As the deadline for public comment on the proposed Garibaldi at 樱桃视频(GAS) ski resort draws near, opponents have ramped up their efforts with online, flyer and letter-writing campaigns.
The Environmental Assessment Office (EAO) public consultation period deadline for the proposal is Aug. 5, and recreational users, campers, snowmobilers and environmental advocates have been flooding the office with complaints and are encouraging others to follow suit.
"It really would be a shame to eliminate public access to Brohm Ridge," wrote Mike Blomfield, a member of the Black Tusk Snowmobile Club (BTSC) in one e-mail campaign. "Thousands of people from many user groups visit each year: backcountry ski touring to access Garibaldi Park, snowshoe, snowmobilers, dirt bikers, ATVers, hikers just to name a few."
Flyers and e-mails have been circulated throughout Squamish, with most questioning how the development would impact public access to Cat and Brohm lakes as well as how it would limit snowmobile access to the area.
One flyer questions the need for another golf course, which is part of the GAS proposal, stating "two golf courses is plenty for a town of 15,000."
"It's really important that people let the EAO know that they think that this development really is not a good idea," said Denny Dias, who started a Facebook group of people opposed to the development. The group now has over 2,000 members.
"With Cat Lake, and I guess Brohm Lake too, people should be able to go there if they want," said Dias.
The EAO consultation, which has drawn the interest of some of high profile outdoor athletes including Dave Norona and Neal Kindree, continues to receive letters from the public condemning the project.
So far the EAO has posted 55 letters it has received on its website.
Of those, 47 oppose the development, while seven offer support.
Mike Esler, co-director of the proposal, said that many of the complaints are unfounded.
"People don't have to worry about Cat and Brohm lakes," said Esler, adding that if it goes ahead, the area adjacent to both lakes would remain Crown land.
"That's part of our development proposal. Cat Lake would be maintained as a public area for picnicking, hiking, swimming and overnight camping."
Esler said that Brohm Lake would have the same type of designation. However, he added, no decision has been on whether or not camping in the area will be a fee-based service.
"We're not taking away from the recreation up there, we're adding to it," said Esler. "We'll add improvements to the parking, to the trails and it will enhance the services available to rec users.
"That's our intent and that's the government's intent."
In regards to snowmobiling, Esler said he is waiting for a response back from BTSC on how the club would like to access the area."We have left that up to Black Tusk to let us know where they want access and we've left that with them since June 20 when we had our open house. There's nothing definitive but we're open to negotiations and discussions with them."
Public comments can be sent to Graeme McLaren at [email protected].
