by Lyonel Doherty

In a show of support for Mother Nature, the Town of Oliver is giving a thumbs up to a non-farm use application in the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR).

The Okanagan River Restoration Initiative (ORRI) is requesting approval from the Agricultural Land Commission (ALC) to construct Phase II of the ORRI on a one-acre property in the MacPherson Meadows area. The owners of the property, Ron and Georgena Forsythe, have agreed to enter into an easement with the ORRI to allow the project to proceed.

The initiative, involving a wide range of partners, began looking at restoring sections of the river in 2005. Their goal is to return portions of the channelized river back to its natural state and regain some of the aquatic life that was lost.

The area north of Oliver has been identified as the best area for a multi-phase, multi-year restoration program.

Most of the area needed for Phase II is Crown land, but a portion is privately held by the Forsythes. This portion is in the ALR, but reportedly has no agricultural potential.

The plan calls for the construction of a dike at the south end of the subject area at 7080 Meadows Drive. The dike will provide a wider floodplain, allowing water to spread across this area to form new oxbows that will slow the flow of water, creating pools and spawning grounds for fish and encourage natural re-vegetation.

Stephanie Johnson, the Town’s director of development services, said staff support this non-farm use since it offers an opportunity to restore the Okanagan River without  compromising the agricultural productivity of the property.

It was noted that pedestrians will still have access to public walkways in the area. It was also noted the project will be “dead in the water” if the ALC does not support it.