If there's one thing both factions of the Garibaldi at Squamish (GAS) debate can agree on, it's that their opponents' arguments are baseless.
Few vocal GAS supporters faced plenty of opponents at an information meeting organized by anti-GAS groups Monday (April 12) at the Sea to Sky Hotel, where well over 100 locals listened to expert and layman opinions, including one hydrology professor's admittedly limited knowledge of the subject.
Billed as an experts' panel to discuss the viability of the plan, the event's speakers included geoscientist Pierre Friele, UBC hydrology professor Rob Millar, Squamish Nation residents Richard Billy and Shirley Lewis, Whistler Flyfishing president Brian Niska, and Squamish Environment Society president Catherine Jackson.
All panel members but Millar expressed opposition to the proposal to build a four-season ski and golf resort on Brohm Ridge that would include 22,000 bed units. Save Garibaldi member Jessica Reid said supporters and proponents weren't invited to speak "because all they did was re-iterate information we already had. So they didn't really bring any expertise to the table, it was more of an opinion."
She said they focused on getting presenters who had understanding of the issues so they could relay that information to the community.
For example Lewis and Billy were invited, said Reid, since GAS site goes over a trap line that's been in the family for generations and is still used for hunting and collecting medicine.
However the founder Peter Levine of Friends of Garibaldi, which supports the project, described the panel as being "far from experts."
"Several of them in the first sentence even said 'I'm not an expert,'" said Levine. "It was nothing more than telling their opinions.
"We had a geologist speaking about Smart Growth and making assumptions he wasn't really qualified to make and flyfishing guides who were talking about the biology of fish. The one real expert, a UBC professor who spoke about hydrology, was presenting a report he was tasked with putting together two weeks ago."
Squamish Coun. Doug Race expressed his own concerns with the meeting, which he said brought forward questionable facts.
"One of the most disappointing parts of the meeting was some of the information I know was not accurate," said Race.
"That's not taking a side on it but I think it's important we all have accurate information before we can make a decision on this development."
He referred to GAS as the largest potential project the community has ever faced.
"It would affect everybody in the community here now and for generations to come."
The latest information on the project came out of the provincial Environmental Assessment Office (EAO) in January. The EAO working group expressed serious concerns with "inaccuracies" and "inconsistencies" in the latest report on the Garibaldi at Squamish resort compared to past consultant reports.
The information gaps are not typical of projects going forward for provincial consideration, said project assessment director Graeme McLaren.
The GAS report stated four of the proposed five dams -including two previously unmentioned 50-metre structures - would be erected on terrain that consultants had previously deemed too hazardous to build on.
Miller's hydrology report analyzed the Brohm Creek water flow, but he pointed out proponents only have one year of data available, whereas two years of data is typically recommended.
Despite the limited information available, Miller said the predictive power of hydrology for the site was nonetheless "not too bad."
According to his study of the proponent's data, in an average year the flow during the freshet season (May and June) would be high enough to allow GAS to take the amount of water they need. However, once every six years the level wouldn't be high enough, he said.
As a flyfishing guide, Niska emphasized the importance of Brohm Creek for the fish population.
"What makes Brohm Creek so unique is the phosphorous content in the water, which actually boosts steelhead productivity by three to five times."
Geoscientist Friele said GAS was not recognized by the region, and against the Smart Growth strategy.
"Let's focus on existing communities instead of building new ones," he said.
Squamish Nation members Billy and Lewis also expressed frustration over the project site. Although not representing the entire band, Lewis quoted the Royal Proclamation from 1763 that promised not to disturb native hunting grounds unnecessarily.
"Somewhere along the line it's been forgotten," she said. "But we'll remind them. Our community will vote 'No.'"
After the panel of experts each had their 15 minutes, the floor opened to questions.
Numerous residents called the project a land grab. People voiced concerns about the project failing, the environment, community growth strategy and climate change.
Richard Tripp was the first and only GAS supporter to speak. He said he supports the project for the much-needed jobs and doesn't want Squamish to end up a ghost town.
"Mainly, I want to see Squamish become a town where my three kids can grow up and have a reason to stay here," he said. "I think this [GAS] is the most viable option at this point."
Many of the speakers refuted his arguments and when he tried to respond, someone in the crowd told him to "shut up."
The next step in the anti-GAS movement will be to assess the area's economic viability as-is with a study of users and the funds they generate in the community, said Reid.
