Problem buoys removed

Photo: Contributed

An engine block was used to anchor a buoy on Shuswap Lake

Transport Canada has cleaned up problem buoys from Shuswap Lake.

More than 100 buoys were flagged as non-compliant in June 2018, and staff recently removed many of them. 

• Sorrento: Eight buoys removed, 43 buoys were tagged as non-compliant;
• Blind Bay: 22 buoys and one derelict 4x4 wooden dock removed, 58 buoys had been tagged non-compliant;
• Copper Island: One buoy removed after being tagged.

Columbia Shuswap Regional District states in a release to media, the removal of the buoys comes after public complaints to various levels of government.

"Transport Canada recently conducted an enforcement effort on Shuswap Lake to remove buoys which were not in compliance with Transport Canada regulations... The CSRD was advised by Transport Canada of their
enforcement initiative. A number of the remaining tagged buoys were then pulled out of Shuswap Lake by Transport Canada officials in early October."

 The removal efforts focused on areas of Shuswap Lake in Electoral Area C (South Shuswap).

"Buoys can be removed if they are not following the regulations regarding the correct size, colour and identification," stated CSRD. "This can be hazardous for boaters or other users of the lake. Buoys must also
be affixed properly. In one case, a buoy pulled out of Shuswap Lake was attached by chain to an old car engine block".

CSRD Board Chair Rhona Martin said the Board is very pleased to see action taken on this long-standing issue.

"Without the help of the Federal Government, we would not be able to address this. It is an issue that takes a partnership of all levels of government," she said. "The good news is that the federal government, through Transport Canada, has recognized this is a serious issue and have stepped up to address this with enforcement."

Transport Canada is planning additional enforcement action on non-compliant buoys within the boundaries of the CSRD in 2019.