Charges recommended against a Sicamous houseboat company will not be pursued by the Crown.
Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Operations spokesperson Greig Bethel confirmed the ministry’s compliance and enforcement branch brought forth charges under the provincial Water Act last year against Waterway Houseboats. The charges pertained to work done by the company in Sicamous Creek in 2013, allegedly without authority.
“Crown counsel decided not to move forward with charges. The file is now closed,” stated Bethel in an email.
The charges arose after neighbouring property owners reported through the province’s RAPP line (Report All Polluters and Poachers) that they had witnessed personnel working in a portion of the creek where it had diverted on the company’s Two Mile property during the 2012 debris flow/flooding event.
The ministry confirmed in October 2013 that they were looking into allegations involving Waterway and recent work done in the creek, noting it is illegal under the Water Act to conduct work in and about a stream without a permit from the province.