Spall residents demand concerns be addressed

A group of people living near Rose Swanson Mountain are demanding local authorities deal with their safety concerns.

About 20 Spallumcheen residents had their say at a meeting Thursday with forestry, RCMP and municipal government officials.

Rose Swanson isn't really a park and that’s just the beginning of a very complex set of issues. The large parcel is all crown land, but some parts have logging interests and other parts are used for recreation, complete with established hiking trails.

The problems are arising from the conflict between visitors and residents. The homeowners are concerned with the people who speed on Chamberlaine Road, race their quads and motorcycles, and party in the bush. There is also a concern about the ne’er do wells sparking wildfires.

Spallumcheen chief administrative officer Greg Betts says back in May, his council tasked him to organize the meeting. He was to find out what the resident's concerns were and report back to council with recommendations.

Betts isn’t sure what the ultimate outcome of the meeting will be because, “Similar issues are being experienced on crown land in other Okanagan communities.”

“We are listening to everyone and moving forward.”

Betts is putting together a report for Spallumcheen council. There next regular meeting is on Sept. 9, but he isn’t promising his report will be ready by then.