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South Okanagan Photos

Open letter

September 27, 2015

To: Regional District of the Okanagan Similkameen:

We are property owners whose properties are beside the former Kettle Valley Railway Corridor. We recently learned that our properties will be affected by the construction of a new trail along the KVR corridor. We strongly object to the use of public resources for the development of this project. Our objections are as follows:

Increased Property Damage: As you are aware, the trail will be beside numerous orchards, small businesses and residences. By creating this trail there is a greater likelihood of vandalism, trespassing, and theft to these properties. Not only would this create unnecessary hardship on the property owners, but it would make the effected properties less appealing, negatively affecting their property values.

Safety/Increased Liability: Having a trail adjacent to orchards and businesses increases the liability risks for these operations. If a trail user claimed to be injured by standard farm practices, such as spraying, there would be unnecessary financial and legal headaches for the business owner.

Food Safety Concerns: Almost all the orchards in the Okanagan are required to have CanadaGap food safe certification in order to sell their fruit. Having a trail that people or their pets could easily wander off of onto adjacent orchards and food packing facilities would increase the likelihood of a food safe violation. This scenario would impose additional costs on farmers who would now have to take additional measures in order to meet their CanadaGap requirements.

Trail Misuse: Trail misuse is a recurring issue with the existing Hike and Bike trail along the Okanagan River. Every year there are complaints about people who use the hike and bike trail to illegally camp, drink alcohol, or consume drugs. Due to limited resources, police and by-law enforcement have a difficult time enforcing proper trail use. Having an additional trail would only compound the problem.

Environment: The section of the proposed trail along Sawmill Road and up to Road 9 contains sensitive riparian habitat. This area contains at risk species such as the Spadefoot Toad, Painted Turtle, Blue Heron and Western Screech Owl. In March of 2011, the area along the KVR/Sawmill Road section was officially deemed environmentally sensitive and was registered with the Provincial Ministry of Environment by a professional biologist. The construction of the trail and use of the trail would likely negatively impact at risk species living in these habitats.

KVR Trail Need: The reason for establishing the KVR trail is to have a non-motorized trial that would connect the communities of the South Okanagan. With the exception of a small area between Vaseux Lake and the north entrance of Tucelnuit Dr, this goal is already met by the Hike and Bike trail along the Okanagan River. Most of the proposed KVR trail runs parallel with the Hike/Bike Trail, and is within 500 metres to 1 km of the Hike/Bike Trail. Consequently, the KVR trail would be redundant.

Due to the increased grievances, costs and liabilities the trail would cause for property owners; the environmental impact on sensitive habitat; and because the purpose/benefits of the proposed KVR trail is already being fulfilled by the Hike and Bike Trail, we strongly think the KVR trail is unnecessary and that the RDOS can better use the public’s resources and taxes for other more beneficial projects.

Thank You for considering our concerns; we look forward to your response.

From: David Machial and 38 other signators