ADAMS RIVER: Development marina shelved

Controversial plans for a large marina and residential development along the Adams River at the mouth of the world-famous salmon-spawning habitat have been shelved.

The decision was announced Monday night at a public hearing called by the Columbia Shuswap Regional District to hear responses to the proposal.

More than 500 people packed the meeting to show their concerns about having a 12-hectare housing development with 218 commercial and residential units and a marina with 160 slips built along the river.

The regional district was considering a rezoning application by the Kamloops-based New Future Building Group.

The proposal has been vehemently opposed by local residents, anglers and conservationists for fears the project would destroy the returning adult salmon run and kill off the juvenile offspring that start their lives in Shuswap Lake.

"This is such a crucial area for salmon and we felt very strongly it was not the right location for this proposal," said Mark Angelo, the rivers chairman of the Outdoor Recreation Council of B.C.

But while the marina component of the project has been dropped, Angelo said he is concerned the developer will still try to build homes in the parcel of land.

The logical step, he said, is for the provincial government to buy the land at a cost of more than $5 million.

"Our hope is the provincial government purchases this property and incorporates it into the Roderick Haig-Brown Provincial Park," said Angelo.

"The Adams river has an internationally-renowned salmon run and the area from an environmental point of view is incredibly important."

He said boat traffic and problems such as fuel spills would leave the salmon in peril. And if dikes were built to control flooding, the fish could be harmed.

"The fact the developer has backed off is a victory for the river and the wild salmon, but it remains to be seen what modified proposal the developer will put forward."

Jim Cooperman, who has lived in the Shuswap for 39 years, said the project made no sense.

President of the Shuswap Environmental Action Society, Cooperman said even with the marina dropped from the plans, the size of the proposal would be devastating to the river.

"The community does not want 218 units by the river," he said.

Cooperman said locals wonder why the proposal was even considered by the regional district administrators.

"The regional district is not looking after the people who live here," he said.

Each fall, the area attracts thousands of tourists who go to see the fish make their way along the 11 kilometres of river between Adams Lake and Shuswap Lake.

(prepared by John Colebourn/Vancouver Province)