Balanced Development will benefit Environment and Community

The land is currently operated as a managed forest and would be logged at such time as the timber is merchantable. The land is currently zoned RR-60 and RR-8 which means that it could be used for a variety of options from residential to industrial; from farming to logging. Shifts to these uses could be implemented with no zoning change.

It’s important to note – if this happened, the land would not be protected as it would be under this proposal.

We are excited to announce that 51% of the overall holding will be zoned PG-4 which preserves the land by zoning it a park. Of this, 20% of the land will be preserved as a forested area. Through these measures we’ll be protecting important wildlife habitats and recreation trails.

Cascade Environmental Resource Group Ltd. assessed potential impacts of the proposed project to animal movement in an Environmental Overview Report which was published November 2, 2022. Earlier on March 25, 2022, Cascade examined studies carried out by Dr. Clayton Lamb as well as Procter et. al (2015). Both studied grizzly bear movement patterns. The Procter et al. (2015) report was based on an analysis of a large area which showed that Galloway Lands have moderate movement potential limited to the southeast corner, near the ski hill, while most of the site has low movement corridor potential. The Lamb study suggested that grizzly bears commonly use the Galloway Lands as a movement corridor. However, Dr. Lamb’s study was based on an analysis of a small area which showed an isolated high quality habitat patch in May-July surrounded by low quality habitat. Analysis of small area highlights a few bears moving through an area but this does not make it a movement corridor.

In terms of the importance of the Galloway Lands for winter range for deer, elk and moose, Cascade noted that the presence of a potential winter range on the site should not be a constraint to the development. In addition, the proposal has the set aside 232 acres of the parcel that would itself be conducive to use as winter range.

A review of cumulative effects was conducted. It involved a review of all available materials published on the subject. The conclusions were contained firstly in Cascades memo of March 2022 and later in the November 2022 report. A further summary was published on April 21, 2023, which contained a summary of the cumulative effect of the proposal.

The conclusion was that the total development would represent a small area (less than 0.01%) of the built-up area in the Elk Valley. The Galloway Lands is unlikely to contribute to cumulative effects on grizzly bears. Secondly, should adequate environmental management measures be followed the proposed development is unlikely to contribute to cumulative effects on aquatic habitat or old growth forest.

Yes. Cascade assessed potential impacts of the proposed project to wildlife. In the March 25, 2022 Technical memo, Cascade examined studies carried out by Dr. Lamb as well as Procter et. al (2015). Both studies analyzed telemetry data and modeled grizzly bear movement patterns. 

The Procter et al. (2015) was based on an analysis of a large area which showed that Galloway Lands have moderate movement potential the southeast corner while most of the site has low movement corridor potential. The Lamb study suggested that grizzly bears commonly use the Galloway Lands as a movement corridor. However, Dr. Lamb’s study was based on an analysis of a small area which showed an isolated high quality habitat patch in May-July surrounded by low quality habitat. Analysis of small area highlights a few bears moving through an area but this does not necessarily make it a movement corridor.

In terms of the importance of the Galloway Lands for winter ungulate range it is important to note that the presence of a potential winter ungulates range on the site should not be considered a constraint to the development given the nature of the ownership. In addition, the proposal has the set aside a vast portion of the overall parcel that would itself be conducive to the presence of winter ungulates. The conclusion to draw from the environmental overview is that all in all the parcel lends itself to the type of conservation development being proposed.
The recommendations from the Cascade report will form the basis for an Environmental Management Plan as a requirement of the Development Agreement with the RDEK. That plan includes the requirement to have a Qualified Environmental Monitor oversee the project during construction.

Recommendations provided in the Cascade Environmental Report will form the basis for an Environmental Management Plan as a requirement of the Development Agreement with the RDEK. A Qualified Environmental Monitor will oversee the project during construction. 

Yes. As a result of our public engagement, we have updated our plan to guarantee access to Galloway Lands park area through a statutory right of way on the parcel of land being preserved. This right of way will include a multi-use, machine groomable trail connecting Fernie Alpine Resort to Mt Fernie Provincial Park. 

We have made a commitment to preserve 70% of the natural area – this includes the current trails. As well, the development creates a framework for the ongoing use of trails plus the creation of new trails.

This concern stems from a previous application that proposed each home would have its own wells and septic systems. We have brought forward a new application with a commitment to connect to the existing water and sewer utilities at the Fernie Alpine Resort.

The manager of that utility has confirmed that there is capacity to accommodate the Galloway Lands plan. 

Since beginning our outreach in April of 2021, we have had engagement or attempted engagement with Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, BC Parks, City of Fernie, Ktunaxa First Nation, Tobacco Plains Band, Fernie Alpine Resort, Snow Valley Community Association, Fernie Nordic Society, Fernie Trail Alliance, Elk River Alliance, and Wildsight.

We also held two Open House presentations on March 30 and April 1, 2023, which attracted over 100 people. The feedback was polite and focused on environmental protection, affordable housing, and access.

We have made a few updates, these include:

• We have rethought the road access which will now come from an intersection at Lizard Creek Rd and Highway 3. We will no longer rely on existing ski hill access.
• Water and sewer now come from the Fernie Alpine Resort Utilities Company. We’ve committed that all construction traffic to come from the new access and avoid ski hill road network.
• We have guaranteed access to Galloway Lands park area through a legal agreement on the parcel of land being preserved. This right of way will include a multi-use, machine groomable trail connecting Fernie Alpine Resort to Mt Fernie Provincial Park.

By providing more supply of single-family housing, Galloway Lands will reduce the pressure on existing housing availability in the Fernie area. This zone request also allows for secondary suites, and this will provide an opportunity to create some additional supply.