Skip to content

Duck Lake leopard frog closure

These biologists need to look at more than just the leopard frog.
10655532_web1_180222-CVA-Mike-Colonel_1

Letter to the Editor,

I have lived in the Creston Valley for most of my life. I think that everyone who lives in Creston knows how lucky we are to live in such a beautiful Valley.

I recently received an email from a friend on the Duck Lake closure coming, due to the spotted leopard frog. What a disappointment for so many. This recreational area is used by young and old, local residents and people throughout the Kootenays and Canada and other countries.

It brings tourist revenue into our valley and gives everyone an opportunity to enjoy hunting, trophy fishing, hiking and probably some of the best bird watching you will ever find. My father Cyril Colonel has assisted in bird counts in our Valley for years. No funding for this- he does it on his own time, keeping track of osprey, eagle and owl nesting and heron rookeries and other birds in our valley. Most of this done through the Duck Lake access. I’ve been to Duck Lake with him for years and seen the enjoyment that he and so many others have, enjoying this recreational area. I don’t think these biologists have any idea how this closure will affect the local residents and all the visitors that come to enjoy our valley. These biologists need to look at more than just the leopard frog. They need to look at how this recreational area is being maintained. The noxious weeds are out of control which is a huge issue. It seems there is

always money for biologists to do studies but no money to maintain roads or weed control problems. I’m hoping these biologists will take another look at this closure and come up with a better plan so we can all continue to enjoy this recreational area throughout the year.

Maybe starting with some community input would be a place to start.

Mike Colonel, Creston

Ed. note: According to the most recent CVWMA newsletter:

“The Northern Leopard Frog Recovery Team (NLFRT) has submitted a proposal for a legal regulation change under the Wildlife Act to institute a seasonal motorized use closure at Duck Lake during the spring (March 15-April 30) and fall (August 15-October 15) migration period of the Northern Leopard Frog.

The NLFRT is concerned with road mortality rates of the Northern Leopard Frogs as they cross the dike at Duck Lake. They have enacted voluntary road closures over the past few years but their research indicates that these closures have been ineffective at reducing mortality rates by vehicle.”