Fishing with Rod Discussion Forum
Fishing in British Columbia => Fishing-related Issues & News => Topic started by: Sea-Run Fly & Tackle on October 21, 2008, 09:03:04 PM
-
Hello all. This is something that some you you may already be aware of, for those that don't here is a brief summary of the potential disaster looming for steelhead and salmon in the Cheakamus river. There is a proposed development of a golf course, 60 condo (i believe this number to be correct) and ski resort right on Brohm river crossing it if i remember correctly 40 plus times (the river is only 4km long). This development would mean a certain end for an already decimated run of steelhead in the Cheakamus. A very large majority of the few remaining steelhead as well as coho and a few other salmonids including cutthroat trout utilize the extremely nutrient rich habitat in Brohm River. In a nut shell the problem this development creates is this: Water will be drawn out of the river, a problem this system already faces from a damn on its main flow the Cheakamus. Amazingly enough fish need water to survive it is predicted that the mid to late summer flows could be reduced up to 62%. Fertilizer from the golf course will run off into Brohm. Being an incrediably nutrient rich system already it would essentially suffocate all life in this river. The fish in the Cheakamus have been dealt enough hardships in the last 20 years with other habitat loss, water management problems from BC hydro, the caustic soda spill in 2005..which has resulted in a reasonable amount of funding for projects to help fish out in this area. A development like this must be fought against!!! I have started a petition at Sea-Run Fly and Tackle, Highwater Tackle in North Van. and will be contacting other tackle shops tomorrow I will update as necc. I am also accepting e-mail letters of support to my email address brian_braidwood@hotmail.com I also have an e-mail that I am more than happy to forward to any wanting to review of a more detailed outline of what is proposed in Squamish. One of the e-mails also contains a link to a website for public opinions on this project it is a government website. I have been told by Rod Clapton of the British Columbia Federation of Driftfishers that response on this site is very valuable. For any one helping out by signing a petition via e-mail please include your name and address and a brief comment on your views. Thank you very much to anyone who has the time to help with this.
Brian Braidwood
President Kingfishers Rod and Gun Club
-
Brian, email sent, in case hotmail filtered my email address into junkmail.
-
e-mail sent
-
email,sent.
-
Get a petition up to Whistler Fly fishing. Im sure they would help!
-
Here's the official website from the developer's http://www.garibaldiatsquamish.com/
I found it rather vague regarding the environmental issues and concerns surrounding this project ::) The site looks like a vacation package brochure, nice and glossy with stock photos. Here's a good article highlighting some of the impacts of this project http://www.ubc-voc.com/wiki/Brohm_Ridge_Ski_Development
Brian you should contact "Save Our Rivers!" Facebook group http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=5680590325 , over 3500 members strong who will petition against this project. You may also want to contact the "BC Creek Protection Society" , http://www.bc-creeks.org/ who's purpose is "
To protect free flowing natural watercourses in Canada, particularly British Columbia, as part of an ecologically unique systems of societal significance."
I will get together a letter when I gather up the necessary info I need ;)
-
Please take the time to sign Brian's petition to stop the "Garibaldi at Squamish" (GAS) project at the following locations: Sea Run Fly & Tackle, Fred's Custom Tackle, Berry's Bait and Tackle, Michael and Young fly Shop, Hatch Match'r, Pacific Angler, Hub Sports, Whistler Flyfishing and Riverside Fly and Tackle. This only takes just a few minutes :)
The GAS project is currently being reviewed by the Environmental Assessment Office of BC. You can submit comments and letters to:
Graeme McLaren
Project Assessment Director
Environmental Assessment Office
PO Box 9426 Stn Prov Govt, Victoria BC, V8W 9V1
or email to eaoinfo@gov.bc.ca with heading "Garibaldi at Squamish"
There's also an online petition from the group "Save Garibaldi" found on their site http://savegaribaldi.org/
This project needs to be stopped. Thanks.
Carlo
-
Don't forget in Mid May there is an election as well.
-
I think the developer was referring to all the green he will make.
-
e-mail sent
-
email sent
-
Excerpt copied and pasted from the Vancouver Sun...
Brohm River is described in the report as "unique" in its exceptional ability to support young steelhead before their migration to the ocean -- five times as productive for fish as a typical B.C. south coast river.
A report commissioned by the B.C. Conservation Foundation, paid for with money from sport fishing licence sales, says the Brohm's remarkable stream chemistry is the key.
The Brohm, one of two main steelhead nurseries for the Squamish River system, enjoys a naturally high level of phosphorus because of the volcanic geology of the area. That chemical supports an ideal food chain for raising fish.
