Some Squamish residents are concerned with a development proposal that could result in a new paving plant being built in Squamish.
The owner of Okanagan Aggregates, Fred Gilowski, confirmed this week that his company had applied to Lands and Water B.C. for approval to build a new plant in Squamish.
He said he made the application because he wanted to capitalize on the developments the Olympics would generate.
"I wish I could tell you more about what’s going on but we’re really not going to know much until we hear back from Lands and Water," Gilowski said.
While nothing has been confirmed yet, a number of residents and the other paving company in Squamish, Alpine Paving, were alarmed by the news and have sent letters to Lands and Water voicing their concern.
Most of this concern stems from the fact that Okanagan Aggregates have applied to build their plant on Crown Land not far from two schools and the Squamish airport.
Some residents are also concerned the fumes and activity associated with the plant might affect wildlife.
Thor Froslev owns the Brackendale Art Gallery and organizes the Brackendale Eagle Count every year.
Froslev said the District of Squamish should simply not accept any industry that could result in any kind of pollution.
"You can’t have another asphalt plant in the District of Squamish – we’ve had enough pollution in this valley over the years already," Froslev said.
"The lungs of Brackendale will be in Pemberton if something like that comes here."
Froslev argued that the plant would create fumes.
"That’s what a lot of these companies are doing these days, applying to Lands and Water on Crown land so they don’t have to go through the council.
"And it’s ridiculous because they want to put it just north of Brackendale elementary and the secondary school and right near the airport."
Concerned residents have been instructed by Lands and Water to voice their concerns in writing by May 20.
