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Summerland resident, and PWPA member Charles Parkhurst is vocal about the damage to the water supply caused by free range cattle. There are numerous problems with free-range cattle – from increased e-coli and nitrogen in drinking water caused by cow feces and urine; stream erosion and sedimentation caused by cattle drinking from the creeks; denudation of the forest under-story vegetation; and barbed wire fences in the environment are a hazard to wildlife and recreational users of the land. Cattle ranging is also a problem in Peachland\’s watershed, and across the Okanagan.
But these impacts are not the responsibility of the rancher to address. It comes down to the individuals in the affected communities. \”Stewardship\” grants (aka taxpayer\’s money) is available for studies and demonstration projects. Read his letter to the editor.