The KVR -Management Plan needs to be adjusted.
It is anticipated the corridor to be a multi-purpose trail that preserves an atmosphere of minimum conflict and which are without undue liability risk to user, communities, adjacent land owners, and the Province of B.C.
Under the Current licence of Occupation:
Section O v The licensee is obligated to restore the surface of the Land as nearly as may reasonably be possible to the same condition as it was on the Commencement Date, to the Crown’s satisfaction.
Paragraph (i) return improvement in a safe, clean and sanitary condition. All of your rights to the land will absolutely forfeited to the Crown. Huge expenditures of taxpayer’s money will be required to bridge the river above McIntire Dam and to then create another bridge downstream from McIntire Dam. It will be necessary to exchange lands or some other agreement with Osoyoos Indian Band to continue the trail.
The KVR track and hillside following Sawmill Road needs to be kept in a wild state to provide a liner wildlife corridor and provide a quality land view between urban and orchard lands.
The trail will require bridging of Testalinda Creek which is not feasible for a continued flood control measure as the creek will (after the fire) and historically, flood annually.
The trail will go though a swap land south of Rd 6 and disturb a very important linier pathway for wildlife. It is not an ecologically sound idea. Since the removal of the tracks farmer’s have kept the right away from the growth of trees, brush, weeds, in some cases smoothed down the banks for their own safety and kept down the fire hazards. Since paying for lease agreements many bearing fruit trees have been planted, fences put in to contain lives stock. Horses Cattle, Sheep and Goats. Some use the track for moving equipment, keeping it off Highway 97.
Concerns are expressed about the Regional Plans for movement of heavy trucks, commercial trailers, farm tractors and trucks and cars. If we occupy the rail right a way, will the Highways’ Department upgrade Highway 97 to 3 or 4 lanes. Thus destroying farmland with an impervious surface. It has to be remembered that farm soils are very limited.
In the Community Plan: Farming Priorities are for SOIL, WATER, and SPACE. A long-range view must be considered for preservation of soils suitable for growing produce and animals. Space must be kept available also. The Community Plan also calls for preservation of liner and elevation corridors, east & west for movement of Wildlife and to preserve the ambiance of the area. The trail will further limit Agricultural SOILS and SPACE.
Finances: Farmer’s will be obligated to remove trees and fences, restore the land as per agreements. We understand we will also have to fence our properties to protect us from legal obligations. Alternative routing of the trail. From Rd 9 cross the Bridge and up to the Black Sage Road makes good sense and the Black Sage area has been identified as a Heritage Route down to Road 18.
I will explain why the River Dyke should not be used. A brief history explanation will help to understand why. The Drop Structures where constructed by diversion channels about 1957 and then water channelled through the Drop structures by creating extensive rip-wrap (rock) sides. Wells were drilled to keep track of seepage, which would destabilize the dike. Holding ponds were created to filter sediment from the creeks and needed to be readily accusable for heavy machinery. As with any river and delta the water spreads out before entering a lake thus making dykes susceptible to a poor soil base, therefore maintenance in necessary and critical for flood prone years.
The Drop structures have been undercut by floodwaters and require difficult repairs. The Culverts under the dyke have sometimes been plugged by Beavers and needed sophisticated machinery to remove the wood. Changes in priorities for low flows have required lowering of intakes for irrigation pumps. Water Pump Stations are now required to have a set back from the high water mark. A lot of rock is being stored on the dyke by Drop Structure #4 because of the sound base of the dyke and quick movement to required areas. Therefore closures of the dyke becomes frequent.
I hope the public will now understand why a Hike and Bike trail from Road 9 bridge to Road 22 is not feasible. It is not a scenic route compared to an alternate higher route such as the Black Sage.
The Black Sage has been designated as a Historic Area and does provide beautiful views of farmlands, creek, mountains, Wine Shops, views of the river and oxbows, wetlands and the dyke and channel system. Thu providing a very educational view.
Dave Evans