Summerland council, business angry over gravel pit mine approval

The anger among community and business leaders in Summerland, B.C., is palpable after the provincial government announced its tentative approval of a controversial gravel pit mining operation in the Garnet Valley.

Summerland Mayor Doug Holmes and local Chamber of Commerce executive director Sally Pierce say they don't understand how an inspector from the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation could approve such a project and have sent letters to that effect to the provincial government.

"It doesn't make a lot of sense to me," said Holmes. "The number one concern is the environmental impact would be immense."

He said the B.C. Wildlife Federation has made it clear the proposed site is located in the middle of a long-established habitat for deer, bighorn sheep, mule deer and numerous other species.

The area is also popular with climbers, hikers, mountain bikers and all kinds of other outdoor enthusiasts, he said.

"The idea of hikers and bikers having to dodge huge gravel trucks makes absolutely no sense at all. The roads leading up to the site are long and narrow and there are many concerns about whether huge gravel trucks would be able to drive on the roads that now exist."

LISTEN | Summerland mayor unhappy with gravel pit approval:

Daybreak South7:34The Mayor of Summerland says he's not happy the province has approved a gravel pit mine in his community.

The Mayor of Summerland says he's not happy the province has approved a gravel pit mine in his community.

A key portion of the Trails of the Okanagan, a project to connect 370 kilometres of trails and parks from Sicamous to the U.S. border, is also located close to the proposed site. The tourism-based project has the capacity to draw tens of thousands of tourists to the southern Interior and Okanagan Valley for generations to come and simply doesn't mix with a gravel pit operation, said Holmes.

"I just don't get it," he said. 

Meeting requested

Holmes has sent a letter to Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation Minister Josie Osborne voicing his and council's concerns.

He has also requested a face-to-face meeting at the upcoming Union of B.C. Municipalities annual conference in mid-September.

CBC requested an interview with Osborne, but her office said she did not have time. However, the ministry said  Osborne "will be responding to the Mayor of Summerland's letter shortly."

The ministry also said the approval of the Garnet Valley Road Pit came after a "rigorous" review, adding that the ministry believes the review did consider the needs of local residents and the environment.

The issue is on the agenda for Tuesday's regular meeting of council, said Holmes.

In a referral letter to the ministry, dated Jan. 24, 2024, the District of Summerland strongly recommended refusal of the application to open the gravel pit, citing numerous environmental, zoning, safety, infrastructure, economic and cultural concerns.

"Garnet Valley is known for its sensitive ecosystems, agriculture, agri-tourism and recreational values," Holmes said, "Those of us who live in Summerland know this is the wrong place for a gravel pit."

'Strange decision':

Chamber of Commerce executive director Pierce said she agreed with Holmes's assessment of the government decision.

"It truly doesn't make any sense," she said. "I literally don't know anyone who supports this. It's a very strange decision, to be honest."

Pierce also sent a letter to the provincial government stating her concerns about the gravel pit approval and the vehement opposition to it in and around Summerland.

The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen (RDOS) has also submitted a referral recommending refusal.

In a news release, Destination Summerland and the Summerland Chamber of Commerce announced they are jointly disappointed the provincial government appears to be moving ahead with the gravel pit project.

"From a tourism perspective, the peaceful Garnet Valley is an important recreational and tourist destination as it connects to the historic Fur Brigade Trail and provides the only connection between Peachland and Summerland for the emerging continuous hiking and biking trail from Sicamous to Osoyoos, known as the Trail of the Okanagans," states the letter.

"This critical initiative is a world-class tourism-related project positioning the Okanagan on the world stage at a time when tourism numbers are down, and hospitality businesses are suffering."

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