Thanks, Mel.
This is a critically important concern for the Shuswap Watershed Council and the residents of this area. This is one of the last pristine interior lake aquatic systems in the country. It's known as a sensitive receiving environment. If we ever were to receive an infestation of AIS of any sort, the invaders would just overwhelm our salmon hatchery here. That's certainly a major concern from the standpoint of a number of parameters. Because of the world-famous Adams River salmon run that occurs here, millions and millions of salmon are reared in our lakes.
This is a primary concern, but it's not just that. It's also the fact that tens of thousands of people draw their drinking water from this watershed. It's a primary economic driver for our area. We're well known as a primary recreational area, as a very attractive place to enjoy vacations.
The consequences here just can't be overstated. They could be devastating.