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The mine would sit atop the park’s parking lot and consume several existing trails, including those used by the Run For Water trail race, which has raised over $70,000 for clean water projects and wells in Ethiopia over the last two years.

“This year’s wells were named ‘Letisha’s Well’ in memory of a teenage girl who died in a random attack at Abby Secondary last year,” said race director Paul Enns.

Photo by Metro Vancouver / PNG

Letisha’s father Uli Reimer participated in this year’s race.

Postmedia was not able to reach the company proposing the quarry, but more than 50 million tonnes of aggregates are used each year in B.C., according to the B.C. Stone, Sand and Gravel Association. Aggregate is used in asphalt and concrete.

“An efficient supply of aggregates is critical to maintaining our standard of living,” said Jack Davidson, a government relations coordinator for association. “There is a cost to NIMBYism.”

In September, the Metro Vancouver board voted to join the growing opposition to the proposed quarry. The City of Abbotsford, Fraser Valley Regional District and the Sumas First Nation have also registered their dissent.

The 1,568-hectare park is a “biological hotspot” inhabited by at least 40 species at risk, including mountain beaver and red-legged frog, according to a report prepared by Metro Vancouver staff.

“It’s a place to escape the city,” said Mike Thomas, member of the Abbotsford Trail Running Club. “The farmland is protected, so a lot of the development in the Fraser Valley is going up the mountains. Sumas is one of the only places in Abbotsford where you can easily access really great trails.”

gluymes@postmedia.com

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