The announcement, on December 22, that camping is suspended until further notice at Jordan River Regional Park, the Capital Regional District (CRD) has Juan de Fuca Regional Director Mike Hicks concerned for the people in the small hamlet.
“Really, BC Hydro has sterlized the Jordan River Park we purchased.”
He said the park was a vibrant camping spot and it was the future.
“No matter what happens now, the CRD could never allow camping there as the dam could break.”
Hicks thinks BC Hydro should buy the park and the whole area for day-use.
“They can run the damn thing,” he said.
He also feels the residents at Jordan River should be allowed to stay in their homes as long as they wish to.
“Anything else would be so sad,” stated Hicks.
The decision comes following the BC Hydro seismic study released on December 5, which identified potential hazards from the Jordan River Diversion dam in the event of a major earthquake.
BC Hydro has declared its interest in working with the Capital Regional District to gain support to prohibit overnight camping on land owned by the CRD within the inundation zone. A large scale earthquake could result in an inundation of the area due to an uncontrolled release of upstream reservoir water. The Jordan River campground is located 10km southwest of the dam.
The CRD regrets the impact on parks campers and is reviewing the information provided by BC Hydro to better understand the danger posed to the park. Day use areas of the park remain open to the public.
The park was established in 2010, when the CRD acquired 180 hectares of land at Jordan River from Western Forest Products for $9.9 million. CRD Regional Parks manages the park, which includes a year-round self-contained campground. The CRD has spent $107,000 on park improvements since purchasing the land, including campground upgrades, trail building and parking lot development.
“It’s the end of Jordan River,” said Hicks.
For updates visit: www.crd.bc.ca/parks or call: 250-478-3344.