OSOYOOS TIMES-October 27, 2010

By Laurena Weninger-Osoyoos Times

Members of the Lake Recreational and Commercial (LRCU) Task Force got their feet wet last week.
“I think council would like this to move along rapidly,” Osoyoos Mayor Stu Wells told the group assembled in council chambers on Oct. 20, adding he would like to see “a wrap” on the process by early 2011.
The task force is made up of volunteers willing to hash out a better system of water zoning on Osoyoos Lake after a water zoning proposal from Town staff from this spring caused outcry from the public.
In April, council abandoned the draft water zoning bylaw that would have regulated many facets of lake use, including private moorage, swimming areas and the number of boats allowed by upland residents.
“I believe it’s a little heavy-handed and onerous,” Wells said of the proposed bylaw last April, after a public hearing and subsequent public meeting on the bylaw.
Council put the zoning bylaw on hold and instead assembled a task force to help the Town come up with ways to create water zoning that will address the public’s concerns.
On Oct. 20, the task force came face-to-face with Osoyoos councillors, staff and Area A director Mark Pendergraft for its first official meeting, introductions and instructions from council.
The group members will arrange their own meeting schedule and will likely meet a couple times each month.
At those meetings, they will work out a consensus about how to best deal with growing lake-related concerns.
Each of the members has a stake in the future of the lake and had a chance at the meeting to outline their basic concerns.
Roger Horton owns lakeshore property and is also one of the directors of the Osoyoos Lake Water Quality Society.
He’s concerned about environmental issues on the lake as well as safety and preservation of the calm, peaceful lifestyle along the shores.
Sue McKortoff has lived in Osoyoos for 42 years and is a member of the Area A Advisory Planning Commission.
“I’m very concerned about water, not only in the Okanagan but globally,” she said, adding she lives outside the town’s boundaries.
Janis St. Louis is concerned about the lake in general, and how it is used.
“Our lake is our lifeblood,” she said, pointing out the lake’s importance to tourism and the community.
Ralph Otto said he’s concerned about the health of the lake.
“I’ve noticed a lot of fish dying along Haynes Point,” he said.
Drew Kassa is on the task force representing the Oasis RV Resort and Campground and said he’s hoping to help come to an agreement that works for all lake users.
Jurgen Reinhards is part of the group representing the Lake Osoyoos Sailing Club.
“We are concerned, as most of us are, about the water quality,” he said.
But Reinhards is also worried about the number of motorboats on the lake in the summer and the potential number of piers that could appear as more people seek spots to moor their watercraft.
Vincent Virk said he grew up in Osoyoos and is currently employed with the Holiday Inn and Starlight Marina.
“We have a vested interest in the lake,” he said.
Rob Rausch has lived in Osoyoos since 2002 and owns lakefront property.
He also owns Wakepilot Wakeboarding.
He said he is concerned about the volume and type of boats on the lake.
“There’s going to be a death on this lake sooner or later,” he said.
In all, there are seven members of the task force, in addition to Pendergraft and councillors Ted Cronmiller and CJ Rhodes and they were more than ready to start delving into the matters at hand.
First, they want some clarity about various jurisdictions on the lake.
There are federal and provincial bodies that govern the use of the lake and understanding those roles may be important, Horton pointed out.
The task force’s recommendations – and any resulting water zoning bylaw – can only dictate what happens inside town boundaries.
Other initial questions from members included how such a water zoning bylaw will be enforced and how to get relevant information about water zoning out to those visiting the community.
Town staff will be setting the task force’s next meeting date and the group will then begin their regular meetings.
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