Sent: Wed 2016-02-03 4:15 PM Dear Mr. Waines, As someone who lived in Alert Bay for sixteen years and who has sailed and boated extensively in the Broughton Archipelago, I am writing to express my strong support for increasing the Visual Quality Objectives to Preservation from Partial Retention in the area surrounding Boat Bay in Johnstone Strait. The reasons for protecting the natural visual setting surrounding Boat Bay are as follows: 1. It is a popular, sheltered anchorage. Sheltered anchorages along Johnstone Strait are few and far between. 2. It is the trailhead for the popular hike to Eagle Eye bluff, which overlooks Robson Bight and the world famous killer whale rubbing beaches. 3. It is across from Robson Bight and in the heart of the area that the Northern Resident killer whales are known to frequent in the summer. 4. It is a popular camping area for the thousands of kayakers who visit the area in hopes of spotting killer whales. In order to diversify the economy of the North Island, each industry needs high quality assets. The logging industry has TFL 47 in the Nimpkish Valley, which is one the most productive TFLs in the province. Johnstone Strait and Broughton Strait, in the area between Naka Creek and Port McNeill, should be preserved visually as a top quality asset for the marine tourism industry. Frankly, I strongly feel that the VQOs should be increased to Retention along the Straits in that area and that this upgrading around Boat Bay should be extended to the larger area that is most frequently traversed by vessels engaged in tourism and outdoor recreation, i.e. between Naka Creek and Port McNeill. Thank you for this opportunity to comment. Yours Truly, Garry Ullstrom 1275 Blesbok Road Campbell River, BC .