Home »
Panorama seeks to expand into Taynton
By Ian Cobb
e-KNOW
Panorama Mountain Resort has applied to the Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) to rezone 913 ha of land adjacent to the resort to allow for a boundary expansion to incorporate the Taynton Creek/Bowl area.
RDEK board of directors March 3 introduced Bylaw No. 2774 (Panorama / Panorama Mountain Resort), which if approved will rezone the subject property from W-1, Watershed Protection Zone and A-1, Rural Resource Zone to RES-2, Resort Recreation Zone to permit a skiing facility as a permitted use. Part of the subject property includes existing ski runs and infrastructure and part of the subject property is a proposed expansion to the ski area near Taynton Creek.
On November 8, 2016, the RDEK board reviewed a referral from the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations for an addendum to the Master Plan for the proposed expansion area. The board’s resolution supported the proposal but noted two natural resource management issues to be taken into consideration: the potential presence of Whitebark pine and the potential for human conflict with grizzly bears and their habitat.
Cascade Environmental Resource Group Limited prepared a report dated September 7, that addressed the board’s concerns.
“There were no specific constraints associated with the various tree and plant species found within the Taynton Bowl study area. Whitebark Pine (Pinus albitaulis), an endangered terrestrial plant was observed in the upper elevations of
Taynton Bowl. The whitebark pine is protected on federal land under the Species at Risk Act (SARA). It is Blue Listed in B.C. It should be assumed that other red and blue listed species may occur within the study and care should be taken to survey areas with anticipated ground disturbance prior to construction. No rare or endangered plants were identified within the study area. No rare or endangered animals identified, however, recommendations were made to limit construction to specific times of the year. General recommendations were also made for habitat protection,” Cascade reported.
At the completion of the Master Plan, the resort will be able to accommodate 8,970 skiers per day with 12 lifts. A total of 504 hectares of ski trails have been designed. The proposed trails will be able to accommodate 9,830 skiers per day. As a result of the trail capacity exceeding lift capacity, the over alI average densities will be lower than the planning parameters, resulting in higher quality snow conditions on the slopes as a result of less wear and tear, Cascade outlined.
A mid-mountain restaurant is also proposed to be constructed adjacent near the top of the new lift.
The provincial government says it would like to see more work done in terms of a thorough environmental assessment and mitigation strategy.
Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Habitat Biologist Kristen Murphy noted in a Feb. 14 email to the RDEK: “I have reviewed the above noted bylaw amendment on February 9, 2017. Based on the potential importance of this watershed, HNRO – Habitat Branch recommends that the proponent hire an environmental consultant to complete a thorough environmental assessment and mitigation strategy to identify any environmental impacts, issues and/or risks that may occur as a result of this expansion. This EA should include a mitigation strategy that would outline all precautions and steps that would be implemented to protect the ecosystem and watershed.”
It is recommended that this EA and mitigation strategy is submitted to the FLNRO Resource Management Branch for review prior to initiation of any further works.
The Shuswap Indian Band noted in a Feb. 2 letter to the RDEK it has some concerns about the expansion.
“Panorama falls within a registered trapline of the Shuswap Indian Band. We have a strong Prima Facie claim for Aboriginal Title and Rights over the lands covered by the CRA. The development, ongoing expansion and continuous use of the resort lands for winter and summer tourism activities, has had a substantial, negative impact on the trapline and on our cultural practices in general. We are working on conditions with the province and the proponent that will minimize impacts to all the areas,” stated the letter.
The RDEK staff report notes the proposal is consistent with OCP policies.
Electoral Area G Director Gerry Wilkie said he supports the expansion “primarily in the interest of public safety” as out-of-bounds skiing/snowboarding can take place in the Taynton Creek area.
A public hearing date has been scheduled for 7 p.m. on March 29 at the Columbia Valley Chamber of Commerce crossroads hall.
