Penticton band blocks access to construction site

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The expansion of a British Columbia ski hill masks plans for a huge real estate development which could irrevocably damage the region's watershed, charge members of the Penticton Indian Band.

On Nov. 2 the band set up check points along access roads transecting their reserve to stop construction supply traffic from reaching the hill after becoming frustrated with both the provincial government's and Apex Alpine's response. The Upper and Lower Similkameen Indian bands also lent their support.

"This is a large-scale, high-density real estate development rather than just an expansion of the ski resort," said Penticton band councillor Stewart Phillip.

The band has been protesting the $20 million expansion of the Apex alpine ski resort for two years, citing concerns about increased traffic and the lack of an independent environmental assessment of the project.

Since 1992, the council has requested a full environmental impact assessment of the project from the company and the government, said Phillip. Key concerns relate to the impact increased residential density will have on the area's watershed, sewage disposal and traffic volume.

"One of the bottom lines in this matter is that it didn't need to get to this," said Phillip, adding the band had been waiting since August for a response from the provincial government to the notice of the check points.

While the blockade did not affect local residents or tourists, Apex alpine had to helicopter workers and supplies onto the mountain to continue the development. General manager Brian Rhodes said the combined delay in construction and loss of revenue because of the blockade is hitting the company in the pocket.

"We're trying to proceed with business as usual, but it's costing the company about $150,000 a day," he said.

Rhodes confirmed the planned expansion will double the volume of visits per three-month season from approximately 95,000 to 180,000 people travelling to the mountain by 1998. Work is proceeding on an additional hotel, which will contribute to a total of 3,793 beds, up from 1,238 spaces.

He added the company is concerned with the issue of heavy traffic, noting Apex would like to see a permanent resolution of the problem, perhaps by building another access road to divert motorists.

"We're willing to co-operate with the government and the Penticton Indian Band to carry out a review of issues they've raised with respect to water," said Rhodes.

Apex had "mountain planners" review the master development plans to determine if the area could support the expansion, he said.

But without a baseline from which to establish conservation guidelines, there is no way the planners could be accurate, said Linda Vanden Berg, a consultant for the band.

"There has been no environmental assessment of the sub-alpine area in the Okanagan," Vanden Berg explained. Without that information, impact reviews can't be undertaken.

At press time the Penticton, Upper and Lower Similkameen Indian Bands were meeting with representatives of the Indian Affairs and environmental ministries about initiating an independent environmental review of the Apex expansion.