The question before the Environmental Assessment Office (EAO) of the Province of British Columbia regarding the proposal to develop a 22,000-bed unit, all-season resort called Garibaldi at Squamish was essentially this: Were there were any environmental impacts that could be expected as a result of the development, and if so, were there conditions that could be put in place that would prevent or reduce the potential environmental, heritage or health impacts of the project?
The opinion of the EAO is in the affirmative. “The EA certificate includes enforceable conditions and specifies the project design parameters. These give us confidence to conclude, within the scope of our statutory decision authority, and with regard to the reasons set out in this document, that the project will be constructed, operated and decommissioned in a way that no significant adverse effects within the context of EAO’s consideration are likely to occur.”
Outside of those limited considerations, specifically on the issue of socio-economic effects of the project, the EAO was unable to reach a definitive conclusion on the potential for significant adverse effects. Similarly for Highway 99 traffic impacts, “there is a low level of certainty regarding the potential for future effects.” Given all the variables for growth in the Sea to Sky in general and Squamish in particular, these are understandable conclusions.
The path to resolving these outstanding issues involves the project undergoing a comprehensive master plan process, which is led by the Mountain Resorts Branch of the Ministry of Forests Lands and Natural Resources, as required under the provincial All Seasons Resort Policy.
But before the Mountain Resorts Branch can accept any application, a major amendment to the regional growth strategy would be required. A regional growth strategy (RGS) is a local government strategic plan to promote human settlement that is socially, economically and environmentally healthy and that makes efficient use of public facilities, land and other resources. A major amendment to a RGS requires unanimous agreement from all regional district member jurisdictions as well as adjacent regional districts. In the event that an amendment is agreed to, then the project would be required to be endorsed by one of the two local governments. Either the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District or the District of Squamish would have to be supportive of approving the project within their jurisdiction in order for the Resorts Branch to even consider the application.
The RGS amendment and a subsequent potential boundary extension are two very involved public processes. Some 18 years into this long journey for the developer, it is clear that any advancement of this proposal is very much in the hands of local government. Given the various and recent resolutions of local councils and boards, it is clear that the proponent has some serious work to do if they hope to ever break ground. It would be something of a surprise if the next iteration of Garibaldi at Squamish does not emerge in the 2018 municipal elections as an issue for community debate.
