The proposed Crown land tenure for the resort town covers almost the entire area of slopes in this photograph. Fish and Bear Lakes at the bottom lie close outside the proposal.
Along the scenic Highway 31A, between New Denver and Silverton, a developer has proposed a luxury resort for skiing and mountain biking, with a capacity for 1,750 guests a day. Gondolas would carry up to 1,500 guests a day onto London and Whitewater Ridges.
The whole area is prime grizzly bear and mountain goat habitat, and is frequently used by many residents of the region for noncommercial recreation. It also supports several commercial tourism businesses, although on a far smaller scale than the proposed Zincton Resort.
A wildlife impact assessment by registered professional biologist and grizzly bear expert Wayne McCrory has found that the project will significantly diminish, and could eventually wipe out, three provincially blue-listed species: grizzly bears, mountain goats and wolverines. Western toads would also suffer increased mortalities.
Grizzly bear viewing in Whitewater Valley, within the Zincton application for Crown land tenure.
LETTERS URGENTLY NEEDED BEFORE DEADLINE JUNE 22!
Download the wildlife impact assessment by Wayne McCrory.
Download the VWS submission to government.
Key points from the VWS submission.
See the Zincton proposal and government public engagement information.