Upon reading your article, I could not help but notice that it seemed you leaned towards Brad Case’s side of this debate.
I believe something should be done but in this case, taking from Peter to give to Paul, becomes discriminatory. Mr. Case obviously hasn’t fully discussed this with both sides of the Shuswap River experience.
I have boated it now for nine years and love it. I have come upon eagles three feet away from my speed boat not flinching, bears unperturbed and the deer well… but allow me to make my points:
1. I have not seen much, besides natural, erosion of the river banks these many years, though I have seen an increase in boats.
2. Boaters (recreational) can only access the river to a certain time of year, spring to maybe mid-July.
3. The river runs too hard and too fast at this time and tubers do not or should not enter it. If they do, we read about their drowning in this very paper.
4. All citizens of this area will tell you the mess, unfortunate but true, that tourists leave behind when they come here for summer. I do not mean all visitors.
Solutions:
1. Let’s teach high river water awareness/dangers to our kids in school to prevent further drownings. They in-turn can teach their friends.
2. Let’s install buoys marking deadly turbulent areas to protect our kids and adult members who are tubing. Attain funds from awareness drives.
3. Let’s have symposiums in Sicamous to teach our landlocked Albert friends on how to use our water systems. Houseboat companies should give a small class on what to do to look after our waterways and lakes. If they do now, cudos to them.
4. All this will help so all can enjoy our waterway systems and not just a chosen group.
Lastly, we must must do our part to preserve our unique and beautiful waterways, wetlands and woods.
David G. Weiche
Vernon
