It will be business as usual at Pan Pacific Aggregates' site at Mason and Heritage roads, despite the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) rejecting its application for a temporary industrial use permit and temporary non-farm use in the Agricultural Land Reserve. As previously stated by the company, it plans to fall back on the B.C. Mines Act to continue its mineral exploration-related work at the site.
"The end result of this process was that [the SCRD] said no, so that means we'll just continue under the existing arrangement under the Mines Act," PPA's CEO Don Nicholson said in a phone interview this week.
The SCRD planning committee unanimously opposed the two applications at its Sept. 14 meeting, citing overwhelming community opposition and a reluctance to have industry in an ALR. The decision received applause from the packed gallery of residents.
"We have heard overwhelming arguments against this application that will virtually affect thousands of people," SCRD chair John Rees said at the meeting. "In addition to the letters we have been presented with, there are virtually thousands of names [on petitions]. It's impossible for any elected official not to regard that. It will be interesting to see if senior government politicians actually take the same approach and listen to the community."
Garry Nohr, director for Area B (Halfmoon Bay) noted he had not received a single piece of positive correspondence about the applications.
Ed Steeves, director for the District of Sechelt, brought forward Sechelt council's recent decision expressing concern and opposition to the application. A referral to the Sechelt Indian Band also did not support the applications.
Jan Williams, representing the residents group Friends of the Sechelt Peninsula, urged the committee to deny the applications.
"When asked what they would do if denied, [project manager Cal Mark] said he will fall back on the Mines Act. Madam chair, I suggest we let him fall," Williams said.
The planning committee decision was to go to the SCRD board for final approval Sept. 21, past Coast Reporter's deadline.The site contains two trailers for offices, vehicle and equipment parking and storage of core samples of drilled minerals. It is fenced and gated and is near Sechelt's boundaries above Porpoise Bay.
"There was a dispute over who really controlled that land," Nicholson said. The SCRD filed a writ in B.C. Supreme Court last fall over PPA's land use at the site. The planning applications were made to settle the matter out of court.
"We offered them the opportunity to go through the process so they could then make sure the things that were important to their constituents could be adhered to," Nicholson said. "The compromise attempt was unsuccessful in that we were unable to meet whatever the demands were, but whatever did come out of the process will be integrated into our work habits."
In addition to public feedback, the company also received feedback from local regulators such as building and electrical inspectors.
"Even if we don't now have a temporary permit from the SCRD, we'll still act as though we did and adhere to what they recommended," Nicholson added. Planning staff had made recommendations around issues such as hours of operation, land reclamation and impacts on water sources.
Nohr said in an interview this week it is now in the hands of the mines minister.
"I'm pretty sure those people who were jumping up and cheering and everything thought that was the end of the mine. Well, that's only step one; there is a long way to go. The mines minister can override us just like that," Nohr said.
The area that PPA has been eyeing for a conveyor belt and ship loading facility also falls within the SCRD's Area B boundaries. Nicholson said if and when the company receives a provincial permit to operate a large-scale mine, which could take two years, then the company would look at applying for SCRD rezoning.
"There is no intention to apply immediately for anything [with the SCRD for Wood Bay] because we don't know exactly what would happen up the hill," Nicholson said.
Also this week, Nich-olson confirmed the company's president Alan Whitehead is resigning. Whitehead was selected for his marketing skills, but since the company is still in the exploration stage, there is nothing to sell and no guarantees there will be anything to sell until the company has a permit, Nicholson said.
"His tasks have been deferred until if and when we get a permit," Nicholson said.
"He has decided to seek other opportunities that can use his skills here and now."- With files from Christine Wood
