Ranch owners worry trail will lead to theft

Application to allow recreational trail through Kelowna farm property denied by provincial body

KELOWNA — The owners of the Eldorado Ranch in Kelowna have “numerous concerns” about the Okanagan Rail Trail running through their property, says the Agricultural Land Commission.

Inadequate trail fencing, the potential for trespass and illegal camping on farmland, and the possibility of equipment theft were of concern to ranch owners.

The ALC has permitted the long-distance recreation trail from Coldstream to Kelowna to be constructed along dozens of other farming properties, saying local governments had done a good job of mitigating potential conflicts.

But the ALC refused to grant similar permission for that portion of the trail that runs from north of Kelowna’s airport, through the Eldorado Ranch, and around the east side of Duck Lake.

“The panel does not approve the trail’s alignment as proposed (on the Eldorado Ranch) and requires discussion of other potential routes that is supported by the landowners of the Eldorado Ranch,” the ALC said in its decision on the trail’s construction.

Although the ALC released its decision in mid-September, there was no mention of it at any local government meeting until last week. Neither was it referenced during public events in late September to open the trail, the construction of which was accomplished through an $8-million fundraising campaign.

Addressing Kelowna city council on Monday, Matt Vader, a Lake Country town employee now overseeing the trail’s continued development, sought to downplay the significance of the decision, saying there was “nothing new” in recent media reports about the issue.

In fact, the decision effectively means the trail currently consists of two distinct segments and might forever remain that way unless the issue of access through the Eldorado Ranch is resolved. There is no viable detour around the closed-off section unless trail users are willing to venture onto busy Highway 97 and walk or cycle along the shoulder.

In their comments to the ALC, the Eldorado Ranch owners said employees cross the abandoned railway corridor several times a day with machinery. The ranch owners said they’re concerned about liability for employee and public safety in the event of an accident involving trail users and ranch workers.

Ranch owners also say there’s a “future need to run waterlines and infrastructure” across the trail. The City of Kelowna, which filed the application to allow the trail to be built through properties in the ALR, plans to submit additional information to the ALC in hopes the commission will reverse its decision.