The Regional District of the North Okanagan is still attempting to close the Shuswap River to boating.
The river has very limited public access, and no history of any accidents involving watercraft.
This issue is too important to implement at the request of biased special interest groups without commissioning proper scientific study and residents consultation.
The process has been flawed from the beginning without proper public awareness.
Boating occurs for only six weeks per year and the volume of a boat wake is a fraction of the volume from runoff. Boats are long gone off the river by the time the salmon begin their run.
All references to the Shuswap River Watershed Sustainability Plan should be removed from the Area F Official Community Plan.
The SRWSP was created in an unfair and biased manner which excluded many stakeholder groups.
The SRWSP is reflective of a small special interest group’s views only and it is not reflective of the communities’ views as a whole.
It is the responsibility of RDNO to represent all of the area residents, not just a small group of special interests who want the river for themselves.
Doug Mallett, Mara
