Bluffs and with Transportation Minister Kevin Falcon.

• LINK: Coalition to save Eagleridge Bluffs