Summerland council, business angry over gravel pit mine approval [Video]

The anger among community and business leaders in Summerland, B.C., is palpable after the provincial government announced its tentative approval of a controversial gravel pit mining operation in the Garnet Valley.

Summerland Mayor Doug Holmes and local Chamber of Commerce executive director Sally Pierce say they don’t understand how an inspector from the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation could approve such a project and have sent letters to that effect to the provincial government.

“It doesn’t make a lot of sense to me,” said Holmes. “The number one concern is the environmental impact would be immense.”

He said the B.C. Wildlife Federation has made it clear the proposed site is located in the middle of a long-established habitat for deer, bighorn sheep, mule deer and numerous other species.

The area is also popular with climbers, hikers, mountain bikers and all kinds of other outdoor enthusiasts, he said.

“The idea …