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Cooke Creek slide still under review

In November, a call was put for public tips to find those responsible for tampering with culverts at Dale Lake
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Cooke Creek went on the rampage after a culvert was tampered with at Dale Lake in 2014.

Little is being said about an investigation into a major slide and flood east of Enderby.

In November, the Ministry of Forests put out a call for public tips to find those responsible for tampering with culverts at Dale Lake, which led to a debris flood down Cooke Creek in May 2014.

“The ministry’s compliance and enforcement branch has received public tips, and that information will be shared with the lead investigator,” stated the ministry Wednesday.

“It would be inappropriate for the ministry to comment further at this time.”

The debris washed down the creek, roared into the Shuswap River and caused extensive damage to the Kingfisher Interpretive Centre. Mabel Lake Road was also wiped out, cutting off access to the Kingfisher community for a few days.

One theory is the culvert was tampered with to keep the level of Dale Lake high.

Anyone found guilty of causing environmental damage as a result of  tampering with culverts on Crown land may be subject to prosecution  under the Forest and Range Practices Act. They can be  ticketed $575 or fined up to $100,000 and one year in jail.

Residents with information about the Cooke Creek incident can call  1-844-676-8477 or go to www.for.gov.bc.ca/hen/nrv/report.htm. Reports can be anonymous.