The Salmon River Delta will be one of the area’s historical sites considered for addition to Salmon Arm’s heritage registry.
At last Monday’s city council meeting, during a review of the May meeting of the Community Heritage Commission, Coun. Alan Harrison made note of a presentation and request by the organization WA:TER (Wetlands Alliance: The Ecological Response) to consider the Salmon River Delta as a heritage site, pending any determination of First Nations rights and title to the site. A letter was provided to the commission by WA:TER president, Dr. Warren Bell. In it, Bell notes the historical connection and cultural significance of the delta to First Nations, and how there are plans in place for developing the delta as a “major cultural and eco-tourism destination.”
“This can only take place if the delta is protected from all intrusive development,” says Bell.
Also noted in the letter is the delta’s ties to the settlement of Salmon Arm, the cross-Canada expansion of the railway, and the agricultural and ecological characteristics of the delta and the rare vegetation within.
“In summary, we believe it is critically important, for many reasons, that the delta of the Salmon River be listed now on the heritage register of the City of Salmon Arm, and we ask you to consider such a listing at your earliest convenience,” says Bell.
Harrison, who sits on the commission (though absent from the May meeting) said the commission would look at the letter from WA:TER, as it does all submissions from the public, when it moves on to phase three of the heritage commission, the focus of which will be rural and farm properties.