EAGLE VALLEY
NEWS
FortisBC offers opportunity for natural gas Page 2
Guides, Sparks and Pathfinders hike for hunger Page 8
Wednesday, April 3, 2013 PM40008236
Vol. 55 No. 14 Sicamous, B.C., • 1.25 (HST included) • www.eaglevalleynews.com
Governments committed to water plant
$3 million: Provincial and federal governments funding two-thirds. By Lachlan Labere Eagle Valley News
The federal government has joined the B.C. government in a commitment to fund two-thirds of a $4.5 million water treatment facility for the District of Sicamous. Sicamous Mayor Darrell Trouton received word Friday morning (March 28) from OkanaganShuswap MP Colin Mayes that the federal government will be providing $1.5 million for the facility’s construction. The funding comes through the Provincial-Territorial Base Fund for infrastructure under the federal Building Canada Plan. The federal funding was announced Friday afternoon as part of a joint commitment with the B.C. government, which is also contributing $1.5 to the project “That’s pretty darn That’s pretty darn exciting… it makes it exciting… it makes it all possible now,” Trouall possible now. ton said in a News interview. Darrell Trouton In October, Trouton Sicamous mayor announced the province was committed to providing one-third funding. This was after a visit by Sport and Cultural Development Minister Bill Bennett, who presented a cheque for $50,000 to fund a pilot project to test the filtration technology proposed for the new treatment facility. The pilot was to span six months, while the province worked with its federal counterparts to come up with funding options for the $4.5 million plant, to replace Sicamous’ current water treatment infrastructure that was severely compromised as a result of the June 23 debris flows in Two Mile and Swansea Point, as well as the subsequent flooding. “So, it’s been a lot of work behind the scenes by everybody, and I’m just happy everybody has come to the table and has committed to this,” says Trouton. “It’s looking very positive for us into the See Contract ready on page 2
Neighbour pains: Bryant Laboret is angered by a gravel quarry proposed to go directly above residential lots he is selling along Old Town Road. The mining operation would include drilling, blasting and screening. Photo by Lachlan Labere
District ups fight against quarry permit
Powerless: Municipalities have little input on mines applications.
By Lachlan Labere Eagle Valley News
The District of Sicamous is taking on an uphill battle with the B.C. government over an application for a gravel pit along Old Town Road. Back in December, district council agreed to submit a letter voicing their “unequivocal objection” to a referral from the Ministry of Energy and Mines relating to a mines permit application for a fiveyear-permit to operate a rock quarry at 200 Old Town Road. According to information received by the district at that time, the applicant, Murray Hillson, is pro-
posing an excavating pit, crushing, screening and blasting of materials. The application also states that approximately 300 cubic metres of timber would be removed to facilitate the work. Council agreed with staff that the project would be in contravention to the municipality’s official community plan and zoning bylaws. District staff has since learned, however, that not all the information relating to the application had been received in the original referral. And the additional information has only increased community planning officer Mike Marrs’
concern about the project and the impact it will have, not only on nearby properties, but on the community as a whole. But Marrs also
discussions with our solicitor confirm my feelings that we absolutely have no control over the ministry relative to them making a
If his past behaviour is any indication of what his future behaviour is going to be, then we’re all in trouble Bryant Laboret recognizes the community may be powerless to prevent the ministry from granting the permit. “The big reason I brought this forward tonight… is that further
decision, even though this mine would be in contravention of our OCP, our zoning bylaw, and to the detriment of the community and those properties surrounding it, par-
ticularly the properties that are situated below, to which the applicant has already encroached upon and has not made any effort to rectify,” Marrs explained at the March 23 regular council meeting. S u b s e q u e n t l y, council agreed to two recommendations by Marrs, the first asking that the ministry hold a public meeting and to “adjudicate its decision process based on the expressed will of the residents, the potentially negative net benefit to he community and the fact that the community is well served by existing loSee Council to on page 3