Thompson-Nicola Regional District has received sponsorship from the provincial Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development for a grant of Crown land.
The notification of sponsorship was in a letter to TNRD chair Randy Murray from the minister, Ida Chong released during a regional district board meeting on July 19.
The land would be used for a proposed eco-depot in Blue River. Value of the requested grant is put at close to $300,000.
Obtaining sponsorship is the first step in the application process for a Province of British Columbia sponsored Crown grant (SCG).
The Ministry has identified the proposed use of Crown land as meeting the Province’s criteria for sponsorship.
Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development sponsorship does not guarantee final approval of the application.
The intent of the sponsorship is to inform FrontCounter BC (FCBC) and the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations (FLNRO) that the Ministry supports the proposed use of the Crown land. FLNRO will review the SCG application. Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development is not involved in the adjudication process.
Any additional costs identified during processing of the TNRD’s application, other than the value of the land, will need to be covered by the applicant. These may include legal, conveyance, survey and appraisal fees, advertising, and development and marketing of the subject property. In addition, FLNRO may request the regional district’s assistance in consulting with local First Nations prior to any land transfer or tenure.
The Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development could withdraw sponsorship if there are land use conflicts that cannot be resolved or if additional costs arise from the application and no agreement is reached about payment. FCBC and FLNRO will process the application when they receive their copy of the sponsorship letter, and will notify the TNRD if additional information is required. FLNRO will then forward recommendations to Government to obtain approval for the transfer of Crown land or tenure.