A Keremeos driven resolution to ban camping on active riverbeds received full support from directors around the Regional District Okanagan Similkameen table.
The resolution will now be read at the Union of British Columbia Municipalities this fall in Victoria in an attempt to gain even more support and hopefully more clout with the provincial government.
“We’ve been working on this for many years and I’ve met multiple times with various ministries and of course the responsibility has shifted over the years,” Keremeos Mayor Manfred Bauer said.
The resolution asks for an amendment to the Forest and Range Practices Act that would prohibit camping on active riverbeds throughout B.C. Currently the act reads that camping is allowed for a 14-day period.
Over the years the village of Keremeos and concerned residents have tried solutions including putting garbage bins out for campers, outhouses and even setting up a campground.
The resolution will be read out at UBCM and Bauer plans to meet with the Ministry of Forests Lands and Natural Resource Operations.