Sicamous council continues to trudge on in its effort to get dredging done in the channel.
As directed by council, district staff completed a timeline of events that have taken place regarding dredging in the channel connecting Shuswap and Mara lakes. The resulting report, presented by administrator Heidi Frank, dates back to 1985. In it, she states dredging would fall under federal jurisdiction. Frank continues with a synopsis of a conversation she had with Department of Fisheries and Oceans staff. Asked if the channel could designated a “small craft harbour,” in which case the federal government supports dredging, DFO’s answer was “no.” Asked what steps are necessary to dredge, DFO’s reply, in short, was: the provision of scope of intentions by an engineering firm; a business case (how the district intends to fund the project); regulatory approvals (from DFO and the Navigable Waters Protection Branch); and consultation with local First Nations and the Columbia Shuswap Regional District, and any land or water lot owners in the narrows waterway.
The timeline itself illustrates the district’s long and unsuccessful struggle with DFO and other government bodies to have the channel dredged.
“I think we have to pursue this,” commented Coun. Terry Rysz. “It’s a very important issue. I think it’s consistency and persistence that’s going to get us to the end of the day as far as getting this done.”
Coun. Fred Busch said council can talk to its MLA and MP, but the group that needs to be persuaded most is DFO.
“And if we are getting some negative vibes from them, then I think we have to either increase our efforts or say, let’s put it on the shelf for a bit,” said Busch, noting it’s going to be difficult to even get comment from DFO given how their field staff have been severely cut back.
“They just simply don’t have the ability to be able to do a lot of research,” said Busch. “So the easiest thing for them to do is say ‘no,’ because they know that’s the reality of it.”
Council opted to continue this conversation at a future committee of the whole meeting.