Only two other B.C. streams, the Upper Dean River and the Blackwater River, have similar chemistry and both of those rank among the top angling streams on the planet.
The Garibaldi At Squamish development is proposed for the stream's headwaters at Brohm Ridge and includes extensive water management plans, including up to five dams, extractions of water for snowmaking, golf course irrigation and potable water supply, storm water and sewage discharge, plus resort development that includes hotels, condominiums and other homes with a combined 22,000 bed units.
The report, written by former B.C. government steelhead biologist Pat Slaney, says the project would need to bring water in from another source to augment local resources to "ensure that a water demand-fish flow crisis does not develop over time." The report also suggests that fertilizer runoff from the golf courses, and chemicals used in snow-making, could unbalance the stream's beneficial chemistry.
The project was first submitted to the province's Environmental Assessment Office in 1997 and resubmitted in 2007.
The assessment is now on hiatus while the proponents develop more data on the hydrology of the area, and is not expected to resume until January 2009.
Craig Orr, executive director of Watershed Watch Salmon Society, said it is "ironic" that the proposal is being examined at a time when the government is promoting its new Living Water Smart program including conservation and protection of streams and lakes.
This project would be a hammerblow to the Brohm ! 22,000 bed units and a golf course! Let's hope today's financial market puts a cooler on this. I have little faith that our govt. will turn it down.
-
Received this afternoon.
Just for your interest, Global News will be doing a
feature tonight on the current effort to protect
Brohm Creek near Squamish (the most productive
steelhead stream in BC in terms of densities of fish).
If not planned correctly, Brohm Creek could be significantly
affected by the massive proposed "Garibaldi at Squamish"
all-season resort. Excessive water extraction is a
particular concern.
Mark Angelo of the BCIT Fish and Wildlife Program
and Al Lill of Living Rivers are interviewed.
Watch Global/BCTV News tonight at 6:00 pm.
-
It wasn't aired tonight. I've been told that it is postponed to Wednesday now.
-
If you've sent in an email, please copy and paste it in your post. You don't have to include your name on the bottom, just replace it with "concerned citizen".
-
A copy of my letter. I do not know if it helps at all. If anybody know what else could be done, please let me know.
"The Squamish Valley already suffered a lot from human activities. Extensive historical logging greatly reduced fish spawning and rearing habitats leading to a dramatic decrease in salmon and steelhead stocks. In the last few years, human assault multiplied. In 2005, 40,000 litres of caustic soda were spilled in the Cheakamus river. In 2006, it was 30,000 litres of oil in the Squamish estuary. In 2007, it was the diversion of Ashlu creek, a major Squamish tributary, to produce electricity. And what is next? A golf and ski resort that will destroy the only remaining highly productive tributary of the Valley! Brohm creek is not just a creek like another; it is the major spawning and rearing ground of the Cheakamus steelheads. As noted in the 2008 Sea to Sky Land and Resource Management Plan (http://ilmbwww.gov.bc.ca/slrp/lrmp/), Brohm Creek is a very important stream for steelhead restoration and enhancement. On a Sea to Sky Land and Resource Management Plan consultation draft published in 2006, it was noted: “The lower reaches of Brohm Creek are a very high priority for restoration of endangered steelhead populations. Maintain water quality and volumes to minimize impacts to fish, consistent with steelhead restoration efforts. Do not remove water or discharge water back into Brohm Creek.” How does the development of the Garibaldi at Squamish Resort fulfill these requirements? Do the proponents of the project agree not to remove or discharge water into Brohm Creek? The productivity of a stream is determined by its chemistry and by the stream bed composition which strongly depend on the soil composition, the flow of the water, the riparian vegetation, and, of course, on the absence of chemical pollution. I urge the proponent of the Garibaldi at Squamish Resort project to demonstrate that the development and activities of the Resort will not spoil the chemical composition of the water. How are the chemicals used on the golf courses and the sewage going to affect the chemical composition of the water? How are these chemical modifications going to affect the insect life necessary to the rearing of young salmonids? The development of the Resort will be associated with important modifications of the vegetation surrounding Brohm creek. Logging and other modifications of the vegetation surrounding a stream are responsible for excessive erosion and greatly facilitate flooding events, resulting in the plugging and destruction of fish spawning ground. The proponent of the Garibaldi at Squamish Resort should demonstrate that their project is not going alter the quality of the river bed. How will the river bed be protected against excessive flooding and sediment accumulation?
Ironically enough, Brohm creek steelheads compose the only Cheakamus steelhead sub-population not eradicated by the 2005 caustic soda spill, and they are now under death sentence… Each steelhead population is unique, when they have not been exterminated, they are struggling to survive. Steelheads are the canaries of the coal mines of British Columbia rivers. We have already lost too many populations; we cannot afford to lose the Cheakamus steelheads.
