Image Credit: CFJC Today

By Chad Klassen

LAKE ACCESS DISPUTE

Nicola Valley Fish & Game Club wins legal costs in battle over public lakes

Jul 5, 2019 | 10:07 AM

KAMLOOPS — The Nicola Valley Fish and Game Club scored another victory on Friday in court in the fight over public access to two lakes near Merritt.

Supreme Court Justice Joel Groves awarded the club with special cost to cover legal expenses. It’s put out about $350,000 during the course of the trial.

The club raised $160,000 on its own but still owes its lawyer Christopher Harvey close to $200,000. In his ruling, however, Groves didn’t indicate how much money has been awarded to the club.

“It would’ve been nice if he had just made a dollar value settlement and ended it,” said club member Rick McGowan. “But now, we’re going to go into a long process of negotiations, I’m sure, before anybody agrees to a dollar value.”

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Image Credit: CFJC Today / Chad Klassen

Groves ruled the club’s legal costs will be split evenly between the Douglas Lake Cattle Company and the B.C. government. Groves said the lack of action by the province in protecting the area around Minnie and Stoney Lakes forced litigation.

“I believe 50/50 is fair because they’re both guilty to a certain extent in having caused this court case,” noted McGowan. “The government allowed Douglas Lake to conduct illegal activities on highway roads, and Douglas Lake basically closed public roads for their own gain to gain control of public lakes.

The Nicola Valley Fish and Game Club have its sight set on the next battle. It’s in a fight with the Corbett Lake Lodge over public access there.

The club is waiting for evidence from the government before a trial date can be set.

The Douglas Lake Cattle Company declined to speak with CFJC Today about Friday’s ruling.