District stops work after developer found working ‘prematurely’ in Garibaldi Springs

The District of Squamish staff stopped work at Garibaldi Springs after finding that the developer had started work prematurely in August.

In a response to a local resident, Gary Buxton, the general manager of community planning and infrastructure, said that while some of the work had DFO approval, it had not been approved by the district yet.

“We also found inadequate erosion and sediment controls in place. Consequently we have stopped the work until such time as all approvals and protective measures are in place,” he said.

Buxton was responding to an area resident who wrote with concerns about the development.

“They are digging and moving dirt in the golf course and the proposals all tell me that that area in the golf course is supposed to be untouched and kept as green space. Can someone please tell me what they are doing back there?” the resident wrote.

Buxton said while the golf course would remain largely undeveloped, part of the approvals did allow for modifications to the ponds on the golf course, to improve how they function environmentally.

The proposed changes are considered habitat enhancement, and as part of this work, the site contractor is stockpiling fill material in one of the fairways in the southern portion of the parcel behind the Meighan Creek strata property.

“That material will ultimately be used to infill the ‘unproductive’ pond at the southern end of the property, in accordance with the Federal Dept. of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) application. This work has been approved both by DFO and the District via a Soils Permit. It is known to the District and is consistent with the plans for the area,” Buzton said.