Sadly,
a concerned individual"
I am not even a citizen...
-
I've had some correspondence with Squamish Streamkeepers recently. Here's the group's response regarding the issue.
The Squamish Streamkeepers oppose the Garibaldi at Squamish (GAS) development mainly because we think it will wreck Brohm Creek. 22,000 bed units plus water for two golf courses plus water for snow making is too much quantitative demand on Brohm Creek. There is no aquifer; predominate volcanic rock allows the groundwater to flow to China. To make DFO and MoE pay attention to this GAS travesty we have given Greg Wilson of MoE and Pat Slaney a tour of the Brohm system so that they will help us restock the system with Coho. They are interested. And once this happens, I hope and trust the powers that be will take more ownership of Brohm Creek and deny GAS their development.
-
The news feature has been postponed to tonight (Friday 14th) on Global at 6:00pm.
-
I've had some correspondence with Squamish Streamkeepers recently. Here's the group's response regarding the issue.
The Squamish Streamkeepers oppose the Garibaldi at Squamish (GAS) development mainly because we think it will wreck Brohm Creek. 22,000 bed units plus water for two golf courses plus water for snow making is too much quantitative demand on Brohm Creek. There is no aquifer; predominate volcanic rock allows the groundwater to flow to China. To make DFO and MoE pay attention to this GAS travesty we have given Greg Wilson of MoE and Pat Slaney a tour of the Brohm system so that they will help us restock the system with Coho. They are interested. And once this happens, I hope and trust the powers that be will take more ownership of Brohm Creek and deny GAS their development.
FYI, DFO has not yet triggered a Canadian Environmental Impact Assessment with regards to this development and its impacts, but MoE has.
-
Hello everyone,
I have some information that I wanted to pass along to all that may be interested. On October 27, 2008, a Global News reporter accompanied a number environmental organizations on Brohm River to discuss and bring attention to the potential impacts of the Garibaldi At Squamish proposed development. The story has been delayed a few times but is supposed to air tonight on the 6:00pm Global TV News.
If you know of anyone else that may be interested in this story, please feel free to spread the word.
Sincerely,
-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2zT3N7-wY4
-
Saw it on the news today, hope everything works out for the best :-\
-
Saw it on the news today, hope everything works out for the best :-\
I would not count on it the way some governments and some agencies as well have been handling environmental issues on many of our rivers. :'(
-
sent to me today.....
Environmental Assessment of the Proposed
Garibaldi at Squamish Project
Invitation to Comment and Open House
Garibaldi at Squamish Inc. (Proponent) is proposing to construct and operate an all-seasons destination ski resort at Brohm Ridge near Squamish, B.C. The Garibaldi at Squamish Project (proposed Project) would have 25 ski lifts on 124 developed ski trails servicing up to 1,200 hectares of skiable terrain. In addition, two golf courses, and both private and commercial accommodations are planned.
The proposed Project is subject to review under British Columbia’s Environmental Assessment Act (Act). The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and the Arts (MTCA) is harmonizing its review of the Master Plan for the proposed Project with the environmental assessment under the Act.
The Proponent has submitted Addendum #3 as supplementary information to its application for an environmental assessment certificate, which is required before any work can be undertaken on the proposed Project. The Proponent has also submitted supplementary information, Addendum #1 to its Resort Master Plan.
There is a 30-day public comment period during which the Environmental Assessment Office (EAO) and MTCA will accept comments on the supplementary information for proposed Project. The intention of seeking public comments is to ensure that all potential effects – environment, economic, social, heritage and health – that may result from the proposed Project are identified for consideration as part of the environmental assessment process and Master Plan review.
The comment period will begin on June 19, 2009 and end at midnight on July 19, 2009.
In order to provide information to the public about this supplementary information and to receive comments from
the public, the EAO in conjunction with MTCA invites the public to attend an Open House to be held:
at: Sea to Sky Hotel
Sea to Sky Ballroom
40330 Tantalus Way
Squamish (Garibaldi Highlands), B.C.
on: Wednesday June 24, 2009
from: 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Starting at 6:30 p.m. there will be presentations by the EAO, MTCA, and the Proponent. The public will be provided with an opportunity to ask questions on the supplementary information.
Please submit your written comments at the Open House or send your comments to:
Graeme McLaren, Project Assessment Director
Environmental Assessment Office
PO Box 9426 Stn Prov Govt
Victoria, BC V8W 9V1
Fax 250 387-2208
Comments by e-mail may be directed to eaoinfo@gov.bc.ca; please use “Garibaldi at Squamish” in the subject line.
