Despite the promise of a long, arduous and expensive process, several Columbia Shuswap Regional District directors want staff to look into regulating large, powerful, noisy boats on Shuswap Lake.
The rigours of entering into such a process were made very clear in a teleconference call with Transport Canada safety officers Hilary Lawson and Joshua Jacob.
The two explained that Transport Canada has exclusive jurisdiction over all navigable waters in Canada under the Canada Shipping Act, one of the few laws that can restrict boat operation.
They were just as clear that Transport Canada is the court of last resort, when all stakeholders have been consulted and all other possible non-regulated solutions explored.
“Even though Ottawa has the last word, the process is driven by the applicant,” said Lawson. “They’re local concerns and that’s why the applicant is the lead. The process is supposed to determine the solution of a problem.”
The safety officers also advised that it could take five to 10 years to move an application through the process and any resulting regulation would apply to all types of boats.
“There’s an exhaustive list of things and it’s up to you and your stakeholders to come up with the solutions.”
Much discussion around options followed the call, with Area E Rural Sicamous/Malakwa director Martin pointing out finding a solution is going to be difficult.
“We need to start the process and maybe we will find options,” suggested Mayor Nancy Cooper.
Director Chad Eliason agreed, noting he is “cautiously optimistic” about RCMP assistance.
“At some point we’re gonna be given responsibility for the lake,” he said. “In the new (water) act there is opportunity for the responsibility for water quality and speed enforcement to be given to us.”
Area C director Paul Demenok said he would focus on collaborating with RCMP and suggested using social media to get the message out.
Martin threw cold water on the notion, reminding directors that all stakeholders have to be engaged and that in an earlier delegation to the board, Staff Sgt. Scott West had shared the problems the RCMP have in keeping up with the cigar boats.
Sicamous Mayor Terry Rysz commented on the amount of staff time that would be required, to which Area F director Larry Morgan agreed, noting it would be a lot of work that might not get anywhere.
Chief Administrative Officer Charles Hamilton, picked up the notion.
“I am concerned that this is yet another project initiated by the board outside of the budget,” he said, noting a lack of resources and ability to enforce. “Here’s another one that’s got a lot of public cachet. Do this and the OCP review gets pushed back a couple of years. What’s the priority? Please be mindful of that.”
The discussion came to a close with Martin recommending the matter be put into this year’s budget talks for further discussion.
