| |
Proposed
Development on Lot 48
Fairmont
Hot Springs Resort (FHSR) purchased the parcel of land know
as "Lot 48" on the Columbia Headwaters, and later
successfully petitioned to have it re-zoned for resort development
during a time when there was not standardized land use plans
and practices, or the need to consult with the Ktunaxa. Subsequently,
over the years they have drawn up plans for 600 room resort,
with an accompanying 18-hole golf course.
** Prior to the third and final readings of Bylaws
No. 1880 & 1881, Fairmont Hot Springs Resort under the
new ownership of Ken Fowler
Enterprises requested and was granted a sixth month deferral
while they approach the Provincial Government in respect to
the sale of Lot 48 to protect it's cultural and ecological
value in perpetuity.
Cultural Impact
The Ktunaxa have been using
the Columbia Headwaters for thousands of years, and are intimately
connected with the land.
There are many archaeological sites and artifacts that have
already been damaged in the area with the limited use that
it currently sees. Adding a resort would be asking for further
damage to the perishing cultural resources that exist in the
Columbia Headwaters. It would be a violation of Ktunaxa Aboriginal
Rights and be disturbing cultural values within the Ktunaxa
Traditional Territory.
Ecological Impact
Lot 48 is surrounded by natural ecosystems and conservation-oriented
land uses, such as Columbia Lake Provincial Park, a protected
Wildlife Management Area, and Ecological Reserves, all of
which make up the Columbia Headwaters. Columbia Lake is a
shallow, sensitive lake, and currently only experiences light
recreational use. The increased use from vacationers and homeowners
at the proposed resort threatens the ecological integrity
of the lake and important fish species like burbot (ling)
which spawn and rear in the lake.
The development and the access road through Columbia Lake
will also have impacts on a wide variety of wildlife species
including elk, Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep, badger, small
mammals and birds. The proposed, expanded access road through
the park cuts through an important wildlife migration corridor
between the Rocky and Purcell mountains – a corridor
that has been largely secured through the designation of wildlife
management areas and purchase and dedication of the Hoffert/Hoodoos
property to conservation.
The expanded access road will also be located within a few
metres, along much of its length, of the Columbia River. The
expanded road, if approved, would impact and prevent restoration
of this ecologically-important area.
The resort is not a good fit within the area.
Re-zoning
of Lot 48 by the RDEK
The RDEK staff has recommended to the
RDEK Board of Directors that this development does not fit
the area. Their recommendation is to re-zone the land back
to agricultural status.They have further said that the decision
to grant resort development status was granted in the 80's
when there wasn't standardized land use practices.
Bylaws No. 1880 & 1881 were put forward with the intention
of down-zoning the lot back to agricultural status. The first
and second readings of the bylaws were passed, leaving only
the third readings before Lot 48 would be re-zoned.
* Prior to the third and final readings, Fairmont
Hot Springs Resort under the new ownership of Ken
Fowler Enterprises requested and was granted a sixth month
deferral while they approach the Provincial Government in
respect to the sale of Lot 48 to protect it's cultural and
ecological value in perpetuity.
Park Boundary Adjustment
One of the main reasons the development of the proposed resort
by FHSR has not happened yet, has been the lack of road and
power access to Lot 48. FHSR has requested that the Ministry
of Environment enact the Park
Boundary Adjustment to Columbia Lake Provincial Park,
so that they can proceed with the road and power line construction
right through the middle of the narrow park.
* The new ownership of the Fairmont Hot Springs Resort
has offered to withdraw the application for the Park Boundary
Adjustment from active processing during the six month deferral
on Bylaws No. 1880 & 1881.
Learn more about the requested
Park Boundary Adjustment.
| About the Columbia Headwaters | Overview & Location | Historic Ktunaxa Use |
| Ktunaxa Connectedness to the Land | The Columbia Headwaters at Risk |
| Proposed Development on Lot 48 | Park Boundary Adjustment |
| Columbia Lake Water Zoning | Unanswered Questions | Take Action |
| Frequently Asked Questions | Media & Links |
|
|
