Music In The Park
services like clean drinking water, water inÀltration, Áood control and critical habitat for Àsh and wildlife,” said Jason Schleppe, the senior biologist on the foreshore mapping project.
“At the current rate of land development, the natural areas around the lake that are not located in parks or protected areas could be completely lost to development in 40 to 160 years.”
The wide time range takes into account Áuctuating development rates and the worst- and best-case scenarios for conservation.
The conservation program, along with partners such as the Central Okanagan Regional District, Okanagan Basin Water Board and City of Vernon, are therefore advocating a comprehensive Okanagan Lake shoreline management plan.
That will start this fall and spring as the program talks with residents, businesses and local governments about protecting the lakeshore and ecosystem and Áood planning.
The partners have also started to put together and distribute a best practices for shoreline management manual.
The Central Okanagan regional district also has an updated Áoodplain management plan in the works.
The partners recommend all existing natural areas be retained and other areas rehabilitated to natural green space.
“Okanagan Lake is a key asset,” said Boswell.“We have to protect it for the sake of the ecosystem and the economy.”