--- On Thu, 3/22/12, RDIABO <rdi...@rogers.com> wrote:
From: RDIABO <rdi...@rogers.com> Subject: Fw: [TRA] B.C. approves Jumbo Glacier resort. Year-round ski development still faces opposition and financial hurdles To: undisclosed-recipi...@yahoo.com Received: Thursday, March 22, 2012, 8:35 AM FYI From: Don Sent: Thursday, March 22, 2012 1:26 AM To: TRA Listerve ; NatNews North Subject: [TRA] B.C. approves Jumbo Glacier resort. Year-round ski development still faces opposition and financial hurdles B.C. approves Jumbo Glacier resort Year-round ski development still faces opposition and financial hurdles By Suzanne Fournier, The Province March 21, 2012 http://www.theprovince.com/business/approves+Jumbo+Glacier+resort/6334991/story.html The Jumbo Glacier ski resort in the East Kootenay region has been given a giant boost by the B.C. government, but still faces opposition from First Nations and environmental groups. To be located on Jumbo Mountain glacier in the Purcell Range, 57 kilometres west of Invermere, the planned luxury resort would feature up to 23 lifts and a gondola that would reach the 3,000-metre mark. It would become "North America's only year-round glacier-based ski resort," the company said Tuesday. Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Minister Steve Thomson said he has approved the resort's "master development agreement," allowing the project to proceed. "After more than 20 years of comprehensive and exhaustive reviews, it was time to make a decision," Thomson said in a statement. Glacier Resorts Ltd. senior vice-president Grant Costello said Jumbo could be a "dream ski area and mountain destination for Canada." Costello said the government's backing should help stimulate investors. "Funding is not yet in place," said Costello, adding that the $50-million first phase of the $450-million resort should begin soon. Ktunaxa First Nation council chair Kathryn Teneese said the site, called Qat'muk, is "a pristine glacier of great significance. If this resort, with massive negative impacts goes ahead, we as a people will be forever changed." Costello said Glacier has the support of the nearby Shuswap Indian band. But Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, president of the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs, predicted "there will be litigation and opposition on the ground." Phillip said opposition to the Apex ski resort near Penticton led to the bankruptcy of one operator and an agreement to consult with First Nations before the ski resort went ahead, on a much-reduced scale. New Democrat Leader Adrian Dix said Jumbo "doesn't meet any economic tests, will cause real damage to the ecosystem and is opposed by First Nations." Dix said there is no proven market for more luxury B.C. ski resorts and said taxpayers will wind up picking up the tab for infrastructure. Wilderness Committee spokesman Joe Foy, saying the mega-resort will damage wildlife habitat, including an important grizzly bear range. sfourn...@theprovince.com ____________________________________________________________ Questions about the titleandrightsalliance list? Contact d...@ubcic.bc.ca TRA Archives http://npogroups.org/lists/arc/titleandrightsalliance Follow http://twitter.com/UBCIC & http://twitter.com/dogwoodbc
