salmon that spawn there. The answer I got, from a different Councillor, was that the salmon nothing to do with them because the salmon were dealt with by Federal people rather than Provincial. This was an obvious attempt to dismiss the issue. A copy of this letter has been forwarded to The Minister of Fisheries and Oceans.
It is more than obvious that our local District Council is taking into consideration what tax dollars can be derived from these projects rather than what is good for the fish and/or the lakes. I was told by them that they (the District Council) “have to balance what is best for the residents and the fish and come up with a compromise”, something which is obviously not being done. Just last year I approached our District requesting that the current boat launch that is located in a channel between these two lakes, be upgraded, as it was in extremely poor condition. I suggested some new slabs of concrete be placed further below the water line, attached to the existing slabs, so as boats would not get stuck in the gravel. The answer I got at that time was that the Ministry would not allow them to do that as they would be destroying the fish habitat! So, why are they then allowing these huge developments to go ahead with their destroying of fish habitat on the lakes?? Tax dollars, that’s why! There is no money in the boat launch (at least not yet, there is talk of charging a fee for launching!) but there are huge tax dollars in the developments on the lakes.
I am requesting that you look further into this matter before more construction takes place on the lakes, because once the building of such moorage spots starts it can’t be undone. Our District people tell us that this is all progress and that’s just the way it is, and to a certain extent I do agree with them. If it were just buildings beside the lake, that would be different, but it’s the construction on the lake that concerns me and many others who feel our voices fall on deaf ears at the local level. Your time and anticipated action in this matter is greatly appreciated by all, especially the fish!
Yours truly,
Sheldon T. Sherman
Reel Fishing Adventures
Box 309
Sicamous, B.C. V0E 2V0
1-250-836-3616
cc: Minister of Fisheries and Oceans
District of Sicamous
07-11-29
The Honourable Barry Penner
Minister of Environment
PO Box 9047
STN PROV GOVT
Victoria, B.C. V8W 9E2
Re: Proposed Commercial Developments on
Shuswap Lake and Mara Lake,
Sicamous, B.C.
Dear Mr. Penner:
This letter is concerning my opposition and concern for 2 commercial houseboat developments that are taking place on Shuswap and Mara Lake here in Sicamous. While the “cat” is already out of the bag with respect to the issuing of permits etc for these huge developments,. I feel that as a fishing guide on these lakes that it is incumbent upon me to express my concern over the fish habitat that is going to be disrupted or destroyed.
Attached to this letter are maps from Fisheries and Oceans which clearly define the areas where said developments are going to take place, right over top of major spawning grounds for several species of fish. These maps are current (2005) and indicate that there are in fact large numbers of fish that return to these areas to reproduce. As well, and not shown on the Shuswap Lake map (Map A), is that the Eagle River (shown in map) is also a large river that supports huge returns of spawning fish and adjacent to that river is a designated habitat sanctuary for birds!
The local District Council held a meeting recently and invited townsfolk to attend and voice their opinions, which I did, but my concerns obviously fell on deaf ears. With respect to the development on Shuswap Lake (Map A) I was told that there were no proposals submitted to them “as yet”, for any kind of development on the water. I found this answer from the Council member to be ludicrous at best, as there has not yet been a waterfront development that has not provided some sort of moorage for boats for those residents that live there, let alone all the moorage that will be required for houseboats. The development on Shuswap Lake is reportedly to have a hotel, RV lots, residential lots etc. in the years to come and, with this of course, brings more boats and they will need places to moor them! The Councillors’ other remark was that they would maybe “deep anchor” the mooring spots for the boats?????????? She had just told me there were no proposals for moorage and then tells me what they might do? Deep anchoring does not solve the problem however; as it would then put the moorage areas right in the path/flow of a major river and more fish habitat, and have mechanical equipment such as sewage lines, fuel lines and electrical lines running through the lake where boats are present.
With respect to the development on Mara Lake (Map B), I mentioned to our Councillors’ that not only were there “resident” fish that spawn in that area but there were also some (next page)