Boating Regulations Advisory Committees Struck

Two advisory committees have been established and terms of reference decided on as the Regional District of North Okanagan moves to implement possible boating regulations on the Shuswap River.

There will be an upper river committee dealing with the section above Mabel Lake to the headwaters and another for the lower section between Mabel and Mara Lakes.

Alex Grzybowski is the consultant hired to facilitate the process who says all those who are now involved are determined to reach a consensus of agreement.

“While the debate has been acrimonious and polarized, there’s also an interest in getting to some kind of constructive and practical outcomes as far as I can tell.”

Grzybowski, says there is already consensus on some issues.

“Those include increasing enforcement and monitoring and increasing public education and the more difficult issues they are ready to start discussing.”

Grzybowski says his role will be to shepherd the process to reach consensus.

“Its my job to kind of hold their feet to the fire and hold them accountable to trying to do what they have committed to do and do that in a way that involves the broader public so that anyone with an interest in the community can be involved and feels like they can be involved.”

The next Joint Meeting is March 27th. It’s hoped recommendations will be presented to the Regional District of North Okanagan by June.