Climbers Access Society Of BC

GAS

written Saturday, June 12, 2010

for Cat Lake

by Peter Winter

June 11, 2010
Ministry of Environment
INFORMATION LACKING FOR GARIBALDI AT SQUAMISH PROJECT VICTORIA – Garibaldi at Squamish Inc. will have to provide more information on its proposed project before it will be eligible to be considered for an environmental assessment certificate. Environment Minister Barry Penner and Tourism, Culture and the Arts Minister Kevin Krueger made the decision to require additional information from the proponent after considering the review led by B.C.’s Environmental Assessment Office (EAO) and other matters they considered relevant to the public interest. The proponent proposes to construct and operate an all-seasons resort consisting of up to 21,922 residential and commercial bed units, two golf courses, 25 ski lifts and 123 runs, a water supply system with five large dammed reservoirs, solid and liquid waste management systems, highway access and roadway development and power supply infrastructure. The proposed project would be located on the slopes of Brohm Ridge within the coast range of southern British Columbia, located near the southwest corner of Garibaldi Provincial Park, which is approximately 15 kilometres north of Squamish. Based on its review of the proposed project, the EAO was unable to adequately assess the potential for adverse environmental effects of the proposed project due to insufficient information provided by the proponent with respect to five major areas: water supply and hydrology, fish and fish habitat, wildlife and wildlife habitat, vegetation and water reservoirs and dams. The ministers concluded the information provided by the proponent was inadequate with respect to potential significant adverse impacts. The ministers did not accept the proponent’s proposal to provide additional information at the permitting stage, rather than addressing these matters during the environmental assessment as it would undermine the purpose and intent of the B.C. Environmental Assessment Act. The project did not trigger an environmental assessment under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act. The ministers ordered that the proposed project undergo a further assessment led by the Environmental Assessment Office in accordance with the scope, procedures and methods specified in the order.