Some questions we've heard from you

The response rate from lake users for the Aquatic Vegetation and Management study has been fantastic so far! If you have not had a chance to complete the If you haven't had a chance to take the short online survey or engage in the interactive vegetation maps, you have one week until the engagement window closes on Friday, January 20 - complete the survey engage with the interactive vegetation maps.

We have heard some reoccurring questions come up during the engagement process concerning jurisdiction and shoreline clean-up that we will review here:

Why doesn’t the PRRD just clean up the lake?

Water, lakes, rivers, streams, aquatic animals, etc. within British Columbia are the jurisdiction of the Province of BC and in some instances also the Government of Canada. The Province of BC has laws that protect water resources in the province by restricting and regulating certain activities that are conducted on, near or within bodies of water. The PRRD has to follow these laws the same as any individual or other organization and is required to apply for permits to conduct any regulated activities, like removing aquatic vegetation.

What about areas around private docks and weeds on the shorelines?

At this time, the scope of the Aquatic Vegetation Management Study is to identify possible areas (if any) that could benefit from the removal of aquatic vegetation with the least environmental harm. Possible treatment areas will aim to provide the greatest benefits (recreational, safety, etc.) to the public with the least impact. Shoreline vegetation removal is not being studied within the scope of the PRRD’s Aquatic Vegetation Management Study. Any works conducted in and about a watercourse in BC requires Provincial approval. That legislation also pertains to private landowners where their properties include watercourses or border watercourses.