As most of you are aware we are actively pursuing the Federal, Provincial and Municipal governments to have the Nicomekl River dredged as the flow of sediment is being deposited in our marina. In the last year we have had at least 2 feet of sediment clog our facility leaving it impossible for boats to enter or leave the marina on a low tide. While we can't be sure what the root cause is, we know that the developments up the river from us have increased the amount of sediment that has been deposited in the marina.
The Marina itself has attained the required approvals to dredge but has decided to defer the dredging until the problem with the river is solved. If the marina were to dredge this year it would have to be a complete dredge which would cost in excess of 2.0 million dollars but would only be a temporary cure as we would immediately start silting in again.
In a letter received from MP Russ Hiebert this summer, he in essence advised that the Marina and the waterfront property owners would have to pay for the dredging of the river as it is not a commercial waterway.
We believe the government(s) are responsible for the river not the people of Surrey.
There are 3 main areas of concern;
- The Nicomekl River was last dredged in 1989 and as anyone can see that has used the river in the last year - it has filled in to a point that it is not safe for navigation. Should anyone be water skiing or boarding on a lower tide they take a risk of being severely injured by running aground.
- Not only is it not safe for navigation but on the lower tides it will be impossible for the migrating salmon and trout to return to their spawning grounds. The culverts that have been built to help them get to their spawning grounds are filled in the silt and covered with oysters. If we want the species to continue and to thrive, the river has to be dredged to aid them in continuing their cycle.
- With the increase in sediment in the river we believe that when the heavy fall and winter rains come, the additional water will have no where to go but up and that will flood all the water front property owners land. This will eventually erode the banks more than they are now and that sediment will again fill in the marina.
We need to be heard and we need your help. We have included email links to Kevin Falcon - Minister of Transportation, Russ Hiebert, MP for South Surrey and Dianne Watts, Mayor of Surrey. As we are just coming into an election this couldn't be a better time for you to send in your letters demanding that they find the funds to dredge this river.
Kevin Falcon minister.transportation@gov.bc.ca
Russ Hiebert hieber@parl.gc.ca
Dianne Watts dlwatts@surrey.ca
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