The draft Columbia Lake Management Plan is now available for public review and comment.

“The draft plan is the culmination of an extensive planning process and the next step is to share the draft with the public and get feedback” explained Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) Planning Coordinator Karen MacLeod.

“To help gather that input, we have set up an online comment form on the project page along with a places tool, which allows people to drop pins on a map and make comments on the draft or recommendations within the Plan.”

The draft plan, comment form, and places tool can be found here.

The comment period deadline is November 30, 2021.

Those without access to a computer or who would like to provide input in more traditional ways can contact the RDEK at 1-888-478-7335. “This is an important milestone in the project as it gives the public the chance to look at what has been included in the plan and let us know where they feel we’ve hit the mark and provide suggestions for areas that could potentially be improved upon,” added MacLeod.

Since the spring of 2020, there have been two rounds of online engagement, consultation with First Nations and stakeholders, and input from a Technical Review Committee. Once the comment period closes at the end of November, comments received will be considered as the final plan is prepared before being presented to the RDEK board and Village of Canal Flats council for adoption early in 2022.

The plan, which will replace the existing 1997 Columbia Lake Management Strategy, will guide local government decisions affecting Columbia Lake and its shoreline and is being prepared by the RDEK in partnership with the Village of Canal Flats.

e-KNOW file photo

RDEK

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