Recent legal notices and coverage in the Eagle Valley News have bought to my attention that an open pit quarry-mine is being actively considered by the Ministry of Mines for the very steep slopes directly above Old Town Road in Sicamous.
The limited information available on this proposal shows a series of 10-metre by 10-metre steps to be blasted out going up the mountainside to the private and Crown land boundary. This will leave an eyesore plainly visible from most places in Sicamous.
As reported in the News, town council has voted to send a letter to the provincial government opposing such a permit being granted. I support the town council in opposing this open-pit quarry.
It is my opinion that this quarry will negatively affect the quality of life and property values all along Old Town Road and throughout the District of Sicamous.
I am also concerned this massive, unnatural disruption in very steep terrain will further destabilize a mountainside which is already unstable enough, to be subject to periodic rockfalls.
The water quality and safety of several wells along Old Town Road also stand at risk of being compromised.
This open-pit quarry-mine permit request completely disrespects this community’s official community plan and zoning bylaws. Residents of Sicamous should be asking why the provincial ministry responsible for mining is allowing itself to be used as a regulatory tool to circumvent our local government and its Community Charter.
David Cornish