Full Steam Ahead for Spanish River Buoyage System!
The Friends of the Spanish River Lower Spanish River Private Buoyage/Public Dockage System proposal feasibility study, produced by Direction Services, was unanimously endorsed by the five partners that commissioned the six-month study.
The Township of Shedden, the Township of Sables-Spanish Rivers, Sagamok Anishnawbek First Nation, the Town of Espanola and the Friends of the Spanish River, the lead agency and originator of the idea awarded the FedNor-sponsored study to Direction Services of Massey, Ontario last fall 2001. Marcel Golec, Chairman of the Friends of the Spanish River stated,
AAs the environmental watchdogs of the Spanish River, we began to see development along the river. We felt that we should take an active part by trying to guide economic development along the Spanish River in an environmentally friendly manner such as eco-tourism.Direction Services worked closely with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canadian Coast Guard to prove the feasibility of the idea.
ABoats up to 40 feet long that draw up to 4 feet can safely navigate the entire 52 kilometers of the Lower Spanish River once a buoyage system has been properly installed@ exclaimed Mike Phillips of the Canadian Coast Guard.The Ontario Ministry of the Environment and the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources were also very helpful and supportive of any development along the river that respects the environment and educates the public to the importance and natural beauty of the Spanish River.
Bill McKenna of Direction Services, the author of the study, explained,
AEach partner brings a distinctive flavour to the overall concept of carefully planned Lower Spanish River development. Espanola is considering a floating stage, Massey a complete marina, Sagamok is already developing AIndian Head Park= and Spanish has its 5 million dollar marina already completed!A
The Lower Spanish River Private Buoyage/Public Dockage System, when installed will in fact be a >service= made possible by the combined efforts of all five partners. This Lower Spanish River >highway= will be the conduit that fosters responsible development along the entire Lower Spanish River@, Bill McKenna concluded.The next step is an economic impact report that will be produced by all five partners working together to showcase the magnificent Spanish River!