Lab 5: This was the most extensive lab so far.

Northland Properties and the Aquilini Investment Group of Vancouver had proposed a year-round mountain resort project, called the Garibaldi at Squamish. This proposal was for a tract of mountain land on Brohm Ridge, 15 km north of Squamish on Highway 99. The proposal estimates that the project will provide 900 construction jobs during construction and 2,500 jobs during operation, and will require 20 years to build. The BC Environmental Assessment Office responded to the proposal stating its concerns with the proposal’s lack of information on the potential effects of the project on vegetation, fish and wildlife habitat, and suggested it be revised to prevent or reduce significant environmental, social, economic, heritage, and health effects.

To further complicate matters, the Resort Municipality of Whistler submitted a 14-page letter stating their opposition to the project, citing a 1974 report stating that areas less than ~600 m above sea level provide unreliable skiing conditions.

For this lab, I was placed in a scenario where I was a natural resource planner who was on retainer by the British Columbia Snowmobile Federation (BCSF), who was initially opposed to the project. My task was to examine the Environmental Assessment’s recommendations, while also taking Whistler’s criticism into account, and evaluate whether there is enough evidence to continue opposing the project, or whether the project is viable after a series of modifications.

After conducting my map construction and analyses, this is the letter that I drafted for Northland Properties and the Aquilini Investment Group of Vancouver:

*The white space within the project boundary is viable land for construction, while contours are mainly included for visualization purposes for this lab.

“Dear Northland Properties and Aquilini Investment Group of Vancouver,

My name is Jaewook Lee and I am a natural resource planner on retainer for the British Columbia Snowmobile Federation (BCSF). I write to you with a list of concerns regarding your proposed plan to construct The Giribaldi at Squamish, the year-round destination mountain resort on Brohm Ridge.

I have examined the Environmental Assessment’s recommendations to evaluate your project.

Using ArcMap, a software designed to map spatial data, I was able to construct a map that outlines some of the problematic areas within your proposed project area. First, I obtained various data from reliable sources such as DataBC and TRIM (Terrestrial Resource Information Management). Then, after drawing the project boundary, I proceeded to add a layer that illustrated any land that is below 600 m in elevation, as Whistler has advised that any region below that height will be susceptible to “climatological considerations” that may rule out reliable skiing. Next, I added in a layer that represents the Old Growth forests in that region, which cannot be disturbed. Speaking of areas that cannot be disturbed, you will find layers called “Fishery Habitat” and “Red-Listed Ecosystems” included in the map as well. There is a 50 m buffer given to each river so as to avoid disturbing the delicate freshwater ecosystem that exists above 600 m elevation, and a 100 m buffer is given to the rivers below 600 m. The Red-Listed Ecosystems are areas within which endangered or threatened plant species are capable of growing, each species of which is listed below the layer. Finally, there is the Ungulate Winter Range layer, which depicts the winter habitat of large mammals, such as mule deer and and mountain goat, in that region.

The fishing habitats constitute 26.3% of the proposed site. 24.8% consist of red-listed ecosystems. 7.9% is mule deer and mountain goat habitat. 6.8% is old growth forest. Now, assuming you and your company are reluctant to construct on protected land, there is only about 47.3% of the proposed land that is available for use. Unfortunately, 52.7% of that region is protected (some of the protected sites overlap). The land that your company is able to use is less than 47.3%, actually, after excluding land that is below 600 m.

Given that the land you can use is less than 47.3% of what you initially proposed, construction of your resort will be difficult. Consider, also, that the land that is available is not one continuous tract. The fish habitats incise even the available land so the resort is limited in architecture and planning.

I do not wish to discourage the project entirely. I merely wanted to present to you the various challenges and considerations you may face in your construction. I am cognizant of the huge economic opportunities this project will provide for this region. I believe, that with careful planning, a smaller, more intimate resort could be planned, one where the surrounding protected areas are not endangered, but enjoyed and cared for. If you are set on this location for The Giribaldi, I strongly urge you to consider changing the nature of your resort, from 124-ski-trail-boasting vacation spot, to a natural retreat with a handful of exciting runs. If this is not your goal, perhaps another site will more fully suit your interests.

Thank you for your consideration,

Jaewook Lee

British Columbia Snowmobile Federation (BCSF)”

I agree with this character whose role I assumed in this lab. In an era when infrastructure is expanding so quickly and fiercely, perhaps a vacation destination that highlights leisure while embracing environmental and ecological responsibility is necessary and poised for success. It has very strong viability. Economic and environmental pursuits are often at odds, but with a shift in perspective, the two can coexist and profit.