From: Ellen Zimmerman

Hello, I am asking for your help to distribute the action alert below, the result of over 10 years of the best science available and public consultation. This regulation has the support of conservations, hunters, fishers, recreationalists and the Columbia Wetlands Stewardship Partners. Please help us achieve this final regulation to protect the Columbia Wetlands and River. Thanks

The Columbia needs your voice – help finalize the last boating regulation

Federal boating regulations for the Columbia River and Wetlands have been a long time coming, and are nearly in place for good. Two out of three are getting final approval by the Government of Canada. This is great news for the river and wetlands!

But the last proposed amendment for a regulation is still open to public comment.

It is this: ...a restriction on all motorized vessels on the Columbia River between Fairmont Hot Springs and Donald Station, not including the waters of Windermere Lake, with the exception of those vessels operating with a motor of 20 hp or less.

Wildsight supports this amendment and would like it to become law in Canada. We support it because it allows for historic use of the Columbia River and is a good balance between extremes of “no-motorized” and “over-motorized.”

Your voice is crucial in helping seal a decade of work that will protect the sensitive ecological values of the Columbia River and Wetlands far into the future.

Whether you believe that a less-than-20 hp regulation is a good compromise, or whether you believe it is too much of a compromise, come to the open houses or comment today by e-mail or mail.

You can comment in writing or at one of three open houses.

Send your written comments regarding the proposed regulation to:

Tim McCann, Transport Canada, Office of Boating Safety, 620-800 Burrard Street Vancouver, BC V6Z 2J8,

By Fax: Attn. Tim McCann 1.604.666.5444

By Email: timothy.mccann@tc.gc.ca

Or attend one the upcoming open houses:

1.     Golden, July 28, 2009 • 4 pm – 8 pm • Senior’s Centre

2.     Brisco, July 29, 2009 • 11 am – 1:30 pm • Brisco Hall

3.     Invermere, July 29, 2009 • 4 pm – 8 pm • Invermere Community Hall

Thanks for your support! The Wildsight Team

Ellen Zimmerman

Wildsight

PO Box 1496

Golden, BC V0A 1H0

250-348-2225

ellen@wildsight.ca

ellenzim@uniserve.com