Revelstoke council agreed to ask BC Hydro to reconvene a committee to oversee usage of the Columbia River Flats.
Council was faced with two requests at its meeting on Tuesday. One was to ask BC Hydro for funding for an enforcement officer for the area. The other was to have them reconvene the Upper Arrow Lakes Drawdown Zone Advisory Committee.
After some discussion, they opted to go with the latter.
"If we can get this committee re-convened, maybe these issues will resolve themselves," said councillor Scott Duke, who was sitting in the mayor's chair in Mark McKee's absence. "It may take longer than we think, but at least they’re getting looked at.”
Enforcement of regulations on the Flats has been an ongoing issue that emerged to the forefront recently when the North Columbia Environmental Society asked for a ban on motorized recreation on the Flats.
The issue came back to council on Tuesday, with two motions recommended by city committees. There was some confusion over what exactly was being requested.
“I’m not too sure what we’re asking for? We’re asking for additional enforcement services - what does that entail?" asked coun. Connie Brothers.
Alan Mason, the city's director of economic development, said it could mean funding to hire an extra RCMP officer of Conservation Officer.
“At this point neither agency has the capacity for enforcement there," he said. “I know the stakeholders have complained to Hydro and they’re frustrated nothing’s happened.”
BC Hydro owns about 63 per cent of the Flats.
He suggested reconvening the advisory committee before asking BC Hydro for extra enforcement.
Council voted unanimously to go in that direction.