Mountain Coaster

Author Joanna Hirner (RPBio), Conservation Specialist, BC Parks, South Coast Region

Decision to approve the mountain coaster by Jennie Aikman, Regional Director, South Coast Region, BC Parks.

Timeline for the mountain coaster project from Elyse Curley, A/Area Supervisor-Vancouver Area, BC Parks.

Letter authorizing the mountain coaster from Jennie Aikman, Regional Director, South Coast Region, BC Parks.

Updated letter of authorization that removes the requirement for periodical environmental monitoring by Squamish Nation.

Tsleil-Waututh Nation raises its concerns about the Cypress mountain coaster and the consultation with the province in a July 3rd letter. BC Parks rebuts the concerns on July 10th.

Jennie Aikman, regional director, deliberates with Megan Beveridge of the Visitor Program about the legality of permittng the mountain coaster using a letter of authorization rather than a permit amendment long after the LOA was issued.

Report, believed to be by Joanna Hirner, stating BC Parks concerns with the updated Environmental Overview Assessment and Mitigation Plan for the mountain coaster. The original EOAMP was issued in winter with snow on the ground. The revision was made July 28th showing a significant increase in impacts from what was reviewed and approved in January.

BC Parks airs its concerns internally about scope creep on the Cypress mountain coaster. The screen shot was attached to an email entitled 2020-2021 Vancouver Conservation Priorities and address to the "AMPs table".

Mountain coaster environmental overview assessment and mitigation plan prepared in winter and subsequently used by BC Parks to assess the project. Ultimately, a review in summer found the plan seriously underestimated the impacts rendering the BC Parks assessment questionable.

A revised environmental overview assessment and mitigation plan was submitted on July 28th, 2020 and several weeks after the letter of authorization was issued for construction. BC Parks observed in a subsequent letter dated August 2nd, "the updated EOAMP shows a significant increase in project environmental impacts relative to what was reviewed and approved by BC Parks, and what was discussed with First Nations during consultation."

Letter from BC Parks to Russell Chamberlain of Cypress Resort, noting the significant increase in project environmental impacts relative to what was reviewed and approved and what was discussed with First Nations.