Happy Labour Day
Thank you for supporting the Columbia Valley Boating Association. Although the boating season is nearing its end, CVBA works on boating issues all year so expect updates throughout the winter. Please forward this newsletter to your boating friends and encourage them to sign up for CVBA newsletters.
The attached photo was taken on Sunday, August 30 at 2:50 pm from the top of Mount Swansea. Lake conditions were calm and it was a little cooler than average. Overall the boating conditions were satisfactory on this Sunday afternoon in August, but there were only eight boats on the Lake. This shows how short the boating season is, especially when viewed over the course of an entire year. This photo illustrates a dramatically different reality than portrayed by the local anti-boating groups who only emphasize the very few days of the year when the lake is crowded.
?akisqnuk Meeting
In early August, CVBA met with staff at ?akisqnuk First Nation (AFN) to discuss each of our visions for lake management and regulation. While there were differences of opinion on what is best for the lakes and valley as a whole, it was a successful first meeting. CVBA offered to participate in the data collection and lake science currently underway by AFN that will be used to guide future decisions. As the primary group who use the lakes daily, the experience and observations of our members are an invaluable resource to add to the shared knowledge. There was no clear reply on how CVBA can constructively participate, but we will continue to work toward collaboration.
History of Boating Restrictions in the Columbia Valley
It is important to consider additional boating restrictions without understanding the history of past restrictions. Recreational boating used to occur on many of the smaller mountain lakes including waterskiing on the lakes at Whiteswan, Whitetail, Enid, Munn, and the Columbia wetlands. All of these smaller lakes were closed to boating decades ago, and the wetlands closed for the final time in 2016. Taynton Bay, near Kinsman Beach, became a designated no wake zone in about 2018. When Wildsight was lobbying to close the Columbia River to boats, part of the sales pitch was that Lake Windermere would never be included in a closure but now they have changed course and are lobbying to restrict boats on Lake Windermere (and Columbia Lake). It is important to share water resources and allow a variety of activities. However, Windermere and Columbia Lakes are now the last options for recreational boating as all other local water bodies have already been closed to boating.
Local versus Provincial Issues
CVBA prefers to keep our focus on local issues. However, it is impossible to ignore how the anti-boating movement locally is part of a greater movement across BC and elsewhere. Our recent meetings with BC Minister Randene Neill and MP Scott Morrison provided an opportunity to understand proposals and advocacy efforts that could result in additional restrictions on recreational boating and changes to access and management of public lands and waterways in BC. Understanding what is happening in other locations is helpful. Two websites that provide a good background are the Pender Harbour Residents Association (PHARA) and the Public Land Use Society (PLUS). The buttons below provide links to these websites.
CVBA is asking that decisions about recreational boating and lake management be based on sound science, reliable data, and meaningful consultation with all lake users. Boaters should have a genuine voice in decisions that affect their access to the lakes. CVBA was formed, in part, because the voice of boaters was not being heard. All local boaters should join CVBA and make the effort to understand the significant risk of restricted lake access.
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