Hatchery still fighting development

Freshwater Fisheries Society of B.C. opposes proposed Banks Crescent

Summerland Trout Hatchery manager Kyle Girgan did not mince words about the developers of the proposed Banks Crescent project when he spoke to council Monday.

“I am officially stating opposition to the project and will be making a formal request to explain the situation to council at its next meeting on Aug. 14,” Girgan said.

He made this statement during the public comment period near the end of the meeting.

He also said that he has a complete mistrust of the Lark Group, the developers, based on “distortions and oversimplifications.”

“We have been waiting patiently for our concerns and requests for additional information to be addressed,” he told council.

The Freshwater Fisheries Society of B.C., which operates the hatchery, has consistently stated that its support of the project rests on, among other conditions, the identification of a contingency water supply.

This supply must be accessible and capable of providing water of suitable quality and quantity to maintain uninterrupted operations at the hatchery.

The hatchery’s sole source of water is Shaughnessy Springs, an outlet from an artesian aquifer under the proposed development.

Girgan spoke of the difficulties the FFSBC had encountered in early discussions with the Lark Group, which led to his requesting that all communication be through municipal staff.

“Where did the $600,000 figure come from that the developers say they will donate for infrastructure associated with a deep water lake intake as a contingency supply,” he asked.

In his July 10 letter to mayor and council, project manager Malek Tawashy wrote:

“The Lark Group is donating this new piece of waterworks infrastructure estimated at $600,000 to the District of Summerland.”

Girgan said that neither he nor anyone from the FFSBC had been contacted regarding the $600,000 figure.

Girgan asked the mayor and council if they would be willing to assume risks associated with the waterworks infrastructure and use of a municipal water license based solely on the Lark Group’s assessment.

The Lark Group has proposed using one of the district’s two unused water licenses for acquisition of lake water.

“The FFSBC needs to be dealing with the responsible party,” Girgan said.

Girgan advised the district that before the FFSBC can support the project it needs to see details of the infrastructure needed for delivery of lake water to the hatchery beyond the general concept presented by Lark.

Lark says the details would be provided following approval of the rezoning application.