Dear Editor:

A brief history of the issue in response to Messrs. LaFontaine and Kupchanko and their hyperbolic comment in last weeks Pioneer The Columbia Wetland Stewardship Partners (CWSP) unanimously supported and submitted the regulation to Transport Canada in 2009. The proposed regulation is a 20 horsepower limit on powered boats in the main channel of the river from Fairmont to Donald. Previous regulations in force prohibit any towing (water skiing) on the river and any motorized boating in the wetlands between Fairmont and Donald.

Lake Windermere and Columbia Lake are EXCLUDED from the regulations.

From 2009 on, the government of the day represented by Jim Abbott and then David Wilks did not act on the 20 horsepower regulation. Our new MP Wayne Stetski did act. He asked Transport Canada to post the regulation, which they did on April 2nd, 2016 with a 30-day public comment period.

CWSP was formed in 2006 with the active support of the B.C. Ministry of Environment. Its role is to develop effective stewardship and management practices for the Columbia Wetlands and the Upper Columbia River. Along with a diverse group of community organizations, First Nations and government agencies, CWSP includes representation from the District of Invermere, the Village of Radium Hot Springs, Regional District of East Kootenay Electoral Areas F and G, the Town of Golden and the Columbia Shuswap Regional District Electoral Area A.

No government agency that I know of, nor CWSP, has proposed regulation of motorized boating on Lake Windermere or Columbia Lake. For those who wish to support the 20 horsepower regulation on the main channel of the river go to Transport Canadas information link: http://gazette.gc.ca/rp-pr/p1/2016/2016-04-02/html/reg2-eng.php

Gerry Wilkie, RDEK Director

Electoral Area G