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NEWS
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Vol. 120, Issue 97
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PROUDLY SERVING THE COMMUNITIES OF ROSSLAND, WARFIELD, TRAIL, MONTROSE, FRUITVALE & SALMO
City continuing river wall work
PAYING FINAL RESPECTS
Assessments will determine if any future remediation required BY SHERI REGNIER Times Staff
After 85 years, pretty much anything would begin to show cracks. That is what's happened with the historic river wall in downtown Trail, though the first leg of restoration doesn't sit pretty with the province. Following high water levels in 2012, the city was concerned about the wall's stability and questioned how much longer the barrier could withstand seasonal increases of hydraulic pressure without a breach. Restoration efforts first began along the shoreline because years of illegal dumping and washed up debris impeded access to the site as well as aging trees impacting an existing sewer system and the wall by embedding roots in both structures. Whenever work is planned near water, municipalities must submit a water act application to the Ministry of Forest, Lands and Natural Resource to make changes in and about a stream. While the city did receive a permit to begin river wall restoration, the ministry identified that vegetation along the shoreline was to be disturbed as little as possible to lessen impact to native fish and wildlife. “Soon after the selective removal of vegetation began, the city determined that the existing large trees were primarily relying on the sanitary line and the retaining wall for anchoring its root system,” explained Larry Abenante from Trail public works. “Aggressive high water constantly uproots trees along the river shoreline,” he said. “These trees were removed due to the potential damage to the infrastructure if the trees were to remain.” Since the shoreline clean up and wall rehabilitation was undertaken in 2013, the ministry issued a Water Act Order for the city to restore aquatic habitat while not reducing the effectiveness of the erosion protection works that were constructed. Work was to be completed by August 2015, but has been delayed in light of Teck's ongoing Groundwater Remediation Plan, which includes testing the Columbia River shores adjacent to downtown for potential impacts to sediment. The assessment work carries into next year, and those results will determine if additional remediation would be required. “Until that happens we don't know what, if anything, may need to be done,” said Abenante. “It may involve planting trees, so until then we are trying to work with Teck rather than duplicate. The city has to come up with a plan but the Water Act Order does give us a bit of flexibility. See WALL, Page 3
LIZ BEVAN PHOTO
Members of the U.S. Army travelled to Trail on Monday afternoon to present an American flag at the burial service of Sgt. Eric Honeyman, a member of a flight crew tasked with bombing bridges during the Battle of the Bulge in World War II. Over 100 well-wishers and around 40 members of the Honeyman family gathered at Mountain View Cemetery on Monday afternoon for the service. The RCMP, fire department, Cadets, member of the local Legion and more were in attendance to pay their respects to the airman. Sgt. Honeyman’s remains were discovered in the Belgian mountains six years ago, and, after excavation and DNA testing, were returned to his family. Visit trailtimes.ca for more photos.
Ministry warns unlicensed drivers in Trail Rides for cash without proper licence may result in fines BY LIZ BEVAN Times Staff
Cease and desist letters have been issued to two drivers for two different vehicles in Trail, requesting they stop picking up passengers for cash without the proper licencing. The names of the two drivers haven't been released to the public, but one of the partners that operate Creston Cabs, is happy to see there is action being taken against unlicensed drivers. “If we have to play by the rules, then we think (the unlicensed drivers) should have to play by the rules, too,” said Kevin Foley, adding that Creston
Cabs, with one taxi running in Trail, has drivers with proper Class 4 licenses, inspected vehicles and more. “I think it is important that the community know that this is killing the cab business. Like the last guy (who ran Champion Cabs), it could go belly up.” The letters were issued by the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure and is just the first step in stopping drivers without the right licensing from taking passengers to their destination for payment. If caught a second time, the unlicensed drivers could be facing fines of up to $1,500. “Cease and desist letters are a tool used to gain compliance,” wrote the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure in response to email questions. “Failure to
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comply with directions of a Peace Officer may result in an administrative fine of up to $1,500 for a passenger transportation licensee and violation tickets of $288 to licensees and non-licensees.” Although Foley is pleased to know the issue is recognized by enforcement agencies, he says he isn't sure how effective a letter can be in dissuading unlicensed drivers to stop transporting passengers for profit. “I think that the letters need to be taken with a grain of salt,” he said. “The cease and desist letters are very difficult to enforce. If one of these guys picks someone up, especially in a small town, then gets pulled over by the RCMP, it is difficult to catch unless they see the actual transaction. See COMPANY, Page 3
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