The Marshall Lake/Providence Dam has been receiving much attention in the press lately.
Managed by the Ministry of Environment, plans are in place to:
1. Let local government take over the liability and maintenance,
2. Let a private group take over the maintenance and liability or,
3. Decommission the dam.
This will bring Marshall Lake back to its original size, not completely drain it. It will still be stocked with trout after eradication of the sun fish.
This dam was put in place on the existing lake for the use of the Phoenix mine during it’s operation. Once the mine closed, this dam no longer had a use but was never decommissioned.
The cost to a potential stakeholder could range from $135,000 to $400,000 plus more, as the base is believed to be wood and soil and has a potential to fail.
Once that is completed to the standard, then there would be an annual maintenance, inspection and liability cost to cover. In it’s present condition the dam is classified as high risk. There is constant seepage taking place, the dam is surrounded by private owners, except for a portion where a forestry camp exists.
This lake and dam is located in RDKB Area D and as area director, I am not willing to take on that cost.
No one is being pressured into taking on the project (Greenwood, as some of the publicity has stated).
Presently, a private group is showing interest but time is running out on a decision.
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Watch for the upcoming workshop on keeping sheep and goats coming to Grand Forks in October. This is a similar workshop to the one we held last year on fowl.
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Even though the weather has been inclement, this has not put a stop to the weeds growing – it looks like it will be a bumper crop this year.
Taking part in one of the four assistance programs can assist homeowners in controlling their property.
These include:
Pull, double bag and take it to landfill informing the attendant of contents to take free of charge,
Take advantage of loan equipment, including backpacks, skid mount and three point hitch sprayers,
Contact the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary (RDKB) to treat up to 2.02 hectares (five acres) at no charge or
Take advantage of a 50 per cent cost share program over 2.02 hectares (five acres).
The public has suggested that sheep or goats put to graze will eliminate the problem. It is not in their nature to select specific weeds to eat, they must first be trained to eat them.
Putting several sheep and goats has shown that they will eat the grass and other vegetation before they will go to the hoary alyssum.
– Irene Perepolkin is Area D director for the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary
