Mayes suggests notification was inadequate.

Residents concerned for the future of Turtle Bay in Mara Lake have found an ally in Okanagan-Shuswap MP Colin Mayes.

Mayes met recently in Swansea Point with members of the recently formed Turtle Bay Preservation Group to discuss the proposed development that inspired the group’s formation, a waterski slalom course/marina to be build in Turtle Bay on Mara Lake.

“We had a very good meeting, and when we finished we asked him what he could do for us,” said group spokesperson Joyce Balestra.

In 2003 Alfonso Daudet applied to Tranpsort Canada to set up a waterski course/marina in Turtle Bay that would serve as the summer home of the Gato Loco Slalom Ski Club. Prior to approval in 2007, in 2006 the proposal was advertised in the Salmon Arm Observer and the Shuswap Market News (in which the location was referred to as Turtle Cove), and members of the public were given 30 days to comment. There were no replies. And the Department of Fisheries determined public participation unnecessary because there had been “no indication of an existing or likely public interest in the type of project, the location of the project or the ways it might affect the community.”

Mayes explained by e-mail some of the concerns he has after meeting with Balestra and company in Swansea Point.

“The first issue identified was concerning process. In rural areas, a notice in the local paper does not provide adequate notice to residents,” said Mayes. “I believe all residents within a set distance from the permit application should receive notice directly through mail.”

Mayes adds seasonal property owners should have been considered when public notification went out.

“The beachfront property owner was not notified of the application, and only made aware of the application by local residents after the fact,” said Mayes, referring to seasonal property owners with residences in the bay. “If that is the case that is unacceptable.”

Mayes says he will be speaking to ministry staff about the permit process and will “definitely be seeking a policy amendment to the notification process.”

The Turtle Bay Preservation Group hosted a public meeting, with Daudet, in October. The meeting concluded with Daudet agreeing to contact Transport Canada to look at changing his proposal so that the waterski course would be located just outside of the bay, which would be guarded with log booms providing controlled access to boaters.

At the same meeting a director of the Columbia Shuswap Regional District noted a possible issue with the notification process which, in turn, encouraged the protection group to contact Transport Canada to review the process.

“In view of the changes and the facts that have now come to light since 2006, would they consider revisiting and revoking that licence?” asked Balestra.