Letter to Council: McCall Lake
Peachland Town Council
April 11th 2006
Peachland Sportsmens Association would like to pursue the possibility of making the Mount Coldham area a designated recreation area for the people of Peachland.
In discussion with the Ministry of Environment fisheries biologist Brian Jantz, we have obtained a commitment to stock McCall Lake with catchable trout in sufficient numbers to allow an instant fishery. There are at present many walking trails in the area and part of the lower slope has been designated an "Old Growth Management Area". McCall Lake is the only lake close to Peachland suitable for a "Put and Take" fishery. The ministry is attempting to find suitable locations for this kind of fishery in close proximity to town.
Many trails intersect this area and combined with Pincushion and the “Park” area above the old dumpsite, we have a potential recreation area second to non in the Okanagan Valley. Peachland could become known for its trails and wilderness education areas. This area is already enjoyed by the Peachland Riding Club and many hunters, ATV’rs and people knowledgeable enough to get into the area just for walking. It is also an excellent area for mountain bikes. At present there is no integrated recreation plan for any of this area, even though it has great potential. Also to stop the area from being abused by indiscriminate trail building we believe that a joint community plan should be looked into and a management plan presented to the appropriate authorities to preserve and enhance the recreational and wilderness features of this area on our doorstep.
At present there is an access problem, with the road into this area. This road was once used to get into the area and is now being blocked by the residential owner as it crosses his private land. The municipality has a right of way up from Law Street, which could be used to facilitate access by building a road to crown land which would have to be done before the Ministry of Environment would be able to stock the Lake and to facilitate people who wished to use the area.
Could the Mayor please bring a motion forward to investigate the possibility of supplying access to this area and be willing to work with the Sportsmens Association and other community groups to develop a recreation plan for the area?
Al Springer