Norm Macdonald MLA                                Columbia River – Revelstoke

MEDIA RELEASE

For immediate release

February 29th, 2008

Macdonald tells Minister marina approval must be rescinded

At the Legislature this week, Columbia River – Revelstoke MLA Norm Macdonald took the opportunity to speak with the Minister of Agriculture and Lands Pat Bell about his Ministry’s decision to approve a 32-slip marina on Lake Windermere.

“The Ministry’s decision is pre-mature.  The Regional District is in the middle of developing an official community plan and studies are underway to document the current state of the lake,” said Macdonald.  “I told the minister that it doesn’t make any sense at this time to approve this marina. We need to wait until all the data is available and a plan is in place.”

Minister Bell has indicated that he will consider the points Macdonald made.

“I believe that the best decisions are made closest to the area that will be affected, and the regional district is doing good work to develop a long-term plan for this lake.  The provincial government must acknowledge and respect that work.

“I am hopeful that the minister will review the decision that was made, and will look at rescinding the marina approval until the regional district’s planning process is complete.”