The proposal is a long-term development that will be built in phases over more than 20 years. The resort development plan has been revised recently through consultations with the public and government agencies, and GAS Inc. has made the following key changes to the project:
• removed two-18 hole golf courses proposed adjacent to the Cat and Brohm Lake recreation areas;
• removed resort development areas 1, 3, 4 and 13 from the resort base development plans, reducing the project area and footprint by approximately 2,100 hectares;
• changed to a groundwater water supply for the resort instead of withdrawing surface water from the Brohm River system, which means reduced risk of impacts to fish habitat;
• removed five previously planned surface water storage reservoirs and two snowmaking reservoirs and associated infrastructure; one snowmaking reservoir and dam is now proposed;
• changed the access to the resort from Highway 99, thereby reducing the overall length of the access road and potential for traffic disruptions to the Cat Lake and Brohm Lake recreation areas.
GAS Inc. will also commit to enhance water flows in Swift Creek to enhance fish habitat, participate in other stewardship opportunities. We will continue to work with the Paradise Valley residents to ensure their current water supply is unaffected by the development of the proposed resort groundwater water supply.
The 2003 project application is being reviewed by the Environmental Assessment Office under the British Columbia environmental assessment process. In 2010, the provincial government ordered GAS Inc. to undertake further assessment to consider the potential effects of the project and project changes.
This most recent assessment, provided in a supplemental application, was completed and submitted to the Environmental Assessment Office on May 1. The application demonstrates that, with the recent changes to the project, and implementation of mitigation measures and environmental management plans, the resort can be constructed without creating significant adverse environmental effects. This is a key finding and it is in keeping with GAS Inc.’s and the Squamish Nation’s proposed sustainable development approach and best management practices.
If the project’s application for an environmental assessment certificate is successful, GAS Inc. will next be required to develop a detailed master plan for review by the B.C. government, local governments and Squamish Nation. That review process will include an additional opportunity for public comment.
We encourage the public to review the revised plans. We have listened to the concerns raised and incorporated a number of design changes to the project. We will continue to listen to all parties involved and will make every effort to make this project a sustainable and green all-season mountain resort.
David Negrin, CEO
Garibaldi at Squamish Inc.
