• Introduction
• Map of Interior Panel Region
• Panel Statistics (April 1, 2006 - March 31, 2007)
• Applications of Interest
• Issues of Interest

The Interior Panel of the Agricultural Land Commission administers the ALR lying between Kamloops and Quesnel. This is the ranching belt of British Columbia. In recent years, cattle ranching has been under economic pressure due to the BSE crisis. While this crisis appears to be easing, the economic stresses brought about by cattle export restrictions in past years continues to reverberate throughout the region. Established ranches are under pressure to diversify income or access equity in ranch properties. In addition there are constant pressures on ranching lands from urbanites seeking land for recreational and residential uses.

The Interior Panel reviewed 59 new applications for subdivision, exclusion and non-farm use in 2006/2007. Applications are characterized by exclusion or subdivision of larger grazing/range parcels adjoining; major highways for commercial/industrial uses (in select locations); and lakes for residential uses. The Panel takes the view that on occasion benefits can be achieved for agriculture when multiple parcels are under application. For example, owners may have the option to consolidate farm remnants to at least balance the effects of subdivision, exclusion or non-farm use and more preferably, to enhance the agricultural utility of the land.

The use of large grazing parcels exclusively for residential uses, can degrade the grassland resource, and result in residential/farm conflicts and a patchwork, discontinuous, non-working landscape. The Commission is working with ranchers and landowners to minimize the impact of residential uses on the working landscape.

Transportation corridors on scarce valley bottom land may represent a significant loss of the highest capability agricultural land in the region. These lands are also under pressure for recreational uses (golf courses and playing fields), as well as commercial and industrial uses associated with transportation infrastructure.

Map of Interior Panel Region

Area of Panel Region: 16,234,297 hectares

Area in ALR: 1,496,208 hectares

Panel Statistics, April 1, 2006 - March 31, 2007

Applications of Interest

The following selected examples illustrate how the Agricultural Land Commission panels responded to proposals to change the ALR boundary or to requests for subdivision or non-farm use of ALR lands. Applications are considered on the merits of each case at hand in the context of the Commission's mandate and take into account an assessment of factors related to agricultural capability and suitability and impact upon the ALR.

The application was to exclude from the ALR, 47 ha in Kamloops to build 320 single-family homes, 950 multi-family homes, 20,000 ft2 of commercial space and to use 46.1 ha in the ALR for a golf course. The former Tranquille Health Care Institution is located on the property which includes approximately 100 abandoned structures.

In its review, the Interior Panel noted that in 1989, approval had been given to the then Ministry of Crown Lands to exclude 32 ha of land that encompassed the health facility and to use 10 ha for recreational use provided the recreational use did not encroach on adjacent agricultural land. The land was never excluded because the required fence and buffer were not established.

In July 2006 the application was refused as proposed. However, in light of the 1989 decision the Panel indicated it was prepared to consider a revised proposal that benefited agriculture by more efficiently configuring agricultural fields and designing the urban uses and infrastructure in such a way as to not intrude on or impact the agricultural area of the property.

Commission staff subsequently worked with the proponent and a revised proposal was reviewed by the Panel February 2007. The revised development proposal was approved as the Panel believed that overall, the suitability of the ALR lands for farm use would be preserved, and in some cases improved, and that the impact of the proposed non-farm uses would be mitigated and contained. The Panel required the development to proceed in phases to ensure the agricultural improvements associated with the project would be substantially completed in phase one. Agricultural improvements include the consolidation of the agricultural area into a single parcel, upgrading the irrigation infrastructure, securing water rights, repairing and constructing fences and vegetative screening, reclamation of debilitated lands associated with the Tranquille facility by removing derelict buildings and soil remediation.

Issues of Interest

The following selected example illustrates how the integration and coordination of interests regarding land use planning and resource management require ongoing dialogue and collaboration between local governments and the Agricultural Land Commission.

In 2006/07, the Panel encouraged agricultural development and reclamation of debilitated lands comprising the historic Tranquille site located on Kamloops Lake in the westerly part of the City of Kamloops. In response to an application for housing and a resort in the ALR, the Commission directed development away from high capability lands, required the agricultural development of fallow lands, and reclamation of previously debilitated lands to agricultural uses, resulting in a benefit for agriculture. It is the Commission’s view that by working cooperatively with the proponent and the City from a land use planning perspective, agricultural values were addressed.