Frustration over potential flooding is boiling over in Lumby.
Officials are not satisfied with the response coming from the provincial government or the Regional District of North Okanagan about mitigating damage from high water.
“Spring is coming fast and there’s been no concrete decision by anyone,” said Mayor Kevin Acton.
“No one is saying shut the taps off or they are going to study the issue.”
There was considerable flooding in the community last spring, and the village has been demanding that RDNO reduce levels on Duteau Creek reservoirs to accommodate snowmelt and reduce the risk of flooding downstream.
There are also calls on the provincial government to take action because of the impact pine beetle kill has caused in the watershed.
“Our 1,700 taxpayers can’t be making changes like that. We don’t have the financial resources,” said Acton.
In a letter to council, Forests Minister Steve Thomson says he has asked his staff to discuss flooding with the village further.
“They will determine the extent to which they can assist Lumby on reaching an acceptable arrangement with the regional district as well as consider whether site inspections of the water control structures would be appropriate and helpful under the circumstances,” he said.
