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PoCo, British Columbia
Canada
216 Posts |
Posted - 10/15/2004 : 01:59 AM
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If that land is over developed we are just going to see what is happening in the lower mainland with the bear population. Bears will wander into the village and be shot because they are "ravaging" the tourists and the homes. More bears will be shot and the people there will think they had to do it in self defense....what the heck do they think is going to happen when they build on virgin land.
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How do i sign this thing???? |
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398 Posts |
Posted - 10/15/2004 : 07:55 AM
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"Development of the resort now depends on regional pro-development authorities who are widely expected to rubber stamp the project.
The location of the resort is the big problem. It will bring thousands of people into an area directly adjacent to a pristine alpine pass, which is bookended by clearcuts to the east and west. The resort, if built, would complete the barrier; limiting the critical north-south movement of animals that shun human habitation such as caribou, grizzly bear, wolverine and others, in the Purcell Mountains. The resort is a biological catastrophe.
Dr. Brian Horejsi, a grizzly bear expert, has reported that the resort would increase local grizzly bear deaths by between 500 to 1100%. Furthermore, just two weeks ago the Forest Practices Board issued a report stating that the provincial government was not doing enough to prevent the pending extinction of mountain caribou in the region. The mountain caribou herd immediately south of the proposed Jumbo ski resort has only about 40 animals remaining and the herd immediately to the northwest has only 70 animals remaining, down from 240 in 1996. "This decision sends a strong message to the Federal Government that BC does not care about extinction, and does not heed federal endangered species legislation," said Miller. "
http://media.wildernesscommittee.org/news/2004/10/1008.php |
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 Kootenay Bud
2695 Posts |
Posted - 10/27/2004 : 12:07 PM
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It's hard to decify what the latest BC government decision on Jumbo really means. What is extremely annoying are the falsifications promoted by the EAO that all outstanding issues have been dealt with. Two of three First Nations bands are still opposed, and the band that is in support does not actually have tribal lands in the area. Plus, the only "mitigation" strategy the proponent could offer to offset effects on the Grizzly Bear is the closure of 4,000 square km of public land.
Our local group, and our partner group on the east side of the Kootenays have not given up. For those interested, below is our press release:
For Immediate Release
Oct. 16, 2004
GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCEMENT NOT A GREEN LIGHT FOR JUMBO
Reacting to the BC government’s announcement that the Jumbo Glacier Resort Project has completed the environmental assessment phase, local Jumbo Wild activists expressed disappointment. “The project should have failed on its significant regional environmental and social impacts,” stressed Kootenay Mountaineering Club spokesman Kim Kratky.
However, the announcement by Minister of Sustainable Resource Management Mr. George Abbott on Tuesday, Oct. 14th, that the Jumbo Glacier Resort Project has now completed the environmental assessment phase does not indicate the project has been approved. Kratky, also speaking for West Kootenay Coalition for Jumbo Wild, points out that the government’s press release is titled “Province says ultimate Jumbo decision up to Region.” The Liberal government announced that the Jumbo project would require the final approval of the Regional District of the East Kootenay, which would be asked to rule on re-zoning of the resort’s landbase. Kratky cited Abbott’s statement that, “The government recognizes that there are strongly held views surrounding this project. The final decision will be in the hands of those closest to the project. Those who will benefit most directly and who most directly understand the costs will have the final say here. The project would not be able to proceed without the approval of the East Kootenay Regional District.” Abbott also promised in an interview on CBC Radio’s “Almanac” that the government would not invoke the controversial Bill 75 to override a decision made at the local level.
In general, Kratky felt the provincial government had passed the buck to local government lacking expertise in dealing with megaprojects. “It seems as if the government didn’t want to say “no,” and perhaps discourage international investors; yet it didn’t want to say “yes” in face of powerful opposition among Kootenay voters.”
Kratky pointed out that local Jumbo Wild volunteers await the release of the Environmental Assessment Office’s report so as to examine the way sensitive issues have been dealt with. “Our strong suit in the West Kootenay has been technical analysis, especially of grizzly bear habitat, water quality, and road construction and maintenance. Our biologists and technicians look forward to scrutinizing the document to see if our very real concerns have been addressed.”
Kratky further commented on a recent statement by Mr. Grant Costello, Vice-President of Jumbo Glacier Resort. Costello said in the Nelson Daily News on October 15th that requesting a re-zoning of the resort land by the RDEK “could be an endless process” and that the JGR would likely apply to the provincial government for a special “Resort District/Municipality” status. This would allow the proponent to bypass approval by local government. Kratky observed that, “The proponent is trying to put the best spin on news that isn’t particularly heartening to him. Of course he would want to avoid dealing with people opposed to the project.” Citing the government’s press release touting local control, Kratky asked, “Why would the government emphatically state the decision will be made locally and then allow the proponent to bypass this process? It just doesn’t make sense and would severely damage the government’s credibility with voters.”
