Adams River land on B.C. government shopping list: minister

Sockeye salmon on the Adams River in B.C. will not have to share their spawning ground with a marina now that a developer has cancelled plans for a 160-boat facility near the mouth of the famous salmon river on Shuswap Lake.

B.C. Environment Minister Barry Penner told CBC News Tuesday that he's asked his department to put the Adams River property on the province's "shopping list."

A 160-boat marina was planned for Shuswap Lake near the mouth of the Adams River, part of an important Sockeye salmon run, until the developer cancelled plans after a public outcry. The proposed development is on private land adjacent to Roderick Haig-Brown Provincial Park. Area residents want the province to extend the park borders to include the controversial area.

"Every year, the ministry of environment, through B.C. Parks, looks to acquire additional lands that we think represent a unique characteristic or important habitat," said Penner.

"We would put it on our list of potential acquisition sites."

Penner said once a property is put on the list of potential acquisition sites, it will be ranked by the ministry according to habitat, if it is home to endangered species and if the land represents a type not already in the Parks portfolio.

The only catch is that the developer, New Future Building Group (which owns the land) must be willing to make a deal.

"Obviously, it would require a willing seller. We can't force the owner to sell it to us. I think we might have an interest in sitting down and seeing what that person might have in mind," Penner said.

Developer modifies plan

The developer, Mike Rink, bowed to public pressure Monday and announced New Future Building Group, "decided to withdraw the marina application." The proposed marina is no longer in the plan, but Rink said he still wants to build 218 condos along the Shuswap.

Environmental groups in the area said a condo development will still jeopardize the salmon run because sockeye occasionally spawn along the shoreline or beach.

Penner said he recognizes this fact.

"In busy years, when there are millions of the fish trying to spawn up the river, fish in the thousands will spawn on the beach because they can't get up the river."

When CBC News tried to contact Rink about the option to sell to the province, he did not return phone calls Tuesday. The waterfront property is valuable real estate, homes along the shore sell for millions of dollars, and it is unclear how much it would cost taxpayers to turn that land into a park.

Residents angry over proposal

More than 500 people packed a public meeting on Monday evening in Scotch Creek, in B.C.'s Southern Interior, to oppose the development plans, which included condominiums and the marina.

So many people came out to the meeting that the local businesses had to put up a tent with chairs and a loudspeaker outside after angry residents tried to push their way into the crowded fire hall.

Faced with the massive public opposition, developer Mike Rink of New Future Building Group told the crowd his company had cancelled the marina project.

Resident Rob LaBelle said people were furious over the idea of building the marina next to what many call the greatest salmon spawning river in North America.

"Having a 160-boat-slip marina within 400 meters of North America's largest sockeye salmon run, and a very healthy rainbow trout fishery is unconscionable and unthinkable," said LaBelle.

LaBelle also questioned why the Columbia Shuswap Regional District even considered the proposal.

"I think that it even got to this stage raises a lot of questions about the CSRD's process in this whole thing," said LaBelle.

Resident Lynn Erin agreed: "This is a jewel in our country. It's our pride and joy. A motor boat marina 400 metres from the mouth is just an unacceptable idea."

While many people were happy the marina project was cancelled, some still opposed construction of a 218-unit condo complex next to the river.

"It's great news the marina was dropped. That's the most noxious part of this development, but there are many other very bad parts of this development," said LaBelle.

The regional district is still considering that application.