The story behind the rock.
The rock has always been there. But the harbour grew to encompass the rock.
I was on the select city committee to improve Powell River's waterfront.
We had just had a referendum approved for funding and finalized plans for the reconfiguration and new floats for the North Harbour. Had architectural drawings for the Wharfingers office, got the infill legal ownership transferred, made arrangements for sewage treatment lines with BC ferries, removed the oil lines on the pier, got funding for the gazebo and railing for the pier.
Out of the blue, it was suggested that if we applied for Federal funding for south harbour improvements, they would be granted and matched with provincial funding. But we had to do it quickly. So we did.
We had to move Wharfingers office, complete the trail, get fisheries to approve the larger harbor, design a seagrass habitat compensation marsh, get new docks built, and dump rock to build the breakwater extension, all prior to the herring spawn closure.
It was an epic achievement as it involved Federal, Provincial, City funding and environmental approvals, which are known to be glacial in progress. We had the breakwater extension done in less than 6 months.
When the contractor couldn't get the rock moved, and blasting wasn't an option (I recall we were on a permit extension for herring spawn) the decision was made to keep the rock and add a lateral mark.
Back then, we had a lot of people in town against the development then as it was only going to "benefit rich people".
With today's new group of global warming hand-wringers over increased sea level in the future, no politician in BC or Trudeau's government is going to stick their neck out to approve or remove a rock in our harbour.
And really, single screw, deep draft fishboats don't have much issue with it. And they have to get to the crane to unload.
So, yeah, this is an excuse, but we ran out of time, money, permit to deal with it properly. So it became a comprimise. It is a bit of a pain at low tide admittedly.
And it does sort out the boaters that have no idea of what it means, which can make listening in on 66a entertaining...
Quote:
Originally Posted by Alaskan Sea-Duction
Welcome Steve. Keep us updated with your refit projects. We like lots of pics!
BTW have they removed the big rock in the middle of the channel at the Powell River Marina?
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