IronNoggin
Well-Known Member
Many years ago a group of dedicated anglers petitioned DFO to open up access to a portion of the Stamp / Somas River system for sockeye fishing.
The negotiations and studies involved lasted almost half a decade, but in the end DFO agreed to open up that area adjacent to Somas Park which offered adequate parking and access.
Late last week, the Port Alberni Town Council decided unilaterally to permanently lock the gate to the park, denying access for anglers, boaters and campers alike. They cited "financial concerns" for doing so. The amount of maintenance and garbage removal was and always have been a ridiculously low priority / cost to the town's coffers.
Hundreds of people went there to fish. Many from far flung places, adding to the level of tourism in Port.
The access to the park is via Service Road, a very short & narrow road surrounded by private lands. People are being forced to park along that narrow road alongside steep ditches and directly in front of those private dwellings, creating both a nuisance for the landowners and a public safety issue.
In addition, the park offers the only public boat launch between there and Papermill Damn. That means that the many drift boats, rafts, jet boats and tubers utilizing the river will have to go through the falls and rapid flow at the dam to extract from the river. This too presents a serious public safety issue. More than a few folks have died over the years running that piece of water.
Yesterday I attended the Town Council meeting in person noting these concerns. It was more than obvious they were blissfully unaware of these matters. The mayor doubled down on the economics (this is the same town council that has no problem issuing funds for rainbow crosswalks and riverside trails that no-one uses). When I suggested the savings were not worth the loss of access to negotiated fishing waters and the launch, she openly wondered why this park was even a concern for the town when in her mind it rightfully belongs to the Regional District. When I suggested they then turn the park over to the District I was met with blank stares and crickets.
They did note that they will be reconsidering the matter due to my presentation and a good deal of backlash via social media.
I am posting this to ask you all to help them make up their minds.
I would like to suggest that any who share my concerns as noted above send them an email and / or place a note on their Facebook page encouraging them to overturn this erroneous decision.
Town Council Email: corp_serv@portalberni.ca
Mayor Sharie Minons: sharie_minions@portalberni.ca
Councillor Cindy Solda: cindy_solda@portalberni.ca
Councilor Dustin Dame: dustin_dame@portalberni.ca
Councillor Debbie Haggard: debbie_haggard@portalberni.ca
Councillor Charles Mealy: charles_mealey@portalberni.ca
Councillor Todd Patola: todd_patola@portalberni.ca
Port Alberni Town Council Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CityofPortAlberni/
Many thanks to all that chose to help support this local fishery!
Cheers,
Matt
The negotiations and studies involved lasted almost half a decade, but in the end DFO agreed to open up that area adjacent to Somas Park which offered adequate parking and access.
Late last week, the Port Alberni Town Council decided unilaterally to permanently lock the gate to the park, denying access for anglers, boaters and campers alike. They cited "financial concerns" for doing so. The amount of maintenance and garbage removal was and always have been a ridiculously low priority / cost to the town's coffers.
Hundreds of people went there to fish. Many from far flung places, adding to the level of tourism in Port.
The access to the park is via Service Road, a very short & narrow road surrounded by private lands. People are being forced to park along that narrow road alongside steep ditches and directly in front of those private dwellings, creating both a nuisance for the landowners and a public safety issue.
In addition, the park offers the only public boat launch between there and Papermill Damn. That means that the many drift boats, rafts, jet boats and tubers utilizing the river will have to go through the falls and rapid flow at the dam to extract from the river. This too presents a serious public safety issue. More than a few folks have died over the years running that piece of water.
Yesterday I attended the Town Council meeting in person noting these concerns. It was more than obvious they were blissfully unaware of these matters. The mayor doubled down on the economics (this is the same town council that has no problem issuing funds for rainbow crosswalks and riverside trails that no-one uses). When I suggested the savings were not worth the loss of access to negotiated fishing waters and the launch, she openly wondered why this park was even a concern for the town when in her mind it rightfully belongs to the Regional District. When I suggested they then turn the park over to the District I was met with blank stares and crickets.
They did note that they will be reconsidering the matter due to my presentation and a good deal of backlash via social media.
I am posting this to ask you all to help them make up their minds.
I would like to suggest that any who share my concerns as noted above send them an email and / or place a note on their Facebook page encouraging them to overturn this erroneous decision.
Town Council Email: corp_serv@portalberni.ca
Mayor Sharie Minons: sharie_minions@portalberni.ca
Councillor Cindy Solda: cindy_solda@portalberni.ca
Councilor Dustin Dame: dustin_dame@portalberni.ca
Councillor Debbie Haggard: debbie_haggard@portalberni.ca
Councillor Charles Mealy: charles_mealey@portalberni.ca
Councillor Todd Patola: todd_patola@portalberni.ca
Port Alberni Town Council Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CityofPortAlberni/
Many thanks to all that chose to help support this local fishery!
Cheers,
Matt
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