Okanagan bands reach tentative agreement

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Native leaders and the British Columbia have come to a tentative agreement regarding a ski hill expansion in the Okanagan.

After four days of round-the-clock discussion with the Penticton, Upper and Lower Similkameen bands, the provincial government has reached an initial agreement with the band, said Penticton councillor Stewart Phillip.

"Considering the fact that there was a marked distance between both positions, that we have arrived at an initial agreement is a point to be optimistic about," said Phillip. Details of the agreement are not being released until the communities ratify it in a public meeting, which was delayed due to the death of a local Elder.

The Okanagan bands have been calling for an independent environmental review and assessment of the planned $20 million expansion of the Apex Alpine ski resort since 1992. The bands are concerned about the impact increased residential density on the hill will have on the area's watershed, sewage disposal and traffic volume.

When repeated attempts to meet with government officials to discuss the issues were stymied, the bands established selective checkpoints on three access roads to the hill. The checkpoints allowed tourists and residents access to the hill by helicopter for almost two weeks until construction workers were routed through a mining road.

"Certainly the province has really come to understand our position a lot more clearly as a result of the actions of the last three weeks," Phillip said.

The planned ski hill expansion will double the volume of visitors per three-month season from approximately 95,000 to 180,000 people travelling to the mountain by 1998. Work is proceeding on an additional hotel which will contribute to a total of 3,793 beds up from 1,238 spaces.

While Phillip is keeping mum on the contents of the agreement and declines comment on a possible outcome of the ratification vote, he was sure about the selective blockade.

"Until such time as the initial agreement is ratified, the checkpoints stay in place. They were a community-drive action, and it will be up the community to call them off."