Kootenay/Columbia MP successfully lobbies for protection of Columbia River wetlands
By Contributor
NDP MP Wayne Stetski for Kootenay/Columbia has successfully lobbied the federal government to introduce regulations to keep high-powered motorized boats off the main channel of the Columbia River.
“The need for this kind of protection has been discussed in the Columbia Valley for more than a decade, and I promised voters to get results from the federal government,” Stetski said.
“I am proud to have been part of today’s resolution.”
In February, Stetski wrote to the Minister responsible and urged him to restart the regulation process to restrict high-powered boats beyond 20-horsepower in the main channel of the Columbia River.
In the spring Transport Canada published the proposed regulation and on Wednesday it officially came into force.
The regulation covers the Columbia River from its mouth of Columbia Lake at Fairmont up to Lake Windermere, then continues again north of Lake Windermere to Brisco, BC.
“The Columbia River is a world-renowned ecosystem that supports thousands of birds, fish, and other species,” Stetski said.
“These regulations will help to mitigate degradation of the river’s habitat and the negative impacts that high speed boats can have on wildlife.”
The regulations will not impact motorized use of Columbia Lake or Lake Windermere.
