ENDERBY – A proposal being floated by the Regional District of North Okanagan (RDNO) to restrict power boats on some sections of the Shuswap River has inflamed passions in the area. Over 400 people have signed an online petition against the proposed new regulations.
Grant Gerlib sells boats in Enderby. He believes the proposed restrictions on motorized boats would be bad for business.
“It is not going to break me or anything but it is definitely going to hurt,” he says. “ We are just a mom and pop operation here.”
Under the proposed regulations, the size of boat engines would be limited to 10 horse power between Baxter Bridge and Mara Lake. Also motorized boats would be banned completely on two other sections of the river: between Baxter Bridge and the eastern edge of Skookumchuck Rapids Park, and between South Mable Lake and the Shuswap Falls.
Gerlib questions how much of the erosion is really caused by boats.
“There is only really six weeks of boating on this river and the rest of the time it is all done by high water, wind,” he says.
- ‘It’s nice to be the villain’: Vancouver Canucks gear up for Game 3 in Nashville
- ‘Why aren’t we doing more?’ White Rock on edge with killer on the loose
- Joffre Lakes to close for 3 periods this year under agreement with First Nations
- B.C. carjacking victim says she doesn’t trust the ‘catch-and-release’ system
But other support the proposed restrictions. Hermann Bruns has an organic vegetable farm near the Shuswap River. He’s concerned about erosion.
“Ultimately it will creep into our own fields, we’ll lose land. Not that it is going to be hugely significant in my lifetime but I feel like there is a responsibility to do something,” he says.
Bruns believe some vacationers get carried away with their speed boats .
“We need to start seeing the river as more than just a recreational play surface for people on vacation and that is what people are recognizing that the river has a lot of other values.”
But some critics believe the proposed regulations go too far and penalize all motorized boaters for the actions of a few.
The regional district says it is collecting public feedback on the proposed changes this summer.
“We will look at all the feedback we have received and then decide whether we want to continue to pursue the regulations we currently have suggested or whether we modify those based on the feedback we get or whether we don’t go ahead at all,” says Page.
Two open houses are planned this week. One will take place Wednesday June 10 from 5:00 p.m. till 7:00 p.m. at the Enderby Drill Hall. The other open house is planned for Thursday June 11 from 5:00 p.m. till 7:30 p.m. at the Mable Lake Hall.
Comments