Two local logging companies in Clearwater have offered to do a temporary fix for free of a road in Wells Gray Park.
A 400-metre section of Clearwater River Road was washed out on July 2 after heavy rainfall, cutting off access for whitewater rafting, kayaking, fly-fishing and camping.
Clearwater mayor Merlin Blackwell had doubted that the road would be fixed this summer.
But he says Dale Miller Logging and Wadlegger Logging have come forward with an amazing offer to a temporary repair and salvage part of the summer tourist season.
“The piece that’s missing is, can we get government out of its silos to move forward on this in a timely fashion? It’s a fish-bearing river, there are considerations with that and water levels and that sort of thing. But in a time of COVID we’ve seen so many government silos broken apart. Let’s hope they can do it on this one too,” Blackwell says.
“I do know that at least one of these contractors went up with one of the raft guys and perhaps one of the Ministry of Forests, FLNRO, employees, and had a look at the area. These companies are very experienced at building roads in difficult places. I think the opportunity is here, and the generosity is definitely here on behalf of these two companies.”
The washout happened after heavy rainfall and is blocking about 20 kilometres of the road, on the west side of the Clearwater River.
Apart from recreational activities within the provincial park boundaries, Blackwell says there are a couple of private properties where access is now cut off.
He says a long-term fix from the provincial government would likely cost several-hundred-thousand dollars.
“I think what (the local logging companies) are offering here, is they see a temporary way to get things operational for the 2020 season and to help people out here,” Blackwell says.
“But I still think it’s a generous offer. In time and equipment and staff, it’s probably well in excess of $100,000 dollars… It’s an amazing thing.”
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