Shuswap Watershed Council chairperson Paul Demenok is hopeful politicians will support a five-year project approved at a watershed council meeting last Wednesday.
“I am very pleased, it was a very productive session,” said Demenok, who is also the Area C South Shuswap director for the Columbia Shuswap Regional District. “We approved the five-year proposal from Fraser Basin for water quality and safety, which includes basic strategies, goals, objectives, activities and a budget for the five years of the proposed program starting April 1, 2016.”
Demenok says the council also heard a thorough presentation by consulting agrologist Ruth McDougall, who was commissioned by the watershed council to prepare a report.
The result was Agricultural Nutrient Management in the Shuswap Watershed for Maintaining and Improving Water Quality: Literature Review and Nutrient Management Strategies.
“She was pretty clear in suggesting we need to do further research to pinpoint sources and causes of phosphorus coming into Shuswap and Mara lake from the Salmon, Shuswap and Eagle rivers,” Demenok said. “We also approved a draft principles document for conduct of the members of the watershed council, and had a robust discussion around future membership and organizational structure of the Shuswap Watershed Council if funding is approved.”
The group approved a working budget of $139,546 for fiscal year 2014/15, and Demenok pointed out that if approved, and based on a parcel tax, the budget over five years would be equivalent to a $5 cup of coffee per parcel served.
“I believe it will be a consideration at an upcoming CSRD meeting,” said Demenok, noting government reps would be taking the project to their respective councils or boards for input. “I am waiting to see the responses from various partners who were asked to provide commentary.”
The Regional District of North Okanagan is supportive, but has not agreed to a financial contribution.
“RDNO said they would participate at the table and be a partner in the program in both the steering committee and technical team, but would not be contributing financially at this time as they have their own watershed sustainability plan,” said Demenok.
Calling the watershed council a collaborative partnership, Demenok noted watershed council reps attending the council meeting included Peter Lishman of the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Resource Operations, Blaine Recksiedler from the Ministry of Agriculture, CSRD Area Directors Rhona Martin and Larry Morgan, District of Sicamous rep Todd Kyllo, Salmon Arm Mayor Nancy Cooper, Regional District of North Okanagan chair Rick Fairburn, RDNO director Herman Halverson, Kamloops Mayor Peter Milobar, Adams Lake Band Coun. Greg Witzky, band employee Dave Nordquist, Chase Mayor Rick Berrigan and Ray Nadeau, representing the public.