This page is dedicated to the Central Okanagan's fight against gravel pits near residential areas.
Three Forks Road gravel pit (Joe Rich)
Hollis Pit Application (original) Part-1 --- Part 2 --- Part 3 --- Part 4
Ministry of Energy and Mines referral
Joe Rich residents win battle against gravel pit (Kelowna Daily Courier)
Black Mountain Irrigation District speaks out against Three Forks Pit (PDF)
Kelowna Mayor Sharon Shepherd's statement on Three Forks Pit
Photo Gallery
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Dear Mr. Government -- letters from Joe Rich children
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0Pyman pit application
Update: May 1, 2009: Black Mountain residents getting involved.
"I am a resident of Black Mountain (1261 Begley Road) and I am opposed to the Pyman Road Pit, mainly for noise and dust reasons. It also strikes me that Pyman Road would make a lovely bike trail - the view is spectacular. Thank you for the summary of on your website "itsthepits" regarding this matter."
Nancy Johnson
Family lawyer/mediator
Update April 28, 2009: As your elected representative, I sat down this week with the Pyman pit proponent, Tom Weisbeck. It was our second meeting in recent months. He says that an archaeological study remains outstanding, but the bulk of the application has been submitted to the Regional District. CORD staff is currently sifting through it and will put together a report and presented to the Board, which will vote on the matter. That could happen as early as May. But the Board is only a referral on the application, meaning the directors cannot veto it. Mr. Weisbeck says he will inform me when and if, there is a public hearing. Meantime, he assures the community that the pit operation, if it's approved, will be trucking in all water. Seeing that the new truck-climbing lane on Walker Hill, will pass Pyman Road, Mr. Weisbeck says he's waiting to hear back from Ministry of Highways on what implications the infrastructure changes will have on his, already approved intersection upgrades at Pyman and Highway 33. As your Regional District Director, I informed Mr. Weisbeck that the Regional Board recently passed a resolution calling for the launch of a pilot project based on the 3 Zone model proposed by ORCAP. The motion also called for a halt on all gravel pit applications within the Central Okanagan. Hopefully the motion will reach Victoria but there are no guarantees.
Update April 10, 2009: CORD Planning says that all the paperwork dealing with the Pyman Gravel Pit application has been received, including a water report. The material is now under review and will likely come before the Regional Board shortly. Meantime, ORCAP made a presentation to the Board this week. Grant Lawrence and Heather Larratt did a fantastic job and were complimented on their professionalism and organization. The outcome: The Board passed a motion calling on the launch of a 3 Zone (Red, Yellow, Green) pilot project in the Central Okanagan. The second part of the motion calls for a halt on all gravel pit applications until further notice.
Update Feb 1, 2009: "I had the opportunity to sit down with Tom Weisbeck, VP of CRC Developments, regarding the Pyam Road gravel pit application in Joe Rich. We established a platform for future correspondence and discussed the application. I indicated to Mr. Weisbeck that I was representing the electorate of Joe Rich as the Regional District Director for Central Okanagan East. Mr. Weisbeck indicated that CRC intends to go ahead with the application and that a decision is still pending. If the application is approved, he emphasized that the proposed pit will be developed in several stages with vegetation occurring in each phase and the pit will not be visible from the highway. Mr. Weisbeck indicated that all efforts will be made to adhere to provincial standards on dust mitigation. He said that the addition of roughly 50 trucks a day on Highway 33 will not jeopardize safety and noted that the gravel trucks will be empty when climbing Walker's Hill. He said that they have several very small water licenses, all of which are surface water, ponds and springs. Mr. Weisbeck said they are not sure where the water will come from although it will be a condition of the permit if there is to be processing. Mr. Weisbeck has agreed to future meetings with the Regional Director and firmly believes that they will be a benefit to us all."
Update Jan 24, 2009: The following documents have been released by the proponent to the government. They deal with:
Update Jan 23, 2009: Big White has written a letter to Ministry of Mines expressing its concerns about additional truck traffic on Highway 33 and what impact a gravel pit on Pyman would have on tourism.i.e. visual first impression. The agent for the Pyman pit application has agreed to begin dialogue with the community through the Regional Director. School District 23 has sent the BC government a letter expressing concern that school districts have no say in aggregate applications.
Update Dec 24, 2008: A Joe Rich resident compiled this list of species that inhabit the Black Mountain grasslands area. It can be argued that the Pyman Road gravel pit will undoubtedly put the future of these species at risk. Document
Update Dec. 21, 2008: Letter from Black Mountain resident.
