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A high-profile outdoor recreation outfitter has stepped into arguably the most politicized issue in Squamish by donating thousands of dollars to a coalition of local community groups opposed to the Garibaldi at Squamish (GAS) resort development.
Several local groups opposing the development of a ski and golf resort at Brohm Ridge stand to benefit from the recently awarded $8,400 sustainability grant from the Mountain Equipment Co-Op (MEC) advocacy and education program.
According to MEC representatives, the local chapter of Big Wildlife, an Oregon-based wildlife advocacy group, will receive the grant in a lump sum and is expected to complete an “awareness project” within 12 months.
"The massive Garibaldi at Squamish resort would turn a stunning, natural landscape into a sprawling development of Mcmansions with Chemlawns," stated Brian Vincent, the Squamish-based communications director Big Wildlife, in a Nov. 24 press release announcing the funding.
“By funding efforts to stop the GAS project, Mountain Equipment Co-Op has demonstrated its commitment to conserving what makes Squamish so special.”
In the release, Vincent stated the grant would help fund a public awareness campaign developed through the collaborative efforts of more than 20 groups, including the Squamish Environment Society and Save Garibaldi.
Vincent, who reportedly wrote the grant application for a project entitled “Stop Garibaldi at Squamish Ski Resort Development,” refused to speak to The Chief.
MEC does not disclose applicants’ documents, according to the company’s sustainability co-ordinator Kirsten Blomdal.
The grant, according to Blomdal, was awarded to, for a public awareness campaign on the perils of the four season resort proposed for Brohm Ridge, which would include 22,846 bed units and golf courses.
According to Blomdal, a seven-person committee approved the grant because MEC encourages the preservation of backcountry, like Brohm Ridge.
“I think that they liked the work that they [the coalition] were going to be doing and there was a very strong support for protecting the backcountry.”
Squamish Environment Society president Catherine Jackson said she’s pleased MEC has acknowledged the importance of the backcountry area.
“We’re really very grateful to MEC, for them to recognize that this is an area that has so much value in terms of recreational opportunities.”
She said the campaign is geared towards increasing community awareness through the dissemination of information, but admits no specific plans exist just yet for the funds.
“We haven’t had our meeting to say ‘OK this is definitely where the money is going to be used’ but in our application we outlined a number of different proposals, things like information sessions, leaflet design and distribution and we’ve also ear marked some money for research.”
Jackson said the coalition has scheduled to start moving ahead on the awareness campaign in the New Year.
Save Garibaldi spokesperson Jessica Reid said an awareness campaign is desperately needed because many people are either unaware or misinformed about the proposed development.
“There’s still a lot of people that don’t really know really what’s going on and don’t know why this development is so controversial.”
Reid said the lack of research and information regarding the long-term socio-economic impact a resort would have on the municipality of Squamish, is very concerning.
“They haven’t accounted for any of the services that taxpayers generally account for like policing services or public transit, for example. So that falls on our shoulders, if it doesn’t make enough money to sustain itself, it becomes a liability for Squamish.”
Representatives from Garibaldi at Squamish declined to comment or did not return phones calls. However resort proponents have an opportunity to further their agenda during the Friends of Garibaldi Christmas celebration Tuesday (Dec. 15)
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Meredith says... 
You would think the Squamish Council would take notice that MEC, a company that is supported by many local residents, is against GAS.
It is time the Council followed MEC's lead and took a strong position against this disastrous development proposal. Say no to GAS.
Posted on December 7, 2009 @ 9:15 am PST | Report post to Editor | 2990198