Fishing with Rod Discussion Forum
Fishing in British Columbia => General Discussion => Topic started by: Floater on December 07, 2015, 11:11:46 AM
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Came across the article about a couple lakes that have been swallowed up by a privet land owner, takning away fishing access to a couple lakes in Merritt. I remember in another post someone mentioned how lucky we are that the vedder has so much public access and i tried to compare it to other river systems i fish and i realized how true that statement was. What do you guys think about land owners who cut off access to trails and water ways once they buy up a large piece of land.
http://thetyee.ca/News/2015/12/07/Nicola-Valley-Local-Anglers/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_content=120715-1&utm_campaign=editorial-1215
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https://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/programs-632.html
Its all in jeopardy...
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Do you have enough money to ask that question?
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Reply with a question to a question. . . real productive conversation ::)
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The case went to court because the potential claimant (Nicola Fish and Game) wanted the costs covered by the Province. The judge said no and the case presented by NFG looked to many as kind of specious. The billionaire in the story, Stan Kroenke, does not own all the land around Corbett Lake and hasn't denied access to that lake to anyone. The public access was closed by the previous owner of the Corbett Lake Country Inn in the early 90s'. Likewise access to Minnie and Stoney was blocked by Douglas Lake Cattle Ranch in the 70s when it was owned by Chunky Woodward. Both lakes were fish-less at the time as the BC Fish and Wildlife Branch stopped stocking them as they frequently winter and even summer killed. Both were known to grow large trout quickly if they fish survived for a year or 2.
The lakes were developed as private access fisheries in the early 80s by DLCR - who made the changes necessary for the lakes to support fish and stocked them privately. This included raising the level of the lake by installing catch dams. In cases where ponds or lake are raised or created by dams installed by private landowners the province accepts the resulting lake bed is not public land but is private as is the lake shore. No fisheries easement is required as NFG seems to suggest.
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Good info RalphH, thanks.
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As was yours Floater, though mine was sarcasm ::)
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Good info RalphH, thanks.
X2
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His wife sounds as rich as him too.
Yup and I hope the Nicola fish and Game club win, do not know if they will or not but if they lose it will be a bad thing province wide. Like with beaches in West Van there is or was an uproar over the rich property owners denying public access to the beach.
The owners should create access to the lakes.
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-- As RalphH has indicated this is a complex and long going case.
-- This case has mixed support for those reasons. We have to be careful of what battles we choose to fight.
-- We also do not know because of poor freedome of information access what the government may have exchanged or promiced. This will come out in court. This may be a case of a dumb deal made between government officials and the land owner.
-- Changes in the water act and the defenition of a fishery that were changed by the last federal government were significant and hopefully can be modified.
--Water right legislation changes in BC allowing the Run of River projects to... for very little cash gain control of all excess water is also significant.
--We cannot just stick our heads in the sand about these issues... if we want to keep fishing.
--My suggestion would be to join or form a local area fishing club and keep up on the issues of the day as well as add your weight to the fight.
--Just don't forget to actually fish and have fun without feeling guilty about it.
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Living in the area I have feedback on both sides. It is complicated and not as clear as each side both say. There is some pretty solid info on access due to highways.....a deactivated highway road at Minnie done by someone? And a trade of lake access from highway at Corbett for another area in the region on another Lake.
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Since Nicola Fish and Game doesn't have the resources to take it to court it's a dead issue unless that situation changes. Their case was basically full of holes as it was based on false assumptions - or at least the judge who heard their petition for crown funding said. You can find the judgement on line if you care to look. BTW the Tyee article is about 2 years old if not more. They fished Corbett lake in winter - when it's closed so they both trespassed and poached assuming they caught something.
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I think only Courtney is closed to fishing in the winter months? I think that most of the fighting on both sides has subsided.
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I think only Courtney is closed to fishing in the winter months? I think that most of the fighting on both sides has subsided.
Corbett is managed as a private lake I believe
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True but at one time had public access.
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Corbett is stocked by the Inn and they control access. Regulations are set by the Province.
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--I empathise with both sides.
--At one time Douglas lk used to let locals hunt on their private property. All you had to do was go to the main ranch, sign in and out of their property. They were happy to share your stories and success as well as when you told them if you saw some fence that needed repair or other issues.
--This seemed to be to much trouble for some locals who just went in and out as they pleased so eventually it was shut down to all of us.
--Bummer for those who were willing to follow a few simple rules... mainly common sense.
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Fishers arrested today. http://www.merrittherald.com/protest-on-corbett-lake-expected-today/
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Fishers Trespassers arrested today. http://www.merrittherald.com/protest-on-corbett-lake-expected-today/
Fixed it for ya' Chris!
You're welcome! ;D
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Fishers arrested today. http://www.merrittherald.com/protest-on-corbett-lake-expected-today/
Why did you do that? The headline said protesters were arrested ..., hey, maybe coming soon to a Superstore near you ;D
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For those interested... As well the trial dates for the Minnie Lake, Stoney Lake case is set for 15 days in January, 2017
Ban Lifted...
Tuesday, 17 May 2016 12:46 Written by Jamie Ballam
400 metre ban lifted for fisherman arrested and charged following protest at Corbett Lake.
Despite having their initial court date pushed this morning, Rick McGowan and two of the other 6 members of the Nicola Valley Fish and Game Club arrested and charged with criminal mischief back on Dec 15th, 2015 met with Crown Council in Merritt earlier today.
"Because we showed up the order to stay away from the lake is now vacated. The crown can dick around with charges until whenever they want, but if they're gonna pursue charges they will have to actually serve us again and provide some disclosure."
According to Merritt RCMP Sgt Norm Fleming the court date for the six was pushed earlier today because clarification was needed from Crown Council before proceeding with the charges of criminal mischief, although a timeline for that happening is not known.
As for McGowan, he confirms the group plans to meet this week to discuss their options moving forward, which may or may not include another protest at the lake, despite continued warnings from Merritt RCMP that it remains illegal to access the lake without consent.
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The NVRGC v. DLCC case is set to begin tomorrow.
Court Room 5A - Kamloops Supreme Court
I know it is late, and snowing but it would be great if any locals could show their support. Regardless of which side your on this case will have huge consequences province wide!
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Good info RalphH, thanks.
X3