Boating, dams, fish & wildlife some of concerns during Friends of Kootenay Lake summit
By Nelson Daily Staff
By Randi Jensen, The Nelson Daily
The first annual Lake Summit sponsored by Friends of Kootenay Lake (FOKL) was held earlier this month at the Balfour Hall with a full slate of speakers and exhibitors.
More than 100 people attended the event.
Ramona Faust, Regional District of Central Kootenay’s elected representative for Area E kicked off the Summit with opening remarks recognizing the First Nations’ centuries of stewardship in the area up to about 150 years ago when European settlement began.
Remarking on Kootenay Lake as Nelson’s recreational playground she pointed out that the lake gives the 22 thousand residents from the Duncan to Bonnington; drinking water, protein, temperate weather, recreation and tourism.
By a show of hands, Claire de la Salle, FOKL program manager and moderator of the event, identified that a number of attendees, perhaps close to 50 percent, were lakeshore homeowners.
The event continued with four 20-minute presentations each followed by a 10-minute question and answer period. The series covered; the Kootenay Lake Fertilization Program, Climate Change, Living Healthy by the Water and Nelson Kootenay Lake Tourism.
Exhibitors ranged from historical, science and environment and cultural displays to tourism.
During the afternoon the event was divided into breakout group sessions where participants brainstormed on the main challenges of Kootenay Lake and potential solutions to the problems.
The Break-Out Session Summary (see below) cited general concern about governance and planning of the lake.
The summary was identified that information isn’t readily available about shoreline development and basic maintenance with no standards or information for both new and existing property and docking structures.
The creation of a “Best Management Practices” resource for homeowners and businesses on the lake was suggested. Also, an increasing lack of public access to the lake was addressed.
Concern emerged about the lack of emergency action plans in the case of washouts and slides or a train derailment, as well as flood control planning.
There was general agreement that efforts need to be made to “get beyond the converted and into mainstream and political community.”
To build alliances between business and industry with public and private ownerships would aid in creating higher standards based on long-term planning that integrates First Nations and community values into them.
To find out more about this event and the Friends of Kootenay Lake go to their website: www.friendsofkootenaylake.ca
Copy of Break-Out Session Summary: http://www.friendsofkootenaylake.ca/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Lake-Summit-Breakout-Session-Summary-Nov2013.pdf
Comments