SLOCAN POOL PROPERTY

In 1994, the Province of British Columbia purchased from Cominco Ltd. expansion rights at the Waneta and Brilliant dams. As part of these negotiations, the Province also secured the rights to six parcels of landed owned by Cominco at Taghum, Glade and South Slocan. In 1998, Columbia Power Corporation (Columbia Power) acquired the 18.5 hectare property located on the shore of the Kootenay River near South Slocan, known as the Slocan Pool property.

To help determine the best public use for this historic property, and to develop a plan to manage the land, Columbia Power formed the Slocan Pool Advisory Committee in 1999. The Committee members were local residents who provided input on historical, recreational, cultural and commercial values as they worked to develop the management plan.

Since its acquisition, Columbia Power has undertaken trail maintenance to remove danger trees along pathways and to maintain the property. Assistance in trail maintenance has also been provided by local outdoor groups, members of the Slocan Pool Advisory Committee as well as Selkirk College's Recreational, Fish and Wildlife students. Over the years, interpretive signage and seating has been installed for the benefit of trail users.

In the summer of 2010, to ensure the future care and protection of the property, Columbia Power began preliminary discussions with the Nature Trust of British Columbia to transfer title of the Slocan Pool property. A leading land conservation organization in the province, the Nature Trust of British Columbia has invested over $68 million to secure more than 61,000 hectares of land since the 1970's. With transfer of the title, the Nature Trust of British Columbia would work in consultation with the Slocan Pool Advisory Committee to respect existing values as outlined in the management plan.

Columbia Power arranged for meetings with the Slocan Park Advisory Committee in the fall of 2010 and spring of 2011 to discuss a draft stewardship plan proposed by the Nature Trust. The committee accepted the proposed plan. Columbia Power is in the process of final legal review and approval prior to transfer of this property.