Recently a proposal came forth to start a company that gives tours on an airboat up the Granby and Kettle Rivers. This was met with a lot of opposition from the community of Grand Forks. It also served as a catalyst in facing the many other issues the rivers are facing such as low water levels, rising temperatures, the endanged speckled dace fish habitat, water allocations, and more. The Kettle River is ranked 6th on the 2008 Endangered Rivers List. We seek your support in having motorized watercraft restricted on this VERY VULNERABLE Kettle River Watershed.
PROTECT ECOSYSTEMS WITHIN THE KETTLE RIVER WATERSHED
Attention:
Transport Canada
330 Sparks Street
Ottawa, ON
K1A 0N5
Re: Use of motorized water craft within the Kettle River watershed
We the undersigned are opposed to the use of motorized watercraft (power boats, air boats, jet skis,) within the Kettle River watershed (Kettle, West Kettle, Granby Rivers and Christina Creek) for the following reasons:
- The use of motorized watercraft poses an imminent threat to the safety of swimmers, float tubers, rafters, canoeists, persons fishing, kayaking or engaged in other water activities.
- The use of motorized watercraft poses an unacceptable threat to fish (some endangered), fish eggs, diverse aquatic ecosystems, and a variety of river-dependent wildlife.
- The wake caused by these vessels results in stream bank erosion - this has been well documented. This then becomes a cost to our communities and leads to habitat destruction.
- The disturbing noise from these machines, especially the airboats, encroaches on the rights of other river users and residents who wish to enjoy the rivers' peace and quiet and sounds of nature.
I therefore strongly request that Transport Canada commence the Boating Restriction Process with the objective of imposing a ban on the use of motorized watercraft (some exceptions allowed) on the above mentioned vulnerable waterways.
I look forward to a favourable reply.
Thank you,
