By Paula Rodriguez de la Vega

According to the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (MOTI), about 85 people had an opportunity to attend the Open House of January 12th regarding the proposal for a Highway expansion at McIntyre Bluffs. MOTI is proposing to widen Highway 97 just north of Gallagher Lake near McIntyre Bluff to establish passing lanes in each direction. It will be a considerable Highway expansion to 2.5 times wider than it currently is today. It appears that MOTI does not have any further public meetings planned.

The property owners that will be affected by the proposed expansion have a range of concerns. These include concerns over the lack of public involvement in planning, landowner notification, and the use of tax payer money as this section was just re-paved last year. In addition, landowners and other concerned citizens worry about environmental impacts to the antelope-brush habitat, which is considered one of Canada’s four most endangered ecosystems, impacts to Species at Risk, and lack of mitigation measures.

According to MOTI’s Project Manager for the McIntyre expansion, Mr. Rampaul Dulay, they will have an environmental assessment done by this summer. However, it seems that the assessment has not yet begun. Considering there are over 50 Species at Risk listed for the south Okanagan area, a proper environmental assessment should span several seasons so as to ensure that the use and movement of those species is accounted for.

The south Okanagan has already lost the Burrowing Owl, Pygmy Short-horned Lizard, Sharp-tailed Grouse, Sage Grouse, Viceroy butterfly, Leopord Frog, and the White-tailed Jackrabbit. These species are now gone from here mostly due to habitat loss. Considerable amount of money has been spent to re-introduce the Burrowing Owl in the past, and a third attempt is underway.

The McIntyre Bluff area has antelope-brush habitat which is the home to many species found only in this part of Canada. Most of these animals are struggling as the habitat continues to shrink.

The McIntyre area is also the narrowest low-elevation spot in the Okanagan valley, making it a bottleneck for migratory species which travel North and South thru this valley. Whether a driver admits it or not, highways are hard on wildlife.  Just a scan of the Highway 97 shoulder during any given month you will see an assortment of animals that did not make their journey across the highway.  Birds, snakes, turtles, frogs, and a myriad of other less noticeable species have met their demise as we whisk our way between communities.

Highways can be designed to minimize impacts on wildlife, as well as to serve their purpose of safety and efficient travel. However, that can take time, effort and resources.  Projects like this should have a high degree of public participation at all stages, as well as rigorous environmental assessments, and a substantial compensation fund to purchase land or habitat that has been lost as a result of the construction.

There are many issues and concerns both from a motor vehicle user perspective and from the scenic, environmental, and landowner perspectives. It will be interesting to learn more about the long-term plans that MOTI has for road expansions in the area. Hopefully they will implement further public consultation, and find a balance to address concerns.