The Agricultural Land Commission has released its reasons for denying the request to hold this year’s Salmon Arm Summer Stomp on agricultural land in Silver Creek.
Because organizers have not been able to secure a site, 2011 will be the first in 22 years with no Stomp.
The commission’s reasons are summed up in the following paragraph of its report dated June 9.
“Ultimately, the commission is concerned that the festival will reduce the agricultural usefulness of the subject site, damage the soil structure from compaction, impact soil health from contamination, and raise expectations of permanent land use change. The music festival could negatively impact the agricultural potential of the subject site and adjacent area as a productive and sustainable farm area.”
In a news release issued last week, the Stomp committee stated:
“It is unfortunate that it was too late this year to secure a site but we have high hopes and aspirations for next year. One of the sites we are working on is not governed by the ALC and we have received positive feedback from the owners of the property regarding next year’s event.”
Committee members added that they would welcome other ideas for sites as well.
The news release emphasized the committee’s disappointment with the commission.
“Throughout the year we have attempted to procure many sites but were turned away for multiple reasons. Finally last month, we were refused by the ALC on our most desired site, thus ending the event for this year. Whether the land was in use at this time or not seemed to be of no consequence to this governing body. They created their own agenda this year to disallow all activity not related to farming.”
The four parcels of land in Silver Creek in the Agricultural Land Reserve border Salmon River Road in the vicinity of the Silver Creek Store.
For the past 22 years, the event featuring motorcycles, bands, an all-night party and fundraising for charity was held at the Silver Creek Community Park grounds.
Following last year’s event, however, the Columbia Shuswap Regional District informed the group it would not allow the event to take place at the park, as it is too small for an event of that size.
The CSRD then voted unanimously to support the applicants’ request to have the event held on the four properties.
Over the past 15 years, the event contributed $90,000 to the Shuswap Hospice Society, one of its bigger recipients.
“I’m sorry to hear that, I really am,” said society administrator Renée Lapierre last week after learning of the cancellation. “We’re scraping by so it would have ben nice to have a donation.”
She said hospice is one of about a half-dozen charities who receive a donation each year.