Photo: Contributed

Sawmill Road property, before and after.

Residents in Oyama are up in arms over the removal of trees and diversion of a creek to make way for a medical marijuana production facility.

Work has taken place over the past few weeks on Sawmill Road.

"The issue we are facing," residents said in an email, "is that this is old-growth property that had a large creek running through it, moving water from Oyama Lake to Kalamalka Lake."

The creek has apparently been diverted to the back of the property.

Residents are also concerned about several eagle and hawk nests they say have been destroyed. Neighbours say they were never notified about the creek diversion or loss of the forest.

The property in question was purchased a few months ago.

Lake Country director of community services Mark Koch says he understands the new owner is looking to construct a medicinal marijuana facility on the site.

The property is zoned for agricultural use, and "we do understand medical marijuana production is covered under the Right to Farm Act," said Koch. "The issue as far as impact and potential creek impact has been discussed with the Ministry of Environment. I believe they are looking into the issue."

Castanet is awaiting a response from the ministry.