First Nation approves signs for scenic BC spot

VANCOUVER — A controversial business move by a Vancouver-area First Nation has put it at odds with residents who say they've become unlikely defenders of the environment against the aboriginal group.

Squamish First Nations chiefs and councillors gave final approval Thursday to erect six TV-like electronic billboards, each the size of a city bus, on its property in some of the most scenic areas of British Columbia.

Depending on whose opinion you listen to, the billboards are either a traffic hazard and a blight on B.C. scenery or a financial fix for a struggling First Nation.

The three metre by nine metre LED or light-emitting diode screens will be operating in time for Christmas and the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Games.

The approval ends a long, angry battle over the plan by the aboriginal band that can trace its history in the area back thousands of years.

The First Nation originally proposed 28 signs for its lands in downtown Vancouver, in North and West Vancouver and along the Sea-To-Sky Highway heading towards Whistler, B.C., the host city for the Olympic alpine events.

The proposal got push-back from residents almost immediately.

Shortly after the Squamish revealed their plans the group Citizens for Responsible Outdoor Advertising was formed.

The group rallied opposition and gathered a 10,000-name petition complaining of both the traffic hazards and the negative impact on scenic heritage the billboards would have.

Chairman Wayne Hunter said the federal government failed to protect public safety and the environment when it gave its approval to the plan last month.

"It's universally opposed," Hunter said of the billboards.

He said its odd his group would have to speak out about the environment against a First Nation.

"We're the guardians of Mother Nature versus the traditional role handled by our Squamish neighbours."

Negative reaction to the original plan was so visceral First Nation's planners scaled it back.

Toby Baker, senior operating officer for the Squamish Nation, said there was no need for them to do any consulting but they decided to submit to the federal-approval process.

"We wanted to go through a safety check and an engineering check and a social and environmental check," said Baker. "We did that."

Baker said the agreement with Astral Media Outdoor will mean multi-millions over 30 years for the First Nation, which has few other ways to generate money.

"The reality is if the nation today had other options not to do it -- given the negative reaction -- we would be looking at those."

Baker said the First Nation wants approval to do residential and commercial development on its land but many rules and regulations stand in the way.

Mayors from North and West Vancouver opposed the sign plans and even wrote to the Ministry of Indian and Northern Affairs asking it to reject the billboards.

The billboards are new technology and will display six static advertising messages a minute, changing every 10 seconds.

Mock-ups of the billboards sent to the media show them mounted on a giant column beside the highway or at the end of a bridge.

"It's like looking at a plasma TV screen," Rod Thornton of Astral explained.

"They look a lot better than the old billboards. The design is contemporary, they've come a long way in how they fit into the landscape."

Astral will be marketing the billboards and paying rent to the Squamish First Nation.

Thornton said the billboards would also be available for Amber alerts or other emergency notices that needs to be issued.

Baker said the there's no doubt the giant screens will stand out.

"But I think people will, over time, accept them as being aesthetically pleasing."


	First Nation approves signs for scenic BC spot
	The Canadian Press CTV News October 15 2009

	VANCOUVER — A controversial business move by a Vancouver-area First Nation has put it at odds with residents who say they've become unlikely defenders of the environment against the aboriginal group. Squamish First Nations chiefs and councillors gave final approval Thursday to erect six TV-like electronic billboards, each the size of a city bus, on its property in some of the most scenic areas of British Columbia. Depending on whose opinion you listen to, the billboards are either a traffic hazard and a blight on B.C. scenery or a financial fix for a struggling First Nation. The three metre by nine metre LED or light-emitting diode screens will be operating in time for Christmas and the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Games. The approval ends a long, angry battle over the plan by the aboriginal band that can trace its history in the area back thousands of years. The First Nation originally proposed 28 signs for its lands in downtown Vancouver, in North and West Vancouver and along the Sea-To-Sky Highway heading towards Whistler, B.C., the host city for the Olympic alpine events. The proposal got push-back from residents almost immediately. Shortly after the Squamish revealed their plans the group Citizens for Responsible Outdoor Advertising was formed. The group rallied opposition and gathered a 10,000-name petition complaining of both the traffic hazards and the negative impact on scenic heritage the billboards would have. Chairman Wayne Hunter said the federal government failed to protect public safety and the environment when it gave its approval to the plan last month. "It's universally opposed," Hunter said of the billboards. He said its odd his group would have to speak out about the environment against a First Nation. "We're the guardians of Mother Nature versus the traditional role handled by our Squamish neighbours." Negative reaction to the original plan was so visceral First Nation's planners scaled it back. Toby Baker, senior operating officer for the Squamish Nation, said there was no need for them to do any consulting but they decided to submit to the federal-approval process. "We wanted to go through a safety check and an engineering check and a social and environmental check," said Baker. "We did that." Baker said the agreement with Astral Media Outdoor will mean multi-millions over 30 years for the First Nation, which has few other ways to generate money. "The reality is if the nation today had other options not to do it -- given the negative reaction -- we would be looking at those." Baker said the First Nation wants approval to do residential and commercial development on its land but many rules and regulations stand in the way. Mayors from North and West Vancouver opposed the sign plans and even wrote to the Ministry of Indian and Northern Affairs asking it to reject the billboards. The billboards are new technology and will display six static advertising messages a minute, changing every 10 seconds. Mock-ups of the billboards sent to the media show them mounted on a giant column beside the highway or at the end of a bridge. "It's like looking at a plasma TV screen," Rod Thornton of Astral explained. "They look a lot better than the old billboards. The design is contemporary, they've come a long way in how they fit into the landscape." Astral will be marketing the billboards and paying rent to the Squamish First Nation. Thornton said the billboards would also be available for Amber alerts or other emergency notices that needs to be issued. Baker said the there's no doubt the giant screens will stand out. "But I think people will, over time, accept them as being aesthetically pleasing."