THE GALLOWAY LANDS DEVELOPMENT: ERA CONCERNS
SUMMARY
A new estate housing development is proposed for an area close to Fernie. For the development to go through, the area needs to be rezoned by the RDEK. ERA is concerned that the development and associated infrastructure (as currently presented) will have adverse impacts on Lizard creek, a stream the ERA has studied since 2011.
While ERA is not opposed to development in principle, we have significant concerns about the environmental impacts that the current Galloway proposal will have on the Lizard Creek ecosystem.
WHAT IS THE “GALLOWAY LANDS DEVELOPMENT”?
A new 90-home development is proposed for an area between the Fernie Alpine Resort and the Mt. Fernie Provincial Park. Currently this area is used by the Nordic Ski club for recreational trails, which have minimal environmental impact.
Before development begins, the 457 acre area needs to be re-zoned by the RDEK. For reference, this is an area almost the size of downtown Fernie, the Annex, and Ridgemont combined.
The development will border Lizard Creek, and include the construction of a new bridge across the creek. This new bridge will need to be large enough to support emergency and construction vehicles.
LIZARD CREEK IS A VALUABLE STREAM IN THE ELK VALLEY
The Elk River Alliance has worked on Lizard Creek since 2011. It is the stream we know the best, and it is one of the least disturbed and most productive creeks that we monitor.
A VITAL TROUT SPAWNING HABITAT
In separate studies, the Elk River Alliance and Teck found that Lizard Creek had the highest number of trout spawning habitats (redds) of all streams monitored. In the Calcite Monitoring Report prepared for Teck by Ecofish Research, Lizard Creek was as a non-mine-affected reference site and had 196 redds in 2019 (more than all other creeks combined). In the 2019 ERA survey of fish habitat in Coal, Forsyth, Lizard and Morrissey creeks, Lizard Creek contained by far the highest number of Westslope cutthroat trout (WCT) spawning redds, with a total of 55 redds (for a rate of 22.9 redds/km). No redds were found in Coal or Forsyth creeks, and 7 redds were found in Morrissey Creek (1.9 redds/km).
Lizard Creek also provides a valuable habitat for animals, including: Grizzly bears, elk, salamanders, moose, olive-sided flycatchers, American dippers, and many more!
Photos provided courtesy of Trevor Haldene
ERA’s ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS
Urban development has many adverse impacts on streams. ERA is very concerned that the building construction, bridge installation, stormwater runoff, and increased access to the stream and surrounding trails will have negative impacts on the in the stream health.
Industrial, resource, and urban land-uses in the Elk Valley have been been increasing over time. Few streams are left that are not impacted by humans, and preserving our healthy streams is essential to maintaining quality of life in the Elk Valley.
HOW TO VOICE YOUR OPNINION
Attend the RDEK hearings
IN PERSON:
FERNIE FAMILY CENTER
WEDNESDAY, MAY 3rd
7 PM
ONLINE:
TBD
THURSDAY, MAY 4th
7 PM
Email the RDEK
tvandewiel@rdek.bc.ca
Questions? Email info@elkriveralliance.ca
WHY IS ERA INVOLVED?
While ERA is not opposed to development in principle, we have significant concerns about the environmental impacts that the current Galloway proposal will have on the Lizard Creek ecosystem.
OUR MISSION AND VISION
OUR VISION
A healthy river ecosystem that sustains the Elk Valley for present and future generations.
OUR MISSION
Operating since 2010, the Elk River Alliance is a community-based water charity that connects people to the Elk River using science, education and community collaboration to ensure sustainable stewardship of the Elk River watershed.
OUR GUIDING PRINCIPLES
- Stimulate conversation, share information and facilitate community input to encourage sustainable water decision-making in the Elk Valley.
- Promote a new ERA in watershed thinking by coordinating a community voice to contribute to watershed planning and management activities, regulatory processes and other regional water initiatives.
- Bring together diverse points of view and offer a safe place to dialogue about the Elk River.
- Unite not divide
OUR APPROACH
ERA uses education and outreach programs that raise watershed literacy, informs sustainable water decision-making and collects science to prioritize community involvement that protects, enhances and restores aquatic ecosystems.
OUR GOALS
- Facilitate dialogue, collaboration and community engagement across the watershed, undertaking education to promote environmental literacy and awareness.
- Collect, interpret and use scientific data to protect and restore the Elk River watershed.
- Promote safe and environmentally responsible use of the Elk River.