Kim Thompson
Whistler Question
The provincial government may have enacted Bill 30 but the Squamish Lillooet Regional District (SLRD) is not giving up."We have agreed to continue our effort to suggest that Bill 30 should be repealed, which is the best way to ensure that local governments have meaningful input," Whistler Mayor Ken Melamed said after Monday's (Nov. 27) regular SLRD board meeting.In April 2003, a rezoning application for the Ashlu IPP was submitted by Ledcor Inc. and subsequently denied by the SLRD. A second rezoning application was submitted in 2005, which was deferred pending the completion of a regional energy strategy. The Province subsequently enacted Bill 30, which prevents local government zoning actions from superseding or impairing decisions of the province regarding IPP development on Crown land.
Richard Neufeld, Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, finally responded to the SLRD after several letters and emails. In his letter, Neufeld suggested the amendment does not eliminate local government involvement and engagement in IPP approval processes. He said the province wishes to continue to have local consultation with communities similar to the processes currently used.
In response to provincial correspondence, the board advised the minister that it wanted a "local project review committee" established for any IPPs within the SLRD. The board also advised the Minister that it wants to see water reserves put in place on 10 priority streams and the Minister provide detailed comments on the intended process for local government in IPP review and approval processes.
"I think it is a very positive step in terms of trying to get clarification on certain issues with IPPs," said Squamish Mayor Ian Sutherland.
The board also requested that the Minister provide a copy of a guidebook for local government and general public that summarizes the current IPP review and approval process.
"Now it's up to us to follow up on correspondence. It's an opportunity for consultation and the development of guidelines for developing IPPs. We intend to work with the Ministry on all those things," Melamed said.
In the meantime, the controversial Ashlu IPP is moving ahead. SLRD staff has obtained verbal confirmation from the provincial government that the SLRD still has the power to regulate temporary use permits for IPPs. Temporary use permit applications have been submitted to the SLRD by Ashlu Creek Investments.
The board has identified that some of the proposed industrial activities such as tunnel waste rock disposal are not consistent with the current permitted uses on approximately 71 acres of Crown land. The SLRD board deferred the issue and will consider the temporary use permits at the next board meeting after the permits are advertised in local newspapers.
At this time, SLRD staff doesn't know whether there are pubic concerns on activities proposed within temporary use areas. During the rezoning process for the Ashlu IPP, public input was focused on the project itself. The newspaper advertisements will allow the public to express opinions before decisions are made.
Sea to Sky Trail update
The vision of the Sea to Sky Trail includes the creation of a multi-use mountain bike trail connecting Pemberton, Whistler and Squamish. The project is mammoth undertaking and has been in the works for years.
The average cost for the trail will be about $20,000 per kilometre and the route is 190 kilometres on paper. The grand total is $5 million with potential funds coming from the private and public sectors. Instead of running ahead with construction, the SLRD passed a motion on Monday to ensure that due diligence is completed.
SLRD staff has been instructed to work with provincial and other agencies to clarify potential issues before making decisions about the trail.
The Sea to Sky Trail initiative has the potential to create a windfall of benefits. These advantages include environmental benefits of fostering stewardship through exposure, and ecological educational opportunities. Social benefits include a public safety with a route that links communities while avoiding the highway.
