qathet Regional District’s (qRD) planning committee was split in its support for renewal of two mining leases on Texada Island.
At the July 12 planning committee meeting, regional directors considered a referral from BC Ministry of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation to renew mining lease 308820 for 30 years for district lots 573 and 589. According to a staff report, the applicant, Lehigh Hanson Materials Ltd, has been the recorded holder of the lease since December 28, 1991.
Regarding district lot 573, the planning committee is recommending the regional board advise the ministry that the regional district has no objection to extending the mining lease for 30 years. However, regarding district lot 589, the committee is recommending the board does not support extending the lease for a term of 30 years due to the recreational and environmental value of the Stromberg Falls area situated in the centre of the lot, the need to protect its unique karst topography, and its designation as a high priority acquisition site by the regional district.
The staff report stated that to date, Lehigh Hanson had not commenced industrial mining operation on either of the district lots, nor on its privately owned lands located directly west and southwest to the mining lease area.
Electoral Area B director Mark Gisborne said his understanding is that the matter before the committee is a referral from the ministry of energy, mines and low carbon.
“My question is, is the ministry required to actually listen to us, or can they actually do what they want at the end of the day?” asked Gisborne.
Manager of planning services Laura Roddan said, as is the case with all provincial referrals, they are referred to local government for recommendation, on advisement.
“The ultimate decision maker is the provincial authority,” added Roddan.
According to Electoral Area D alternate director Terry Hollo, the Stromberg Falls area is one of the main outdoor accessible features on Texada Island of any significance.
“It goes from a really spectacular falls to dwindling water,” said Hollo. “There is a forestry road that goes to Shingle Beach that people travel, and there’s a side road. There’s access to caves and walking. Hopefully, one day it will be looked at to upgrade it from a UREP (use, recreation and enjoyment of the public) to a more park-labelled detail.
“I’m hoping the ministry will receive the recommendation. The argument was very well put forward by planning.”
Hollo said there is a 10- to 12-minute “ambitious hike” into the Stromberg Falls area. If viewers go to the base of the falls, the scenery is wonderful, she added. The water volume depends on seasonal supply.
“It’s sporadic and hit and miss when the falls go,” added Hollo.
In terms of the recommendation of district lot 589’s designation as a high priority acquisition site by qRD, Roddan said the park acquisition strategy recommendation is to collaborate with the ministry to maintain the reserve status over the area, so there’s no purchase requirement.
“It’s crown land, it’s dedicated as a reserve and the regional district could continue to push that it remain that way in perpetuity,” added Roddan.
The committee voted unanimously in favour of the recommendations regarding the two lots. For a video on Stromberg Falls, go to youtube.com/watch?v=dMEgab-sdwo.
