The Sea to Sky Gondola is under investigation by the province because of possible environmental damage caused by its winter tube park.
Located at the top of the gondola, next to the Wonderland Lake Loop, the four-lane sledding park opened for the first time this winter.
The tube park is being investigated by the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations, according to ministry spokesman Greig Bethel, who wouldn’t comment on exactly what the investigation involved. “This is an active investigation, so it would be inappropriate for the ministry to comment further at this time,” read a statement to The Squamish Chief from the ministry.
“The ministry takes seriously any alleged violations of legislation that it has a responsibility to enforce.”
Gondola officials are working to remediate the tube park area, according to gondola general manager Kirby Brown.
“The tube park operates under our current permit from the provincial government,” he said. “The tube park required the removal of some trees. We are in the process of using this opportunity to add additional habitat for riparian species that may be affected by the tree removal.”
“Our [environmental] consultants will confirm the best way to do that and, once approved by the province, we’ll complete the work.”
Gondola officials also didn’t get approvals from the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District (SLRD) before constructing the tube park.
The work done to clear the tube park site requires a conservation development permit as well as a riparian area development permit, according to Jeannette Nadon, communications and grants coordinator for the SLRD.
“The SLRD hasn’t received a permit application for either. The SLRD has advised Sea to Sky Gondola of the permit requirements,” she said.
Bylaw enforcement is at the discretion of the regional district and so far no penalty has been imposed.
“As per our bylaw enforcement policy, the SLRD seeks voluntary compliance prior to considering other enforcement actions. The SLRD has initiated its bylaw enforcement process and is awaiting Sea to Sky Gondola’s permit application, which we anticipate will be forthcoming pending approval of its remediation plan by the province,” Nadon said.
Regarding the SLRD permits, Brown said there has been some confusion.
“The long and short of the tube park tale is that it is a jurisdictionally confusing land use scenario. The tube park is included in our management plan granted by the province for which we have a permit,” he said.
“That being said, we’re taking all the measures necessary to be responsible in how we develop these additional activities. In this case we have some additional work to do to re-establish a riparian area at the bottom of the tube park. As soon as the province approves the plan as submitted by our environmental consultants we’ll finish up the work.”
