'Good fight' against mine

The Garnet Valley Agritourism Association provided a presentation opposing the recently provincially approved gravel pit at Tuesday evening’s council meeting, requesting Summerland council keep up the pressure against the mine.

The project at 27600 Garnet Valley Rd. was approved by the province in July, even though strong concerns about the gravel pit had been raised by the District of Summerland, the BC Wildlife Federation and the Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen.

Since then, Summerland’s tourism and business groups, the Lower Similkameen Indian Band and the Penticton Indian Band have joined the uproar against provincial approval of the project.

Association members Steve Lornie and Thomas Tumbach spoke to the area's value and their concerns about the pit's development, which have been echoed in the community.

“I'll start off by thanking all of you for the support you've given us trying to hold the Garnet Valley gravel pit,” Lornie said.

“Most of the reasons for opposing this pit are well known, but I will quickly run through them. Risk of injury or death, with the cyclists, horse riders, kids and pedestrians on this narrow country road. Dust, noise, and other risks to the six closely adjacent homes.

“A serious reduction in property values, especially adjacent to the pit. Damage to Garnet Valley Road that the taxpayers will eventually have to pay. For environmental risks, the wildlife at Eneas Creek and then over the top of all this, the general deterioration of our beautiful Garnet Valley.”

The Garnet Valley Agritourism Association said they are taking action by submitting an application for judicial review.

“We have found a number of serious errors, omissions and outright lawsuits on how the permit application was handled and issued by the ministry,” Lornie said.

He added that they would be keeping up the political pressure once the election was over since candidates had publicly stated their opposition to the pit.

They are also asking council to consider looking over the Official Community Plan as it pertains to the current Garnet Valley zoning.

“We do think that the current agricultural and forestry grazing zones do not recognize the tremendous recreational and agritourism potential of Garnet Valley,” Lornie said.

Coun. Janet Peake asked whether the association has been collaborating with other groups who have been outspoken against the time, including the Penticton Indian Band.

Lornie confirmed they are connected with some groups and working on others at this time.

Mayor Doug Holmes commented that council will soon be undertaking an OCP review so the timing is good to be looking at this.

He also previously told Castanet he has asked the minister for an independent review of the decision — and as far as council is concerned, the ideal resolution would be for the province to cancel the permit and recognize the property in question isn’t the right place for a gravel pit.

“We'll continue the good fight together,” Holmes said.