An electronic copy of the Environmental Assessment Application Addendum #3 and Master Plan Addendum #1 and information regarding the environmental assessment process is available at www.eao.gov.bc.ca. Information regarding the Master Plan review process is available at www.tca.gov.bc.ca/resort_development/rules/policies.htm. Copies of EA Addendum #3 and MP Addendum #1 are also available for viewing at the Squamish Library.
NOTE: All submissions received by the EAO during the comment period in relation to the proposed Project are considered public and will be posted to the EAO website. If you do not want to have your name posted to the EAO website, please indicate this with your submission and your comments will be kept confidential
-
http://www.fishingwithrod.com/yabbse/index.php?topic=19017.0
Every few months they keep trying. :-\
-
The environment assessment office is accepting public comments about this proposed project before July 19th! To do so, you have to download the PDF file on this page (http://www.garibaldiatsquamish.com/news/garibaldi-squamish-public-comment-form), print it, fill it out and mail it in.
I've put together a blog entry on what I think is being lost:
http://www.fishingwithrod.com/blog/?p=127
For anyone who does not have a printer, we are going to have forms available at Fish for the Future (http://For anyone who does not have a printer, we are going to have forms available at FIsh for the Future) on Saturday July 11th. You can come by, enjoy socializing with your fellow fishers, fill out the form and we'll mail it in for you.
If you have enjoyed the fishing in the Squamish River system, please do this for the river, its fish and you.
-
Thank you everybody for your efforts to draw attention to the GAS Project. I am going to e-mail the project assessment director and sign the petition at High Water Tackle in North Van. I have lived and fished and cherished this region all my life and enough is enough when it comes to the reckless stewardship of this environment. I was thinking that there must be some fellow fishermen who are Lawyers, would there be an avenue here to pursue? Also this is not the first time a development in the Brohm ridge area has been proposed. I can recall this ugly prospect rearing it's head a number of times over the decades only to be quashed every time, however the proponents seam more determined this time. Thanks again for your good work.
James Miller
-
Email from Edith Tobe in Squamish this morning.
As many of you are aware there is a proposal to develop Brohm Ridge, Cat Lake, and Brohm Lake for the Garibaldi at Squamish all season resort. The impacts from this development on Brohm Creek will be irreversible and devastating. It is doubtful that the Brohm Creek steelhead populations will survive this type of development which will dramatically reduce the quality and quantity of water feeding Brohm Creek/ River.
We would like you to take a look through the attached posters and letter. If you support the Save Garibaldi (www.savegaribaldi.org) cause and would like to add your name to the list to protect this important waterway and resource please e-mail myself (srws@shaw.ca) or Catherine Jackson (cjj@sfu.ca ) to add your name to this letter.
We will be sending all our concerns and correspondence to the District of Squamish local municipality, and, more importantly, to our provincial government.
We need to hear from the fishing and angling communities as well as the outdoor recreation groups and any and all people who question the location of Garibaldi at Squamish and what it will do to our natural habitat!!
Edith B. Tobe, RPBio
Executive Director
Squamish River Watershed Society
Box 1791, Squamish, BC
V8B 0B3
604-898-9171; fax: 604-898-9161
I've included the files she sent in the following links:
Poster (http://"http://www.fishingwithrod.com/fishy_news/file/090706-1.pdf")
Seton and Anderson Lakes Kokanee and Char Assessment (http://"http://www.fishingwithrod.com/fishy_news/file/090706-2.pdf")
Signed letter of opposition (http://"http://www.fishingwithrod.com/fishy_news/file/090706-1.doc")
-
E-mail sent to the Project Assessment Director;G.A.S. Project
From: Jamie Miller (jimmywits@hotmail.com)
Sent: July 6, 2009 11:16:00 AM
To: eaoinfo@gov.bc.ca
Dear Sir or Ms,
I am writing you today to implore you to not permit this development going forward in this location. I am certain I need not cover in detail the hazards to the well being of Brohm creek that this project poses. However I think there is an aspect to this matter, which should be considered very carefully by all those involved in the issuance of any favorable assessment towards development. The fact is there will defiantly be discernable damage done to this watershed specifically Brohm creek. There will be ongoing testing of water samples from now on. When the damage is detected in the laboratories (of which there will be more than one) there is going to be serious career ending ramifications, both Politically and Professionally. I caution you all to be very carefull, and do the responsible thing for the sake of this essential steelhead-rearing stream. This entire region has had nothing but reckless stewardship over the years and it is time to usher in a new strategy.
