7177 Hwy 97 – north of Oliver east side – sloping to the old river bottom.

Talked to Ruth McDonald who owned this property until recently when she had to sell it.

She had made an application to subdivide the 5 hec plus parcel into two – one for ALR – working orchard near highway and one protected conservation and wetlands land that could be sold to Ducks Unlimited (near oxbows and Park Rill)

The RDOS liked the idea – conservationists liked the idea. But the ALC voted NO – important to hold on to AG land. A bit inexplicable as RDOS staff, former director and current director indicated support for the subdivision. The decision of the Agriculture Land Conservancy BLOCKED from view ( you can send to me if you can find it )

Only the Okanagan men and women on the ALC panel that looked at this said NO saying drain it, farm it – wow what great farmland. – It’s a bog and attempts to farm have failed says McDonald.

The local ALC panel member might want to take the time to comment on this post.

Beyond me. Its one thing to stop development and housing for farming but wetlands ????