by Lisa Stewart
The Westerly News
April 12, 2006
Many
issues are in the works and most are funding dependent with Ucluelet's
Small Craft Harbour, so council (as the Harbour Authority) and the council-appointed
Harbour Advisory Commission (HAC) are looking forward to more communication
with Fisheries and Oceans and to a visit from the government Small Craft
Harbour representative June 20.
The Harbour Authority noted a letter from a federal habitat biologist outlining specifics to follow in construction of a new fish cleaning station at the Inner Boat Basin. The biologist had no objection to the project, but CAO Geoff Lyons noted another Fisheries and Oceans representative wants to see the cleaning station's waste stream connected to the sewer system rather than use an outfall pipe into the harbour. It was suggested this measure may help in the effort to minimize harbour-based attractants for sea lions.
Lyons also noted Small Craft Harbours has committed to a parking lot upgrade for the Boat Basin to address oil and water separation issues, but no timeframe has been attached to that project. The Harbour Authority suggested this remake of the parking lot would be a good time to address parking realignment in hopes of increasing capacity.
Capacity at the Boat Basin parking lot led to a brainstorming session about how and where to create a long-term parking facility in or near the community. Mayor St. Jacques said it is "a challenge for the district to find and buy available land." The HAC agreed to talk to community members and explore some options and ideas.
Creating a municipal boat launch was also the subject of a brainstorming session with various locations suggested. Coun. Russcher noted a boat launch could function as a revenue generator. HAC commissioner Rick Williamson stressed there must be ample parking at the launch facility and all agreed the Boat Basin is already stretched to capacity.
Whether the feds will fund the dredging needed at the western end of E finger at the approach to the Canadian Princess will be another topic of discussion in June.
Mayor St. Jacques reported the pressure to spend the federal money divested to the district with the Whiskey Dock back in 2001 is now off. The deadline to spend the money by the end of 2006 was extended by government for two more years.
Lyons reported ongoing municipal budget work includes working on a reasonable fee increase for Whiskey Dock users. The HAC has suggested that while a fee increase is necessary to bring in more revenue from the dock, the hike should be done in increments so existing users don't opt to go somewhere else to avoid the increase in cost.
Harbour Manager Steve Bird confirmed wharfage fees are now being applied to Whiskey Dock users. Lyons said a complaint was received about invoicing happening after the fact when all the proceeds from that trip's fish sales had already been dispersed. A report will be coming forward to council.
Ucluelet council sits four times per year to specifically address harbour related matters and the second meeting for 2006 took place April 4.
The Inner and Outer
Boat Basins are leased to the district by the federal Small Craft Harbours
while 52 Steps and the Whiskey Dock are owned by the district.
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The Westerly News is published each Wednesday in Ucluelet. Phone: 250
726-7029
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