A short notice recently appeared in the Cortes Tideline, advising residents of the intention of Island United to quadruple the size of their quarry. The quarry (traditionally known as “the Pit”) is located in the Whaletown area, some distance into the bush on Jimmy Smith Grade. Island United is a rock, gravel and construction firm owned and operated by local resident Howard Nielsen, who bought the operation a few years ago from long-time owner Dave McCoy.
Although the Tideline posting is undated, the appearance of the same notice in the British Columbia Gazette on April 9th suggests that it may have been posted simultaneously to various provincial/regional media on the same date. The gist of the proposal is as follows:
2385425 Alberta Ltd. is applying to update the tenure holder on the file, increase the size of the tenure from 1.25ha to 5.16ha and notify the Ministry of Forests of the application to the Ministry of Mining and Critical Minerals to approve washing as a permitted activity, introduce a concrete plant onsite and increase the annual extraction rate to 39,999 tonnes a year. […] There is no Official Community Plan for Cortes Island. The Electoral Area “I” (Cortes Island) Zoning Bylaw, 2002 governs the area and designates the lands as Forestry One (F-1). Quarrying is considered a compatible use within Forestry One zoned lands. Cortes Island’s Vital Signs – 2024 Report dictates the need for year round jobs and new construction to feed sustainable employers. As such, the Cortes Island Quarry is integral to the economic growth of the Island.
— From application documents available at the library, emphasis added
Discussion of this news has begun on one of the Cortes Island Facebook pages (“We Heart Cortes Island”). Local resident “Mercedes” posted helpful information about the application process and the window for public comment.
She informed readers that documents related to the proposal are available for public perusal at the Library (at Linnaea Farm). There is a defined period for public input, which closes on May 8th.. Cortes residents have until that date to communicate any concerns to the relevant authorities. [See end of article, below, for details copied from her Facebook post which explain the correct procedure for submitting comments.]
Island United explained their decision to apply for expansion in the course of the Facebook discussion: “Due to growing demand, an ever-expanding customer base and our desire to provide enough product on Cortes, we have applied to expand the pit. “
While initial comments on the Facebook thread were mostly positive and encouraging, a few residents expressed some concerns about noise and environmental impact. Neighbours in the Robertson Road area had some criticisms of the “management plan” element of the application, which they shared in direct correspondence with Currents.
They reported finding several errors in that section of the documents, including:
- Cortes is not “Electoral Area I” but Electoral Area B;
- Cortes Island does actually have an OCP,;
- Cortes is served by more than 2 ferry sailings per day;
- the documents puzzlingly specify quarry access via “Robinson” [actually Robertson?] Road.
Some reference was made to a “peregrine” on the site, which may be another error; the presence of a Northern Goshawk in the vicinity of the Pit was reported not too long ago.
The Cortes Streamkeepers also have some questions, starting with the impact this expanded quarrying activity will have on the James Creek watershed — the largest watershed on Cortes. James Creek’s headwaters originate in the immediate area of IU’s operation. Streamkeepers also expressed concern about spawning salmon stocks, as both coho and chum are found quite far up into the headwaters near the gravel pit. Cortes Streamkeepers have not been consulted in the planning process.
If access to the expanded operation really is planned via Robertson Road, then there would be significant impact on Cortes neighbours who live on that narrow, partially-paved and steep roadway. It seems unlikely that such a radical proposal would meet with community approval. On the other hand, if the name of the access road is simply wrong, that may not be entirely reassuring. Some neighbours felt that errors such as they found on even a cursory reading of the application paperwork suggest haste, carelessness, or possible use of AI tools rather than a well-researched and thoughtful plan that has been proofread and fact-checked by informed editors. More than one neighbour felt it important for as many islanders as possible to visit the library or otherwise access the application file, and carefully review the documents prior to the deadline for comment.
Some residents on Facebook expressed enthusiasm for the project, as the expansion of a successful local business that they appreciate and admire. Bringing aggregate and gravel in on the ferry is carbon-intensive, and the massive trucks take up deck space that residents would like to occupy. Meeting that demand locally seems more sensible and desirable to some islanders.
However, the language of the application is likely to raise environmental and quality-of-life concerns for islanders who reside near the operation or enjoy hiking on the old logging roads near the quarry. Residents are likely to want to know what a “washing” operation is and how much water it uses (and how the runoff is processed and channelled); what a “concrete plant onsite” actually means; and what impacts on the quiet and rural Whaletown neighbourhood can be expected from the extraction of just under 40 thousand tons of gravel per year. Some skeptics have asked whether the local market can actually absorb that amount of mining output — and if it cannot, where the excess will be marketed and sold.
Given the diversity of responses and questions already arising from this ambitious proposal, it may well be that Island United’s latest project will in practise generate more division than unity. Currents will continue to cover this story as it unfolds.
For Cortes residents who wish to convey their comments and concerns –whether in favour of the project or against it — we reprint here the useful information provided by “Mercedes” on Facebook.
PROCESS FOR SUBMITTING COMMENTS/CONCERNS/FEEDBACK – ONLINE
- If you are concerned about what this means for the community and the land, you can view more details about the project by visiting the online Regional Mines Public Engagement Portal:
- From here you’ll see the “Cortes Island Quarry”, with a couple of buttons below that say “See Details” and “Submit Comments”. The option to submit a comment will lead you to a page that explains the guidelines/what they need from you. I’ve listed them below.
- EMAIL ADDRESS TO ADDRESS COMMENTS (Note: there is no separate form to fill out, it has to be sent through your own email address): SouthwestMinesDivision@gov.bc.ca. You can also choose to CC Island United pm@islandunited.ca.
If the comment does not comply with the following requirements it may not be considered during the permit decision process:
- Be clear and concise
- Use respectful language
- Must contain information directly relating to the application open for comment
- Must be submitted prior to the deadline of May 8th
For email submissions, in addition to the above:
- Ensure the mine name “CORTES ISLAND QUARRY” is in your subject line
- Provide:
- Your first and last name and contact information (optional)
- The city, town or municipality you reside in (optional)
- Information on how this application affects or interests you (required)
- Attachments must be no larger than 10 MB
- Accepted files: .png, .pdf, .gif, .jpg, .jpeg, .doc, .docx, .xls, .xlst, .ppt, .rtf, .pptx, .txt or .bmp
- Zip files are not accepted
PROCESS OF SUBMITTING COMMENTS/CONCERNS/FEEDBACK – WRITTEN/ANALOG
Any person affected by or interested in this program has until May 8th to make written representation to
The Ministry of Mining and Critical Minerals,
c/o Southwest Regional Office,
PO Box 9395 Stn Prov Govt,
Victoria, BC, V8W 9W9
and
Island United,
764 Whaletown Road,
Cortes Island, BC V0P 1K0
DEADLINE TO SUBMIT COMMENTS
Island United General Manager, Tanya Kennedy told me the deadline to submit comments is May 11, 2026 — but the online portal clearly says May 8, 2026. Readers are strongly encouraged to submit before May 8th to ensure your opinions and concerns are recorded.
For those who would like to dig deeper into current research on the environmental impacts of quarrying, this literature survey paper from 2024 may be of interest.
[All photos by author, except capture of orthophoto map by “Mercedes”]