A letter dredged up discussion but no solutions at a June 13 meeting of Salmon Arm council.
Councillors mulled over a May 19 letter from Salmon Arm business owner Maggy Davidson, stating the boat launch area at Marine Peace Park has been allowed to fill in and has become unusable for many boats.
“We are losing tourism dollars,” she wrote. “What will it take to have the Salmon Arm Bay dredged? Can we get government assistance to achieve this?”
Coun. Ken Jamieson asked staff what council would need to do to make it happen and at what cost.
Chief financial officer Monica Dalziel advised the city has $500,000 in reserve, an amount that would not even address the removal of the silt.
Dredging alone is estimated to cost $1 million, an amount that does not cover the cost of hauling the material to other sites or environmental remediation costs,” Dalziel said, noting Rob Niewenhuizen, director of engineering and public works had recommended staff put together a total of all costs, which could add up to $3 million or more.
Niewenhuizen had previously suggested that the area had filled in within two years of the last dredging some 20-plus years ago.
Coun. Kevin Flynn pointed out the problem has been a recurring one thanks to the Salmon River.
“If we’re going to dredge, I want to make sure it’s not going to silt back in right away,” he said. “I’m guessing the cost is gonna be higher than we think and more complicated than we think.”
Sitting in for Niewenhuizen at Monday’s meeting, municipal engineer Jennifer Wilson said the material in the bay is very soft and a wide swath would have to be made to prevent rapid in-filling.
Coun. Chad Eliason said he thinks it would be wiser to expand and improve recreational areas such as Canoe Beach.
Coun. Alan Harrison agreed.
“The first question we need to have answered is would we be allowed to do it,” he said, regarding the need for government approval. “If the answer is no, that settles it. If it’s not going to be there, I think Canoe is a good suggestion.”
Staff will follow up on costs and approvals.
