This letter was copied to The Chief for publication.
Mayor Greg Gardner, District of Squamish council, Minister of Environment Barry Penner and Joan McIntyre,
I am a resident of Squamish and I do not support GAS (Garibaldi at Squamish).
I work in the tourism industry and I feel that this project is wrong for our local existing tourism providers.
We are trying to establish ourselves as year round travel destinations at a time when the U.S. market is hurting (as reflected by lower U.S. tourists in B.C.), at a time when the Canadian government announced that Mexicans now need a visa to come to Canada and at a time when many hotels, restaurants and activity providers are suffering from low sales.
Someone is not doing the math on this project or there are short-sighted individuals seeking money from real estate profits.
We do not need to add another resort community to the mix.
Also, from an environmental perspective, this project is very wrong. A massive ski resort proposal near Squamish would threaten the quality of life for area residents, recreation opportunities, fisheries, wildlife and the environment.
The planned development would cover an area roughly half the size of Squamish.
Nearly 50 local businesses, conservationists, and recreation interests, including snowmobilers, dirt bikers, anglers and rock climbers oppose the GAS project.
Our list is growing. Our community does not support GAS.
Deanna Bell
Squamish
