The Regional District of North Okanagan has concluded explorations of applying boating regulations on the Shuswap River

Photo: Contributed

The Regional District of North Okanagan has concluded explorations of applying boating regulations on the Shuswap River.

The RDNO has always contributed to making water bodies in the North Okanagan safer and more sustainable.

One waterway that the RDNO has worked on improving is the Shuswap River.

The RDNO developed the Shuswap River Watershed Sustainability Plan back in 2014, to identify current issues and set goals, objectives and strategies to address those issues.

Five of the 114 strategies in the Plan include the possible options of applying to Transport Canada for the implementation of Vessel Operating Restriction Regulations (VORR), which would add to existing laws that apply to navigable waters in Canada.

The RDNO says that an essential component of an application to Transport Canada is a robust consultation process and evidence of broad-based support from stakeholders.

Without a way forward and the impending busy recreational season on the river, the RDNO Board of Directors did not want the public to go into another summer with ambiguity on the status of the regulations process.

As a result, the RDNO Board of Directors passed a resolution stating that the RDNO will not pursue additional regulations on the Shuswap River, and this file will be closed. The Board also requested that the federal and provincial governments take an increased role in addressing safety concerns on the Shuswap River.

“We want to thank everyone who has participated in this process and shared their passion for the Shuswap River. Although consensus was not reached, the process resulted in significant discoveries and discussions on the issues facing the Shuswap River, many of which can effectively be addressed through non-regulatory methods that are within the jurisdiction of the RDNO,” said Kevin Acton, Chair, RDNO Board of Directors.

The RDNO will continue to support non-regulatory actions and programs on the Shuswap River that are within the RDNO’s control. Since 2008, the RDNO has invested over $1 million into non-regulatory actions, including contributing to enhanced boat patrols on the Shuswap River, signage along the river banks water quality assessments, the RIver Ambassador program, and dedicating staff time from the Safe Communities function.

The enhanced boat patrol program is conducted by the provincial Conservation Officer Service and has been successful in enforcing federal and provincial laws that help keep the river safe. To further support this program, in April of 2021, the Board provided an additional $17,000 for the purchase of a new watercraft for the COS to increase safety and enforcement on the river.