Jumbo Wild volunteers also contended that the EAO document, as reported in the press, does not resolve the issues of road closure, tenure conflict with RK Heli Ski, and documented opposition by the Ktunaxa/Kinbasket Tribal Council. According to the activists, failure to settle any one of these contentious issues would be enough to scuttle the resort.
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 Buntzen roving stealthy beer mule and artist, aspiring weird image findmaster who loves BC
lower mainland
Canada
1647 Posts |
Posted - 10/27/2004 : 12:34 PM
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| Great press release there Sandy. Did it get into the Sun and Province or was it primarily for the local media? |
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Maple Ridge, BC
Canada
773 Posts |
Posted - 10/27/2004 : 1:07 PM
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Two questions:
1. Are the native tribes against it on environmental grounds or are they looking for a pay out?
2. Is the NDP actually against this resort or will they just avoid making the decision much like the liberals have done. There is an election this spring so this could become a campaign issue.
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http://groups.msn.com/DavidKarensHikingPage |
Edited by - David and Karen on 10/28/2004 7:55 PM |
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Kootenay Bud
2695 Posts |
Posted - 10/28/2004 : 12:18 PM
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bclover: I think something got into the Province, but it is real hard for us to get anything into the lower Mainland media. No offense to Lower Mainland residents, but it's a bit like anything east of Hope is non-existent (particularly in our seldom travelled corridor of the Kootenays).
The First Nations are not looking for a "pay-out". They have serious environmental concerns about this development and are strongly opposed to any further development in the area.
The NDP was involved in the Jumbogate scandal. They were encouraging the developer behind closed doors while pretending to conduct an objective environmental and social review. See this review on Jumbogate: http://www.canadiandimension.mb.ca/archive/32_6_p8.htm
Rumour is that the BC govt could be open to a lawsuit should they say no to Jumbo after all these years of covertly encouraging the developer.
I doubt this will be an election issue. Too few people outside of our region know or care about Jumbo, and most Interior ridings are lost to the Liberals anyway. We are small beans in the face of the Lower Mainland population whose election issues are about education and health care and not environmental policies.
The irony is that a major ski resort about one hour from Calgary (Fortress - coincidentally one of the few that actually get decent natural snow) won't be opening at all this year as they are unable to make a quid. But, then Jumbo has never really been about skiing anyway - it's about pricey real estate. |
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43 Posts |
Posted - 10/29/2004 : 6:09 PM
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1. Fernie is still hopefully going to open on Dec 10 (tentative)according to their website.
2. Jumob is a go, it passed quite a few weeks ago, surprised you guys never knew about it. It is a shame that it is prime grizzly habitat, but i guess money has more say than common sense. |
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Buntzen roving stealthy beer mule and artist, aspiring weird image findmaster who loves BC
lower mainland
Canada
1647 Posts |
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Kootenay Bud
2695 Posts |
Posted - 10/29/2004 : 7:16 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by ranger_eric
1. Fernie is still hopefully going to open on Dec 10 (tentative)according to their website.
2. Jumob is a go, it passed quite a few weeks ago, surprised you guys never knew about it. It is a shame that it is prime grizzly habitat, but i guess money has more say than common sense.
Fernie is opening, but Fortress is, apparently, no longer economically viable (bizaare that Nakiska is being expanded as they get virtually no snow).
Jumbo ain't a done deal. |
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Kootenay Bud
2695 Posts |
Posted - 11/11/2004 : 7:11 PM
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Send your NO to Jumbo to:
Bob Whetham, Manager of Planning & Development
Services at email: bwhetham@rdek.bc.ca
Thankyou
Note that the developer is now planning to discourage hiking anywhere else but on the new trail he is building from the resort area to Glacier Dome, thus BC's public land may not really be for the public. |
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opinionated-stove huggin'-fleece wearin'-arse burnin' hill virgin
Here
Canada
4642 Posts |
Posted - 11/12/2004 : 01:47 AM
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I wasn't impressed with Fortress. It's a long drive for a rustic ski hill where the lifts are ancient and the ski runs are too short., especially with many of the other mega resorts like Nakiska etc closer. Fortress reminded me of Powder King in Pine Pass...a long dangerous winter drive for great powder but very little amenities.
With Panorama and Fernie in the east Kootenays, Kicking Horse to the north, and Red Mountain central, is there a need for another ski resort in the Kootenays?
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"My name is Hiker Boy and I approved this message" |
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Last chance for Jumbo
