The province will not rescind a permit allowing a gravel pit in the Garnet Valley area of Summerland, but the terms may get changed.

On Wednesday, Sept. 25, members of Summerland council and staff met with staff from the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation.

The meeting, held in Summerland, was an opportunity for the council members to raise their concerns about the pit.

Summerland mayor Doug Holmes, Coun. Erin Trainer, Coun. Marty Van Alphen, Chief Administrative Officer Graham Statt and Director of Development Services Brad Dollevoet participated in the meeting in Summerland. Three members of the ministry were present.

鈥淲e articulated our concerns, along with what we鈥檝e heard from the community, to staff. We spoke about why we have serious environmental, infrastructure, cultural and economic issues with the location,鈥� Trainer said. 

The application for the gravel pit, at 27410 Garnet Valley Rd., was presented in December, 2003.

The permit has since received provincial approval, despite concerns about the location of this facility.

In addition to concerns raised by municipal council, other voices in the community and in the South Okanagan Similkameen have spoken out in opposition to the proposed gravel operation. These include the Penticton Indian Band, the Lower Similkameen Indian Band, the Summerland Chamber of Commerce, the Penticton and Wine Country Chamber of Commerce, the BC Wildlife Federation and residents and businesses near the proposed site.

Holmes said council was told that ministry staff do not have the authority to rescind the permit. Instead, they will take back the comments raised from the meeting in Summerland.

The ministry could amend the permit to include additional requirements, Holmes said.

There are already some requirements in the permit, including geotechnical studies.

Holmes said the outcome of the meeting was not what Summerland council had wanted.

鈥淲e wanted a full independent review, and that鈥檚 not happening,鈥� Holmes said. 

Summerland council is now considering additional steps to take to address concerns about the proposed gravel pit.

鈥淲e鈥檙e still exploring all our options, including legal options,鈥� Holmes said.

He said the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation did not follow their own guidelines.

鈥淭here were flaws in the process,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e want the province to address these flaws.鈥�

Holmes added that there is frustration since the recent Union of B.C. Municipalities conference, held in Vancouver, emphasized the importance of the province and municipalities working together 鈥� something he says has not happened with this issue.