Posted on June 8, 2022
A group of Lake Country residents and business people are at a loss as to why the municipality is slowing their attempt to dredge Oyama Canal.
They hope to get answers at tonight’s district council meeting.
Andrew Spear, spokesman for Oyama Canal Far Management Society, says the group has the necessary approvals from the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans and Transport Canada and from the Okanagan Indian Band.
“We seem to have no issues except for the District of Lake Country,” Spear told Castanet News.
“We need their support because they have to sign off on our provincial application.”
Spear says he has been working for about three years to get the proper approvals necessary from both the provincial and federal government.
He says the Tween Lakes Resort, which sits on the west side of the canal, is solidly behind the project because they are hoping to replace their seawall.
“The application is in their name.
According to Spear, it’s been nearly a quarter-of-a-century since the canal was dredged.
It was done each year until funding ran out in 1998, he said.
He says the level of silt in the canal makes it dangerous for kids who like to jump from the bridge into the canal and difficult for boaters to move from Wood to Kalamalka lakes.
Spear says the society has the money to get the job done, but just needs the support of the municipality.
“We would like to hear something from them positive that they are going to allow us to do this and be somewhat helpful rather than the way they have been up to now.”
