Zincton Project Clears Major Regulatory Milestone

The proposed Zincton Project has reached an important milestone in the provincial approval process. The BC Environmental Assessment Office (EAO) recently confirmed that Zincton will not require a formal environmental assessment under Section 11 of the Environmental Assessment Act (2018). This decision enables Zincton to advance to the next stages of the province’s resort planning process, including detailed Consultation and the completion of environmental and technical studies.

“This is an important milestone for Zincton,” said David Harley, founder of Zincton. “We remain committed to developing a project grounded in environmental stewardship, community resilience, and Indigenous collaboration. We look forward to working closely with the Province, Indigenous Nations, local communities, and stakeholders as we continue through the BC regulatory process.”

The decision, issued by Alex MacLennan, Chief Executive Assessment Officer (CEAO) of the EAO, follows an extensive review that included input from Indigenous Nations, local governments, and stakeholders. The EAO considered two separate section 11 designation requests—submitted by Wildsight and the Sinixt Confederacy—which called for a full environmental assessment, citing environmental concerns and potential impacts to Indigenous rights. After careful review, the EAO concluded that Zincton’s proposed scale of fewer than 1,700 bed units falls below the regulatory threshold of 2,000 units that would require a formal assessment. In his decision, the CEAO noted that concerns raised during the review will be addressed through the Mountain Resorts Branch’s regulatory process —a comprehensive framework that includes environmental, technical, and Indigenous rights evaluations.

“The Mountain Resorts Branch’s review and assessment process is comprehensive and examines many of the same factors as an environmental assessment by the EAO, including potential impacts on the environment and on First Nations and their rights”.
David Harley, also known as the founder of Valhalla Pure Outfitters, acquired a 1,040-acre parcel near Three Forks over a decade ago, adjacent to the historic un-remediated mining sites between the villages of New Denver and Kaslo in BC’s West Kootenays. His vision for Zincton is inspired by low-impact ski destinations like Silverton Mountain in Colorado—and prioritizing regenerative tourism, sustainable livelihoods, and long-term ecological health.

Supporters of the project point to the urgent need for economic revitalization in BC’s rural mountain towns, many of which face steep declines in traditional resource sectors like forestry and mining. Zincton aims to fill this gap by offering a sustainable, community-driven alternative that honors both the natural environment and local values.

With this regulatory milestone achieved, the Zincton team will continue advancing partnership with Indigenous Nations and collaborating with provincial authorities to realize a project that upholds ecological integrity, supports sustainable economic development, and respects Indigenous rights.

The EAO’s decision letter and supporting materials are available at:
https://www.projects.eao.gov.bc.ca/p/67ab8d73a789970022003f96/project-details

Zincton Project Team:
https://zincton.com

More Information on Zincton:
David Harley talks about Zincton
The Zincton Resort Proposal
Zincton Application Pending BC Approval
Zincton A Radical Departure