RDOS to hear experts on fish farming in South Okanagan.

Osoyoos municipal director Stu Wells says the media is not doing a good job of informing people about this issue so he took the opportunity Thursday at the Penticton Board meeting to explain his position and challenge the assembled group.

Wells says the Board has given the go ahead on a land matter and it appears the senior levels of government (DFO) are going ahead allowing the Klassen plan to raise Arctic Char.

His concern is any discharge into our river. As chair of the Okanagan Basin Water Board, Wells says we all must be very concerned about what is added to the surface water system that is the lifeblood of many people and the fruit/vegetable growing industry.

He wants some answers – how clean will the discharge from a fish farm be? Will all nutrients and chemicals be removed?

The Board will hear experts at an upcoming meeting of the RDOS in Novermber

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Gary and Lorna Klassen of Osoyoos requesting that RDOS vary the allowable parcel coverage from 3 to 6% and this has been recommended by staff.   The Klassens state they wish to use the land near the river at 8929 Road 17 for a fish rearing facility which is an allowable use on ALR property. The property is about 4 miles south of Oliver. It is treed and has a house on it.

8929 17 Road—Electoral Area ‘C’ – Development Variance permit Application to increase allowed lot coverage for construction of an aquaculture facility. Approved  

Gary Klassen says there’s demand for the fish. He’s hoping to grow about 10 tonnes a year.

“We’re going to be supplying a sustainable product without impacting the environment.”

Klassen says his fish will be raised in tanks and that no antibiotics will be used. He adds that any waste water will be treated before being released into Okanagan River.  Final approval is up to the Department of Fisheries and Oceans.