The Penticton and Wine Country Chamber of Commerce is the latest to publicly and formally oppose a gravel pit north of Summerland. 

The pit, located in the Garnet Valley Area, has earned condemnation from the Penticton Indian Band, District of Summerland, Regional District of South Okanagan Similkameen, Summerland Chamber of Commerce, Lower Similkameen Indian Band and the BC Wildlife Federation.

After initial opposition from residents and the municipality of Summerland at the start of the year, the Inspector of Mines still approved the mine application for the gravel pit.

鈥淚t is deeply concerning that after three local governments, the Penticton Indian Band, the District of Summerland, and the Regional District of the Okanagan Similkameen, all objected to this application, that the province would still go ahead and issue a permit,鈥� stated Jordan Knox, president of the Penticton Chamber.

The area the mine would be located has been described as environmentally important, as well as a cultural and traditional site for the syilx Okanagan people. 

The Penticton Chamber has sent a formal letter, joining those from other local governments and organizations, calling on B.C. Minister of
Energy, Mines, and Low Carbon Innovation Josie Osborne to override the Inspector's decision to approve the mine. 

鈥淚n the event that the province does not reverse their decision, we believe that Minister Osborne needs to publicly explain why the objections of local governments and hundreds of residents did not meet the threshold to deny this gravel mine operation," said Michael Magnusson, the Penticton Chamber's executive director. 

In addition to the impacts to the environment and relations with the Indigenous community from the project, the impact to the agri-tourism industry in the area and the impact to local agricultural businesses are also a point of concern.