By James Peters

Workers prevented from accessing Mamit Lake dam by angry landowner

May 3, 2018 | 5:20 PM

MERRITT, B.C. — A dispute over access is preventing officials from doing necessary prevention work on the Mamit Lake dam.

Lower Nicola Indian Band Chief Aaron Sumexheltza says the band, in conjunction with the province and the Thompson-Nicola Regional District, needs to get to the dam north of Merritt in light of rapidly-rising lake levels.

But in order to do that, contractors need to pass through the property of local landowner Gordon Garthwaite.

“He’s informed us that, even though there is a Local State of Emergency, we’re not able to access the dam to do some quite urgent work that we think is really important in terms of prevention,” said Sumexheltza.

The chief says Garthwaite has blocked access to the dam for a number of months due to his views on biosolids.

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The LNIB was among a group who opposed the application of biosolids in 2015, leading to a moratorium.

“We’ve been informed that we would only be able to gain access to the dam if we bought rip-rap off the landowner, Gordon Garthwaite, and/or we allow biosolids in the local region,” said Sumexheltza. “We haven’t agreed to do either.”

The TNRD declared a Local State of Emergency Thursday due to rising water.

Sumexheltza conceded the various levels of government may seek a court injunction if they feel the work is urgent enough.

“It’s important work. We’re doing everything we can to get people there working and get the work done. We are already seeking legal advice and it’s our intention to get there as soon as possible, working with the province and the TNRD to do the necessary work on the dam.”

A message left with Garthwaite was not returned by deadline.