Hatchery raises voice against Banks Crescent development
SUMMERLAND — The Freshwater Fisheries Society of B.C. says continuing to oppose the proposed Banks Crescent development is its only means of protecting the Summerland Trout Hatchery.
“Given the Lark Group’s (developer) recent misrepresentation of the Society and the requirement for our hatchery, it is not clear to us that they take our concerns seriously,” hatchery manager Kyle Girgan wrote in an April 12 letter to Summerland mayor and council.
Girgan further stated: “As such, we have come to the conclusion that the only means of ensuring the viability of our hatchery and the recreational fisheries it supports is to remain on record as being officially opposed to this development.”
This turn of events puts the ball squarely in Summerland council’s court.
“We are preparing an update report that is scheduled to be on Monday’s council’s agenda,” director of development services Dean Strachan replied Thursday to an email sent by The Herald to Mayor Peter Waterman and senior staff members.
In recognition of the importance of the hatchery, council passed a resolution on Jan. 23 that issues regarding the hatchery would be resolved before addressing the many other outstanding questions regarding the development.
“As stated in previous correspondence, we cannot support this development proposal unless our concerns are addressed,” Girgan wrote to Strachan on Feb. 24.
Girgan sent his letter after a meeting between representatives of the FFSBC and district staff on Feb. 17 and a review of updated hydrogeological assessments by the proponent’s consultant.
Previously, Girgan had requested that communication between the Lark Group and the FFSBC be through district staff.
“Yes, we would want to have that (requirement) satisfied — wells in place and monitoring satisfactorily,” Waterman responded on Feb. 27 to a question from Doug Wahl.
“Does the trout hatchery have the last word?” Eric Tait asked.
“That is the perception right now. But ultimately the decision is up to council,” Waterman replied.
Similar questions by members of the public on other occasions have been met by silence from the mayor.
Starting in March, Strachan has been reporting to council on work associated with other issues, such as roads, sewer and water service options.
Since first being notified of the proposed development in May 2016, the FFSBC has accepted every opportunity to either restate or clarify concerns the development poses for the hatchery, Girgan explained.
“However, in a March 30, 2017, letter to the District, the Lark Group has misstated our position, misinterpreted the rationale for requiring a contingency water supply, and misrepresented the Society and our consultant,” Girgan wrote.
In his March letter, development project manager Malek Tawashy wrote: “the developer is prepared to make a capital donation to the FFSBC as to ensure the optimal solution is designed and vetted by the Hatchery operations staff. It is the developer’s understanding that the Shaughnessy Springs’ water quality and quantity is still viable for fish production today, with supplementation from domestic water.”
Shaughnessy Springs is the hatchery’s only water source and no domestic water is used.
As frequently stated, the FFSBC’s support of the project rests on, among other conditions, the identification of a contingency water source.
The source must be accessible and capable of providing water of suitable quality and quantity required to maintain uninterrupted operations at the hatchery and the developer must have a provincial groundwater licence.
In view of the proponent’s position, Girgan wrote: “Therefore we are formally withdrawing from this component of the process as it is quite clear our contributions to the information gathering process are not being appropriately considered by the developer.”