The Department of Fisheries and Oceans has provided funding for some signage at the boat launch area on the Horsefly River in Horsefly.
The funding will also purchase directional signs for use on the highway during the Salmon Festival, and repair the sign damaged last year by vandals.
The funding was discussed during the roundtable meeting held in the Horsefly Library April 19. The next roundtable meeting is coming up Thursday, May 17 at the library in Horsefly starting at 7 p.m.
We have CRD funding to continue working on wheelchair accessibility to the Salmon Trails as well as the river. The idea of using a used conveyor belt from the mining industry has been put forward, and it will need DFO approval to go ahead.
Doug Turvey from DFO will be contacted regarding signage to restrict motor-bike access to the Salmon Trail, and blocking access to the trail from the east side of the channel.
The dirt bike activity on the trail has pretty well destroyed any improvements made last year.
The recent high winds have knocked down a lot of trees, and some serious cleanup and danger-tree clearing must be done prior to the tourist season.
The plans for field work prescriptions for the various projects in the watershed have been drawn up and the needed funding to complete them is in the process of being applied for.
The Salmon Festival plans are almost complete. The square dance is being moved ahead to Friday night; vendors are being contacted; brochures are being designed for self guided tours; inquiries are being made already by some schools, in particular the community of Nazko.
The roundtable used to find funds to pay for busing the students, but funding difficulties make this no longer possible.
There is still some funding left for at least four fish-related pieces of art to be used at our annual festival. If you are an artist with an idea, please contact Maureen LeBourdais regarding the format.
The Fisheries Sensitive Designation is still not released to the general public, although the background report is in the public domain.
There has been discussion on having a “Salmon Egg Race” during the Salmon Festival this fall and whether to celebrate Rivers Day on Sept. 30.
The group discussed proposals to eliminate the word “habitat” from wording in the environmental act. While members had different opinions on the proposal it was acknowledged the roundtable itself should stay out of this type of politics.