August 22, 2008

Coldwater Indian Band supports proposed $2-billion ski resort near Merritt

VANCOUVER

The Coldwater Indian Band is throwing its support behind a proposed $2-billion ski resort, and two other developments near Merritt, as it tries to deal with the impact of a pine beetle infestation that is devastating forest-sector jobs in the area.

“It’s my hope all these projects are going to go over the next few years,” Jim Adams, a consultant to the Coldwater Indian Band, said as he announced band plans for major economic diversification.

Adams said with the pine beetle infestation spreading through the forests around Merritt, the Coldwater Band has to start looking for other ways to generate employment.

“I live a few kilometres south of Merritt, and when I look out my window all I see are red forests,” Adams said as he described how widespread the pine beetle epidemic has become.

“The people here work in the mills, log the forests and drive the trucks. What is going to happen when those jobs vanish?” he asked.

The answer for the Coldwater Indian Band is to promote three major projects, including the Juliet Creek Resort Development, which would see Vancouver-based Westscapes Development Inc. building a new all-season resort near the Coquihalla Summit.

The resort proposal, which earlier this year went to the B.C. Environmental Assessment Office for review, has come under attack from the Federation of Mountain Clubs and other groups that fear it will ruin the wilderness values in a popular hiking and climbing area.

But Adams said the band believes the project won’t cause significant damage. “There’s always going to be some impact but we think it can be mitigated,” he said.

Traditional hunting and berry-picking activities in the area will continue, he said, and concerns about the fisheries impact can be addressed with a commitment to not draw water from the Coldwater River system.

He said the band has reached an agreement with Westscapes Development Inc., which would give natives a seat on the board and 10-per-cent ownership, as well as a share of land sales.

The resort proposal calls for about 200 hectares to be developed with a village, 2,500 dwelling units, a community spa and aquatic centre, an 18-hole golf course and other facilities.

The resort, to be located in high, snow-laden mountains just northeast of the Coquihalla Highway tollbooth, would be built to handle about 7,000 skiers a day.

“I just don’t see how this proposal can fail,” Adams said. “There is a huge snow pack there (with an average annual snowfall of 1,100 centimetres) and it’s just two hours from the Lower Mainland.”

Canadian Press

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