Details are being worked out for continued boat patrols on North Okanagan lakes this summer.
The Electoral Area Advisory Committee has had discussions with the B.C. Conservation Officer Service about conducting seasonal boat patrols after it was decided to no longer use local RCMP officers.
“They (conservation officers) are a better fit because they’re already do a lot of patrols on Mara, Mabel and Sugar lakes,” said rural Enderby director Jackie Pearase.
The EAAC budgets about $21,000 a year for enforcement on lakes and the Shuswap River, although the RCMP were only paid $15,000 last year.
“We are seeing possible conflicts and we want to prevent them,” said Pearase of speeding boaters, polluters and river bank erosion.
However, EAAC officials admit some hesitation about turning the service over to conservation officers.
“We hear about how short-staffed the conservation officers are so I’m wondering where the people will come from (for patrols),” said Pearase.
