The Cariboo Regional District (CRD) board rejected an application to rezone a section of land in the west Chilcotin for a proposed heliski lodge.
At the CRD board meeting in Williams Lake on Jan. 24, 2025, some board members and the proponent spoke to the second reading of the proposed land use amendment for a 52-guest and 25-person staff accomodation in the Bluff Lake area of the west Chilcotin.
The proposal had been brought forward by Dave King in order to partner with Bella Coola Helisports, who currently have a heliski tenure in the area.
The vote left some in the gallery relieved and some disappointed, after a long and contentious rezoning application process.
The CRD's decision was in agreement with staff's recommendation not to go forward with the rezoning. The staff report said the recommendation was based on concerns for wildlife values in the area brought forward by the Biodiversity and Ecosystems Branch of the Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship.
Tolin Pare, CRD director for area J, west Chilcotin, started by reading his comments on the rezoning, outlining his concerns before the vote.
Pare had put forward the deferral vote on the rezoning at a Nov. 2024 CRD meeting, which he explained in his comments was to allow adequate time to consider new information which had come before the board.
"Being that I am a third generation to live, work and play in the Cariboo Chilcotin area, I totally understand and support the tourist industry," said Pare.
He listed his concerns for the proposal which included the size of the proposed lodge, the impacts to area wildlife, and concerns on the impacts on First Nations and community members who live in and around the area.
Pare said the public meeting held in Tatla Lake "did not go very well" and was dismissive of the impacts on the community.
"The amount of correspondence we have received and the number of people who have reached out to me personally has been mind-boggling," said Pare, noting he gave time to hear from everyone on the file.
"The proposed land use brings major impacts to the people who live in the area and conflicts with the provincial regulations protecting all vulnerable species," he explained of his decision to vote in favour of rejecting the proposal.
Margot Wagner, board chair, allowed Don Vanderhorst of Don Vanderhorst Consulting Ltd. to speak on behalf of the proponent Dave King, explaining it was not a public meeting so others in the gallery would not be allowed to comment.
Vanderhorst said the proposed development brought an opportunity to diversify economic opportunities in the area, pointing to the decline in the resource sector and forestry in particular. He pointed out Bella Coola Helisports has an approved licence to operate in the area already, and suggested there were ways to address wildlife concerns.
"This particular office here in Williams Lake with Ecosystems simply does not support heli-skiing and they're trying to find ways - in my opinion - to stop it," said Vanderhorst.
"There is a tremendous amount of helicopter activity elsewhere throughout the year which is not Bella Coola Helisports," he said.
Nigel Whitehead, CRD manager of planning services, clarified the staff position, by acknowledging the work put in by the proponent and their professionalism.
He said the staff's recommendation was a combination of the public feedback in coordination with the provincial ministry's wildlife concerns.
He said while the habitat polygons referenced in the report do not have the authority of legislation, they are in the Chilcotin sustainable resource management plan which was provincially endorsed.
"It's not wrong to consider that policy guidance," he said and said they are considering the land use impacts of the lodge based on heliski activity.
After the vote against the heliski development, King and Vanderhorst did not want to comment.
Coun. Percy Guichon of Tsideldel First Nation and executive director of the nation's development corporation, who was at the meeting in support of the applicant, said he was disappointed with the decision.
Guichon said he believes rejecting the development will limit opportunities for his community, which has been attempting to diversify their economic base through tourism.
Chief Lynda Price of Ulkatcho First Nation was also at the meeting to gather information, noting her community puts a high importance on wildlife protection.
West Branch Valley residents Deborah Kannegiesser and Joe Cortese said they were relieved with the decision, and encouraged by how the board dealt with the issue in listening to both sides. Both have worked in resource management in the area and said they believe the concerns of local residents and the provincial ministry's report were well-researched.
The CRD's decision means no public hearing is required and the application to rezone the 27-hectare area from rural residential and resource / agriculture to a special exception commercial zone is closed.