"My name is Christina Ross and myself and my family live in the Black Mountain area. I attended the protest a few months back and was extremely surprised that more Black Mtn residents were not in attendance. We are jointly concerned about the possibility of a gravel pit being introduced to the immediate area. This will greatly affect the traffic, which is already an issue, on Hwy 33. That being said, the elementary school that is located just off Hwy 33 will be affected also. Walking along Hwy 33 with a family is a safety issue as it stands now; with the addition of more trucks constantly traveling this route, it will become even more of a concern. Not to mention the dust, or water to keep the dust down. Where is the water intended to be supplied from as it already seems to be on rations in the upper areas? I know you already know all of this, just wanted to voice the opinion of yet another concerned family in the Black Mtn area." Christina Ross Traut Rd Black Mtn, Kelowna BC
Update Dec. 14, 2008: Joe Rich resident Jim Turner's letter to Ministry of Energy and Mines. Link
Update Dec. 12, 2008: Central Okanagan School Trustee Rolli Cacchioni has added his voice to the gravel pit controversy. "As a School Board Trustee for the City of Kelowna, I am concerned about the proposed gravel pits in the Joe Rich area of the Central Okanagan Regional District. One of our schools, Black Mountain Elementary , is located on Highway 33, near the eastern boundary of the city. Gravel trucks proceeding from the Joe Rich area will pass by the school as children walk back and to school. The Ministry of Mines has been asked by the SD #23 Board of Education to change its procedures so that School Districts would be included in the consultation process. This has not happened. The safety of our children is paramount. The Ministry needs to consider this, when deciding whether or not to issue gravel pit approvals." Rolli Cacchioni School Trustee -City of Kelowna SD# 23 Board of Education (email)
Update Dec. 10, 2008: BC Transportation approved design of Pyman/Highway 33 upgrades (PDF)
Update Dec. 3, 2008: Hayes calls for review (Capital News)
Update Nov.29, 2008: "The Ministry of Transportation has confirmed that it has completed its referral to the Ministry of Energy and Mines dealing with the Pyman Road pit application. According to Transportation, the applicant must construct a "left turn slot" and "right turn tapers" on Highway 33 at Pyman. The applicant is also required to pave a 60 metre section of Pyman Road including any adjustments to Highway 33. However, the Ministry of Transportation says the applicant is not required to install a right turn lane because, "sight distances are adequate." Some of you may have noticed fence posts going up at the Pyman Road entrance. The above is proof that the application is moving full steam ahead. There will be an emergency meeting called likely Wednesday, Dec. 3 at the Joe Rich Community Hall. Waiting for confirmation. Kelowna MP Ron Cannan, MLA Al Horning, Liberal Candidate Norm Letnick and Kelowna city councillors will be invited to attend."
Update Nov. 27, 2008: "There has been some activity at the gate of the Pyman Road entrance. The most recent update would suggest that the applicant is making additions, including fence posts and an another gate about 150 metres from the main entrance.This activity would suggest that the application is moving ahead. I have begun another round of lobbying all levels of government to have this application stopped. Please join the fight and email your MP Ron Cannan, MLA Al Horning, Liberal candidate Norm Letnick, Kelowna Mayor Sharon Shepherd and Minister of Mines Gordon Hogg, expressing your concerns this pit will have on your safety and health."
Land Reserve Commission approves of pit location 2002
Regional District Reacts to proposed pit location (2002)
Applicant makes switch from Goudie to Pyman road
Refferal from Ministry of Energy and Mines
Interior Health Authority of BC Does Not Oppose Pit Application (JPEG)
More Maps -- Pyman1 -- Pyman2 -- Pyman3
Joe Rich residents Call Emergency Meeting (Kelowna Daily Courier)
Joe Rich Residents Launch Protest (Kelowna Daily Courier)
Photo Gallery
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Peachland: Our southern neighbours in Peachland are in the midst of fighting a gravel pit application.
They are highly organized and have taken full advantage of the web as a communication portal. Website
The Solution
The coalition of Okanagan groups opposed to urban mining in residential areas generated this proposal in answer to requests from the Honorable MLAs, Rick Thorpe and Al Horning. These zones are based on a review of the Abbotsford model, RDCO Aggregate Supply and Demand Study, gravel pit regulation in North American jurisdictions, lawsuit outcomes and haul route criteria. (Document prepared by Larratt Aquatic Consulting) Click here to view document
Legal Ramifications: Grant Lawrence of ORCAP was kind enough to forward this Globe and Mail article indicating that a precedent has been set where gravel pit operators can be held liable. Link
What is ORCAP?
ORCAP was formed in reaction to the recent and rapid increase in the number of aggregate, sand and gravel, mining pits and associated mining practices adjacent to residential areas in the Okanagan Valley and the resulting negative impact this has on the quality of life of the residents and visitors.