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Ferry owner owes Township $100,000 Gerald Tapp has not paid a penny of 10-year-old debt MONIQUE TAMMINGA Times Reporter
The Langley man whose ship graveyard in Mission has been making headlines will be on the hook for around $100,000, for the provincial government’s costs of securing seven derelict boats from washing away, including a rotting Queen of Sidney moored on the Fraser River in Mission. But the lawyer for Langley Township says Gerald Tapp also owes nearly that same amount for a similar situation in 2002. So far, he hasn’t paid a dime, said Township lawyer James Goulden of Bull, Housser & Tupper. The Township was awarded a judgment in 2002 to clean up a property he owns in the 24900 block of River Road. That property had “unlawful dwelling unit, the unlawful shed, the unlawful float homes and barges, the unlawful trailer, all unlawful construction, as well as rubbish, discarded items, pieces of wood, paint cans, tarps, hoses, wrecked motor vehicles and other miscellaneous chattels,” said the Supreme Court Judge Davies in his 2002 judgment. “The clean up cost was $75,000. That was 10 years ago, so plus interest, we are looking at around $100,000 he hasn’t paid,” said Goulden. “The money he owes has been put against the title of his property.” A piling company hired by the province worked to secure the former Queen of Sidney ferry and six other derelict ships moored at Tapp’s waterfront property in Mission on Friday. Bridges, power transmission lines and the downriver house boating community were at risk if the ships were pulled loose by floodwaters and swept downstream. B.C.’s environment minister issued an emergency declaration last week and experts came into to secure the ships so they could withstand the rigors of this year’s freshet. Inside the former BC Ferry are a collection of classic cars and other vehicles and furniture. On Wednesday, the Ministry of Environment said it will attempt to recover its costs from the Tapps under the provisions of the B.C. Environmental Management Act.
Miranda GATHERCOLE/Langley Times
An RCMP officer greets a new Canadian citizen at a citizenship ceremony held at the Fort Langley National Historic Site on July 1. It was a special day for the new Canadians, who celebrated their citizenship on Canada’s birthday, in the year of Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee and in the birthplace of British Columbia.
Flood evacuation alert lifted Staff writer
An evacuation alert issued by the Township of Langley two weeks ago has been rescinded. The alert was issued June 20 to residents in the unprotected areas of Glen Valley, Northwest Langley, Brae Island and McMillan Island, as the Fraser River continued to rise and threatened to overflow its banks. However, the water level is now receding and the fear of flooding in low-lying areas is over, the Township says. “The Township of Lang-
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ley would like to thank everyone involved with and affected by this year’s freshet, especially those in the 147 homes and business who were put on evacuation alert. “We appreciate their patience and cooperation,” said Township Director of Public Works Roeland Zwaag. “We also want to thank members of the public for their understanding as rising waters caused roads, trails, and Fort Langley’s Marina Park to be shut down.” The alert was part of a
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“Thankfully, we didn’t experience the type of flooding that was seen in other parts of the province.” Roeland Zwaag Township of Langley
comprehensive flood plan that is followed by Langley Township each year during freshet season.
As the Fraser River rises, monitoring and levels of action also escalate to ensure public safety. “The well-being of everyone who lives and works here is our top priority and we have to be prepared for whatever happens,” Zwaag said. “Thankfully we didn’t experience the type of flooding that was seen in other parts of the province, but it is better to be safe than sorry.” The Marina Park boat launch and the portions of the Fortto-Fort Trail are still closed, and will remain that way until water levels recede further.
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