Efforts are being made to round up protection of local creeks from the effects of cattle.
The District of Coldstream and Ministry of Environment were recently alerted to a situation of cattle walking through Deer Creek in Lavington.
While some local politicians have concerns about the pollution and damage the cows are causing to creeks, others point to the fact that cattle have co-existed alongside creeks for years.
“These aren’t new things,” said Coun. Doug Dirk. “There are farms in Lavington where the cattle are in the creek all year.”
Meanwhile Maria Besso is hoping the cattle owner, Coldstream Ranch, will be on board with protecting the creek.
“This may not be a new thing and it may happen every year but we were notified,” said Besso of feeling obliged to respond to the situation and protect the creek which flows into Coldstream Creek.
Working with the MOE, B.C. Cattlemen’s Association and Greater Vernon Water, there is an opportunity for farmers to provide the labour of fencing and receive some funding towards the project.
“That’s how we put in our fence along the creek,” said Mayor Jim Garlick.
Coldstream Ranch could not be reached for comment.
