Taghum/Blewett residents have chance to give direction to Boat Launch Study
By Nelson Daily Staff
It’s been months since the Regional District of Central Kootenay Directors were informed about recreation boating concerns on Kootenay River near Taghum.
However, the RDCK directors appear ready to take the next step in the process by hosting a Public Open House for the Taghum/Blewett Boat Launch Study Wednesday, November 8 at the Blewett Elementary School between 5-8 p.m.
“Ideally we’d like to know from the public what they want in a boat launch,” RDCK Area F Director Tom Newell told The Nelson Daily.
“Does the public want a launch area for bigger boats or maybe they’re okay with an area for just kayaks. This is the opportunity for the public to give their input.”
Boaters used to be able to launch watercraft at a makeshift spot on Fisherman’s Pit Road. But Teck in Trail closed that spot due to concerns about liability, with the lands deemed “contaminated” with the age-old tailings of the once active Kenville Mine in Blewett.
The Regional District of the Central Kootenay’s board voted in the spring to spend $20,000 for a study into the feasibility and location of a new boat launch on the river near Taghum.
The study came after a grass roots petition is gained the attention of directors as residents of Taghum, Beasley, Blewett and Bonnington banded together with hopes of creating a legal boat launch access west of Nelson on the Kootenay River.
“Our goal is to find out from the public how we move forward,” said Newell , who along with Area F Director Ramona Faust, have been spearheading the study.
“We want the public to provide feedback to gain and to find out the needs of the community.”
The open house will take place on Wednesday at the Blewett Elementary School (2665 Blewett Road).
“The community’s collective knowledge of boating in the area will be paramount in identifying a preferred boat launch site,” said Director Faust.
Elise Pare from WSP Engineering will lead the open house and provide a project background and information relating to design, permitting and construction processes.
The RDCK said a boat launch user survey will be distributed at the open house and made available to the public on the RDCK website until November 21, 2017.
