The unannounced filling in of the natural hot springs pools in Harrison has drawn the attention of the province.
The Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship has begun an investigation after natural pools of hot springs water – known locally as "Hobo Hot Springs" – were filled in with boulders in late October, reportedly the work of Harrison Hot Springs Resort and Spa staff.
The pools are considered a Crown resource, and making such significant changes to the hot springs would require the ministry's approval, which was not given.
The village requested and received a work permit from the ministry earlier in the year – not to fill in the free pools but to fix the boulders around them.
“We have confirmed that there are no new applications for work in this area. Ministry staff are currently investigating the incident,” said a statement from the ministry.
Grand Chief Chasta Willie Charlie (Cha'qua'wet) of the Sts'ailes First Nation said their people travelled from afar since time immemorial to bathe in the natural hot springs, which is believed to have medicinal properties. The Halq’emeylem name for the village is Qwólts, meaning "boiling water" or "medicine water."
There are two hot springs sources on the shores of Harrison Lake – Potash, which produces water up to 40C, and Sulphur, which can get as hot as 65C. The water from these sources has some of the highest concentration of minerals in the country. At one point, the water from the hot springs was bottled and sold for medicinal purposes.
The hot springs pools themselves were partially the by-product of a leak in the pipe from the building surrounding at hot springs source. Someone constructed pools that attracted both tourists and locals alike to enjoy the natural resource free of charge.
Resort management told Harrison Hot Springs Mayor Fred Talen the reasons the pool was filled in was because they posed a potential health and safety hazard and there were concerns surrounding the materials used to build the pools. Additionally, the pools were situated near village building used to collect spring water, and although the village played no part in filling in the pools, officials want to ensure any pools are being used safely.
A meeting between resort management and village officials saw potential, mutually beneficial suggestions to provide enhanced public access to the waters of the hot springs. Any concrete solutions to the issue, though, would be the decision of The Aldesta Group, a Vancouver-based company and the owners of the resort. Resort management and representatives from The Aldesta Group have not responded to The Observer's request for comment.
A Change.org petition, spearheaded by self-described "amateur naturalist" Nico Soebagio-Pawlowski, has garnered more than 2,600 signatures, calling for the restoration of the natural pools. Soebagio-Pawlowski also organized a rally on Wednesday (Nov. 13) to promote awareness of the natural hot springs and make their concerns known to resort owners and management. The rally took place at Qwólts Park near resort property.
– With files from The Canadian Press