Regards Jimmywits
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Windows Live helps you keep up with all your friends, in one place.
-
Ive emailed Edith and Catherine on this subject.
This is an important issue. Wilderness development, especially pertaining to luxury resorts, golf etc, should not be part of our community ambitions when they take over sensitive ecological areas in great need of nurturing. The developer can say whatever he wants, this is all about money and will only have detrimental effects to the ecology of the area. Lets take a lesson from the recent catastrophe in Ucluelet with WindandSea resort that blasted and destroyed thousand of acres of pristine rock coastline and forest - then went belly up and sits like an open pit mine. Shameful and destructive.
Hello,
I am an architect, flyfisherman and urban developer opposed to this kind of development in our wilderness. This specific project is troubling especially with respect to it’s potential devastation to current waterways and simply the amount of land and wildlife displaced for luxury and economic purposes.
The current state of our environment especially related to anadromous salmonids should be considered above recreational development and profit.
In the latest update letter of June 18th, 2009 by President Mike Esler, he states “ …we are concerned the environmental issues are overtaking the economic opportunity for Squamish.” This comment speaks to the priorities of this developer. Please do not succumb to this kind of reasoning.
Sincerely,
Lucio Picciano MAIBC LEED
dlp architecture inc.
t 778.889.6849
-
TAKE ACTION FRIDAY, JULY 17: URGENT CALL-IN DAY TO STOP GARIBALDI AT SQUAMISH SKI RESORT
On July 19, the public comment period ends for the Garibaldi at Squamish (GAS) ski resort's Environmental Assessment certification application. The Environmental Assessment Office will then have 17 days to prepare a report for the provincial government, which will have 45 days to accept or reject the application.
WHAT YOU CAN DO - TWO SIMPLE PHONE CALLS TO SAVE SQUAMISH:
*FRIDAY, please call MLA Joan McIntyre to urge her to oppose the GAS resort. If you can't call, please send her an email. To contact MLA McIntyre:
Phone: 604 981-0045 (constituency); 250 953-4613 (office)
Email: joan.mcintyre.mla@leg.bc.ca
*FRUDAY, please call Minister for the Environment, the Honorable Barry Penner to urge him to reject the GAS resort. If you can't call, please send him an email. To contact the Minister:
Phone: 250-387-1187
Email: Barry.Penner@gov.bc.ca
TALKING POINTS TO USE WHEN CALLING MLA MCINTYRE AND MINISTER PENNER:
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, Garibaldi at Squamish (GAS), 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. The development would:
*Include two golf courses, 25 ski lifts, 98 km of roads, hotels, and nearly 6,000 new homes, apartments, and condominiums
*Undermine Squamish's official community plan
*Hurt small businesses by drawing consumers away from downtown
*Put Squamish residents at risk because the current plan does not account for fire protection services, hospital beds, school seats, or public transit
*Jeopardize existing recreational use and curtail current access
*Encompass land that has been identified as prime habitat for endangered or at-risk species such as peregrine falcon, wolverine, and marbled murrelet. The GAS area also includes a threatened grizzly bear population unit that has been designated for recovery by the province.
*Put public at risk by pushing bears, cougars, and other predators further into commercial and residential areas
Thanks folks!
*Adversely impact Brohm Creek, one of the most productive salmon and steelhead streams in the province. The development calls for expansive water management, including sewage and storm water discharge, irrigation for golf courses and potable water, extractions of water for snowmaking, and as many as five dams.
-
E-mails sent:
Dear Mr Penner
I am writing you today to implore you to use all your powers and influence to prevent this act of reckless stewardship from going forward. This region has had nothing but environmental turmoil taking place year after year, weather it be deliberate or accidental. I have lived and played in this region all of my life and love it dearly. I am sick and tired of watching the relentless environmental degradation, of this sector. The Idea of having another city the size of Whistler polluting the frail watershed in this area is criminal in my view. The traffic congestion presently, even with the revamped highway is often unacceptable, now they want to substantially increase it?
After the chemical spill by B.C.Rail several years ago the cheakamus river was devastated. The extent of the fish kill was pervasive, a disaster to the ecosystem not to mention a once vibrant fishery. The one positive aspect to the ordeal was that Brohm Creek(an anomaly in it's ability to rear salmonoids, being a mountain stream) was spared. This project presents a serious threat to yet another ecosystem. There will be leaching of fertilizer and other chemical by-products into this vital stream, from this needless project. This blight along with a number of other invasive and parasitic discharges and extractions proposed, will kill this stream and it's precious life sustaining properties. Please do not sit by and allow this to happen. Money isn't everything, Mother Nature is!
Regards James Miller