Boat launch decision is fair Jul 02 2006 EDITORIAL http://www.vernonmorningstar.com/The District of Coldstream and Greater Vernon Services Commission should be commended for the time and thought that went into the recent decision to expand the Kalavista Drive Boat Launch parking lot. The political leaders could have just ignored the concerns that were pouring in from the public and gone ahead with the original plans (which would create a lot more to cry foul over). But they did the right thing and listened to the residents. The fact that a task force was even established shows that these leaders are truly listening to, and acting on behalf of, the public. Obviously things didn't swing as far in favour of those against the expansion. But the decision also didn't completely please those for the expansion, including those who would have preferred more parking spaces, a larger launch, and even a marine gas station. So while some may not see the decision as fair, or a compromise, remember, you can't please everyone. The petition numbers (more than 500 each) once again clearly show the divide in the community. With that divide, there will always be a large group that isn't completely satisfied. But the task force heard the concerns of everyone, boaters, swimmers, naturalists, Kalavista residents, and everyone in between. With all this input in mind the task force had a difficult job to find the line somewhere in between, but they did it. And the decision doesn't make anyone clear winners or losers. Anyone who spoke up, either by signing a petition or providing input to the task force, council or GVSC is a winner for trying.
Boat launch decision not a compromiseBy Jim Cookson Jul 02 2006 (LETTERS)As a follow up to Wednesday's article, Boat launch moves ahead, I would like to provide some food for thought for the 575 people who signed the petition against the expansion of the parking lot as well as other members of the community who are interested in this topic. First, this topic clearly generated a lot of interest and debate within our community, which I believe is very healthy. The group which was against the expansion of the parking lot highlighted the fact that the Coldstream Official Community Plan and the Greater Vernon Parks and Recreation Master Plan both call for a reduction in boat traffic on the north end of the lake. In particular, we highlighted that these strategy documents state that the health of the drinking water supply depends on appropriate recreational use (and hence the GVPR document calls for a reduction of boat traffic). We also sent a number of research documents to Coldstream council and some Greater Vernon Services Commission members highlighting best practices for protecting lakes and in particular that some of the new additives in gasoline are soluble and are known carcinogens. Hence, the argument that gasoline and oil floats was immediately proven not only wrong but dangerously naive. It was our hope that GVSC would take its mandate and responsibility of protecting the water supply in Kalamalka Lake seriously. When I submitted my recommendations to GVSC and Coldstream council I suggested that a balanced task force be set up to look at avenues to provide safe, easy and efficient access to the lake for swimmers, boaters and nature lovers. I also suggested that the group pursue a strategy of developing a number of small community launches in conjunction with expanding Kekuli Bay. The objective of this strategy was to spread boat traffic out across a number of locations hence making access to the lake easier for boaters while protecting the needs for swimmers and nature lovers. The task force began working nearly two months ago. Instead of focusing on the needs of all user groups it focused solely on the needs of boaters. In addition, the task force, which was supposed to be balanced and have representation from a number of different perspectives, was actually made up of the the director of Parks, Al McNiven (who was one of the key drivers of the project from the beginning), Coun. Mary Malerby (chair of the task force), Wendy Kay (chief administrative officer of Coldstream), a boater, a neutral person and one single property owner from Kalavista Drive. No representatives for swimmer groups, the environment, or users of the drinking water supply were included in the working group. In the article and on the radio both GVSC chair Gary Corner and GVSC member Mary Malerby suggest that the recommended solution is a compromise amongst the various interest groups. I find the compromise message to be a true insult. The bottom line is the parking area, which now includes the grass in front of the tennis courts, will be larger than it was when the task force started working on the topic. Is that a compromise? It is not. It is a clear 100 per cent win for one side and a clear 100 per cent loss for the other side. There were no compromise points period, not a single one, end of story. (In my view, giving up on a couple of token points either because you are obligated to or you would lose in a legal battle is not a compromise). In addition, the notion of urgently expanding Kekuli Bay, improving other launches and developing other public accesses is vaguely referred to in the recommendations. The only real, concrete actions are taking place on Kalavista Drive. To close, I would like to sincerely thank all the people who supported the initiative against the parking lot expansion. I truly believe that my recommendations would have better served the needs of boaters, swimmers, nature lovers and the environments. At the same time, I would like to congratulate GVSC chair Corner, McNiven as well as all the people who signed the petition in favour of the parking lot moving ahead. Your efforts were more effective, your lobby stronger, your team work and planning was excellent. You clearly won this battle, hands down. We clearly lost this battle. Tomorrow will bring another day. In the mean time, I hope that everyone enjoys the new Kekuli Bay which is being moved to Kalavista Drive, just next to Kal Beach and roughly 600 meters from the main drinking water intake for Kal Lake.
