I sympathize with Mr. Bryne’s objection to the consultation process and the impact he believes it may have for the Garibaldi at Squamish (GAS) project. Squamish residents are no strangers to the frustrations of public consultation processes for major projects – limited or short notices, inadequate time to comment on vast volumes of information, often over holidays when folks are otherwise occupied.
Mr. Bryne’s letter brings us some valid points. How will the SLRD’s proposed amendment affect the GAS project? The ability of Squamish District and residents to have a say?
Many of the issues Mr. Bryne brings up were discussed by council and staff on Dec. 19 and can be viewed through the District website.
Discussions indicate a minimal impact on GAS – regardless of the outcome of SLRD’s proposed amendment, the province will require GAS to go through a major amendment process.
Mr. Bryne’s views on Whistler (RMOW) and Vail Resorts intentions – may or may not be true. A more important question for Squamish is perhaps, What input and say does the District of Squamish and community have going forward?
According to the ministers who approved GAS’s Environmental Assessment Certificate – a lot! Still to come – new information, public consultation processes, and local decisions.
From the ‘Reasons for Ministers Decision for the Garibaldi at Squamish Project’:
- the EA Certificate decision is just the first in a series of decisions necessary for the Project to proceed
- the Project must undergo a comprehensive Master Plan process led by the Mountain Resorts Branch(MRB)
- Through the Agreement-in Principle required for acceptance of a Master Plan by MRB, RGS amendment, boundary expansion decisions, OCPs, bylaws and other mechanisms, local governments will have a significant decision making role and influence with respect to the Project.
- issues related to viability and feasibility are more appropriately addressed through the MRB’s Master Planning process and the local government decision making processes
- these processes have the potential to significantly change the nature and scope of the Project and to prevent final approval
- uncertainty regarding viability and feasibility remains a key concern for local governments and some members of the public. However, we are confident that these subsequent processes will also address many of the issues raised during the EA which are outside the scope of the assessment, such as local government infrastructure and services, financial viability and feasibility, climate change, accommodation and housing, and local government revenues.
Garibaldi at Squamish will significantly influence Squamish’s future – for good or bad – and we all need to make informed decisions. For many, GAS is certain to be important as we seek our new local representatives in this fall’s elections. Unfortunately, with our changing population, not everyone knows a lot about it. If I could recommend one source of information, it would be the nine-page ‘Reasons for Ministers Decision for the GAS Project’ available on the BCEAO website.
Star Morris
Squamish
