The federal government has issued a temporary order banning non-essential boat travel in flood-stricken parts of B.C.
The order issued by Transport Canada impacts the Fraser River between Mission and Yale, the Sumas Prairie, the Fraser River north of Lytton, parts of the Similkameen, Tulameen and Nicola Rivers and in Merritt.
Watercraft are now banned from those areas with the exception of government, emergency and military vessels and those who are accessing their own private property not accessible by road.
The government and emergency crews can authorize operators in flood response and recovery.
It’s not clear if any volunteers from the Fraser River Angling Guides Association will be given clearance to continue shuttling supplies and making rescues.
The group told the CBC Friday they were worried they will be sidelined and are urging the government to declare them essential.
The full order can be found online.
Transport Canada has also already restricted the airspace above the Sumas Prairie.
