The proposed all seasons resort Garibaldi at Squamish (GAS) has hit another substantial roadblock. The Environmental Assessment Office (EAO) has put its application on hold for a second time citing a lack of information on issues such as water supply.On April 15, project assessment director Graeme McLaren sent a letter to the proponent warning that concerns about water supply "had not been addressed to the satisfaction of working group members." He noted it was not the only outstanding issue in the application.In the letter, McLaren asked whether the proponents would like to voluntarily suspend the review - an offer GAS representatives rejected. A week later, McLaren put the review process on hold himself. The decision had a domino effect for District of Squamish council members, who decided at the request of the project's CEO Mike Esler, to put a scheduled information session on hold as well. The meeting had been designed to gauge public opinion so the district could to take an official position on the project.Speaking to council as a strategy session on Tuesday (April 29), Esler said it was no longer pressing to take a position. "I think what you felt is you had to weigh in because you felt that the EA process was almost over with, since Tuesday that's completely changed."He said GAS representatives planned to get more information about the project out to the community. Not only will he be holding more open houses- -this time with an open mic- -Esler said a GAS presentation centre would also be opening in the community as early as mid-May. He said staff has already been lined up for the centre, which will be open seven days a week."Clearly there's a lot of misinformation about our project and we need to address them one-on-one," he said.Esler gave little insight into why the EAO process had been put on hold. "I quite honestly don't know, we're waiting for a letter for them," he said. "I'd be speculating a little bit but I think it's to do with some of the water issues."He said he remains optimistic the project will eventually get EAO approval.Recently, the proponents have made some headway with the Black Tusk Snowmobile Club. The group was originally supporting Save Garibaldi by co-hosting its April fundraiser. However, the group was not present at the fundraiser. While club representatives did not return calls from The Chief, Esler said they were working with GAS to find a "mutually beneficial accommodation" for the club. Though pleased with the EAO's cautious approach, the district's decision to reschedule the meeting frustrated Save Garibaldi member Catherine Jackson. The opposition group has held a number of well-attended information sessions in recent months highlighting problems with the proposal. Jackson said the public was ready to voice its opinion on it."I think the community as a whole do have the information that we need to make a decision on this already regardless of the EAO," she said. "I couldn't see the reason for [postponing it]. Anyways, we'll persist."To avoid extensive delays, Mayor Ian Sutherland said the meeting would be rescheduled for some time in June.Meanwhile, district staff is also trying to learn more about how GAS would impact Squamish. Chief Administrative Officer Kim Anema said he had little time to consider it with an already heavy workload."I'm wondering if this isn't an opportunity for GAS to give us whatever financial support it needs to get us to hire someone to do the work Kim needs to do," said Coun. Corinne Lonsdale.Esler was open to the idea of funding district consultation costs."We have no issues at all in providing whatever assistance you need to get this thing moving along because it's holding all us up," he said.
