A Surrey-based development company is addressing concerns about its proposed seniors housing complex in Summerland impacting water that supplies a local fish hatchery.
The Summerland Trout Hatchery is the oldest active trout hatchery in the province.
It’s owned and operated by the Freshwater Fisheries Society of B.C., which said the Summerland hatchery raises one million fish to stock 300 lakes in the province every year.
There is concern its water quality and quantity might be jeopardized by the proposed seniors’ housing development.
That’s because the water for the hatchery is sourced entirely from a groundwater spring near the 13-acre site just above Okanagan Lake, where the development would be built.
The developer, the Lark Group, hired a hydro geologist for consultation and the hatchery commissioned a separate study as well.
“There is a storm drain available so any surface water will not be going into the spring.”
The hatchery was also worried about the project impacting the aquifer, which Lark Group senior vice president, Kirk Fisher said won’t be a problem.
“We’ve done the drill tests that are required and the consultant has confirmed that the project does not affect the aquifer,” Fisher said.
Fisher said the Lark Group is also working up strategies to mitigate potential sediment and erosion issues.
But still, there remains opposition to the development. Residents’ concerns range from having any development on the land which is zoned by the district for agriculture and noise.
There’s more public consultation planned for the early New Year, January 16th and 19th.
The developer hopes to have shovels in the ground by next summer.
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