Image: Openpetition.org, Christian Ward / Map of the proposed Hope Cemetery Pit expansion. A meeting has been tentatively scheduled for next week as opponents of a proposed gravel pit expansion in Hope have mobilized and circulated a petition with over 650 signatures opposing the project. 

By Mike Vanden Bosch and Alyssa Conti

Meeting in Hope

Meeting planned as opponents of gravel pit expansion in Hope mobilize

Feb 13, 2025 | 9:36 AM

HOPE — A meeting has been tentatively scheduled for next week as opponents of a proposed gravel pit expansion in Hope have mobilized and circulated a petition with over 650 signatures against the expansion.

Hundreds of residents have signed on to a plea that would stop Cemetery Gravel Pit from growing, citing environmental risks, district tourism efforts and health concerns to people living nearby.

A town hall to discuss the proposed expansion is set for next Friday, February 21 from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. at Hope Recreation Centre, 1005 6 Avenue. Elected officials and other key representatives who have been invited to attend include Fraser-Nicola MLA Tony Luck, First Nations representatives from People of the River, B.C. Ministry of Mining, MLA Pete Davis (Kootenay-Rockies), FVRD Director Peter Adamo, District of Hope Mayor Victor Smith, District of Hope Chief Administrative Officer John Fortoloczky, and the applicant, Jake Klaassen of Hope Ready Mix, the company behind the proposed project.

Image: Open petition / A meeting has been scheduled for next week in opposition to the Hope Cemetery Pit expansion.

In 2023, Hope Ready Mix submitted an application to expand the pit off Kettle Valley and Othello Road to roughly 33 hectares—more than three times its current size. The petition claims the work would be carried out over the next 50 years, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays.

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Site extraction is estimated at roughly 215,000 tons per year, which would generate upwards of $3 million annually.

Image: Open petition / A map detailing the proposed gravel pit expansion project in Hope.

If the project goes through, the petition says the company can build an alternative route near Highway 5 to avoid residential roads, though that was not outlined in the submitted application.

Protecting the greenery

A section of the proposed mining site was formerly designated a Critical Habitat for spotted owls and a Conservation Area for mountain beavers, but the report’s environmental assessment shows that the land is now suitable for mining as it has been clear-cut within the last ten years.

“Tourism is the number 1 industry in Hope, and it focuses on the natural beauty we have here,” summed the petition. “When approaching Hope from Highway 1 coming from the west, the first sign of Hope is the gravel pit. The permit application more than triples the size of the pit and it would look even worse than it does now.”

Public engagement regarding the application is still underway. The Ministry of Mining and Critical Minerals’ statement to Fraser Valley Today reads: “All feedback received during the comment period for Notices of Work will be reviewed and considered by the permitting team as part of the adjudication process. The Ministry appreciates public participation and looks forward to reviewing all comments.”