Over the coming weeks, the Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) will be rolling out a new tagging system for mooring buoys on Lake Windermere.

The RDEK has maintained an informal inventory for private mooring buoys on Lake Windermere since 2013 when water zoning was implemented through the Lake Windermere Management Plan and subsequent updates were made to the Columbia Valley Zoning Bylaw.

“Leading up to the summer months, we receive numerous inquiries regarding the placing of buoys, which buoys are allowed to be on the lake, how many are allowed to be there and where they are allowed to be,” explained Michele Bates, RDEK General Manager of Development and Protective Services.

“To help provide clear, visual clarity regarding whether buoys are compliant with Transport Canada and RDEK zoning regulations, we are introducing a new three-tiered marking system.”

Under the new system, buoys located within the area of the lake where water zoning has been adopted will be tagged as follows:

• Green Tag – This buoy conforms with the regulation and is compliant.
• Blue Tag – This buoy is non-conforming but considered to be grandfathered and must be placed/removed on an annual basis. If use is discontinued for a year, any future use must comply with the regulations.
• Red Tag – This buoy may have been placed contrary to the Zoning Bylaw and Transport Canada Regulations. These buoys may be subject to removal if the owners do not contact the RDEK to confirm eligibility.

“While voluntary registration of buoys has been ongoing since 2013, we are now stepping up efforts to ensure all buoys comply with the regulations and zoning, are registered and properly placed,” added Bates.

“Our goal is to provide owners with the opportunity to bring their buoys into compliance with Transport Canada’s Private Buoy Regulations and the Columbia Valley Zoning Bylaw prior to the implementation of the new tagging system following the long weekend in August.”

Buoys must be clearly marked with the owner’s name, address, phone number and “PRV.” Anyone who has placed a buoy that has not been registered should contact Kim O’Farrell at the RDEK’s Columbia Valley Office to register.

Residents and property owners can learn more about the Transport Canada Regulations, view copies of the Columbia Valley Zoning Bylaw and Lake Windermere Management Plan and see samples of the new tagging system online at engage.rdek.bc.ca/buoy or by contacting the RDEK.

The RDEK will begin tagging mooring buoys on the zoned portion of Lake Windermere in early August.

Based on the outcomes of this initial effort—and considering staff capacity and available resources— a similar approach may be considered for Columbia Lake in the future.

e-KNOW file photo

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