Message from the Vice-Chair

The Panel experienced continuing pressure on the ALR for resort development during the year, particularly in the East Kootenay area. This pressure and the on-going difficulties being experienced in the ranching sector highlighted two important issues:

• The need to identify the key issues affecting the future of agriculture in the region and review the ALR in the light of these issues, and

• The importance of working with the regional district and stakeholder groups to develop a new land use strategy for the Columbia Trench that reflects the needs of the agriculture community in light of the pressures from the resort and development sectors.

In recent years the Panel has had a growing concern with regard to the number of conservation covenants that propose to significantly restrict agricultural activity. During this past year three such covenants were reviewed by the Panel none of which were approved. Discussions were held during the year with conservation groups to explain that without proper consideration of agricultural values, the registration of conservation covenants can significantly impact the agricultural economy in the Kootenays. While respecting the overall objectives of conservation covenants the Panel does not believe they should be used to eliminate or significantly restrict agriculture. More discussion is needed in this regard.

Map of Kootenay Panel Region

Area of Panel Region: 6,648,656 hectares

Area in ALR : 382,946 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.

Braund, #L-36540

In September 2006, the Panel considered a proposal on land near Windermere Lake, to develop a private, not for profit, 18-hole golf course facility on a portion of two properties totaling 164 ha.

The Panel toured the property and met with the applicant and agent in June 2006.

It was noted the property is an operating ranch. In the Panel's view, the land had agricultural capability and it did not believe that there were external factors that rendered the land unsuitable for agricultural use. The Panel was also concerned that the proposal would negatively impact existing or potential agricultural use of the subject property and surrounding lands in the long term. The application was denied.

This application was part of the Waneta Hydro-Electric Expansion Project requiring approximately 9.8 km of new transmission line to be constructed to connect the Waneta Dam Expansion Power Plant to the Selkirk substation. The majority of the new transmission line was to be located on Crown or private land outside of the ALR with the exception of a 1.5 ha area near Castlegar.

The Panel visited the site of the proposed transmission line in May 2006 and found that there are some pasture lands and existing hay fields that have already been impacted by two existing utility corridors in the vicinity. In the Panel's view, this aspect of the proposal, as it affects the ALR, was an essential part of the overall project which was benefiting the region as a whole. The Panel believed that the transmission line within the ALR would not alter or hinder the existing farm activities in the vicinity provided adequate measures were taken to prevent the spread of noxious weeds.

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.

The Panel has, in recent years, noticed a significant increase in the number of applications coming from the East Kootenay area for resort and residential development within the ALR. This together with the difficulties being experienced by the ranching industry has prompted the Panel to engage the regional district in planning processes that incorporate specific strategies for preserving agricultural land, bring additional agricultural land into production, and which strengthen the regional agricultural economy. The Commission has accordingly added this objective to its service plan for the period 2007/2010.