The regional district director for rural Kaslo wants to reassure business owners that a group working on a management plan for Kootenay Lake isn't trying to stop development.
"I just want people to understand they shouldn't be scared of Kootenay Lake Partnership if they're in business," Andy Shadrack says.
"I've heard rumours and I'm saying 'You've got it wrong folks.' This is a co-operative partnership between business, the environmental community and local politicians who are trying to make something work."
The Kootenay Lake Partnership has buy-in from four levels of government as well as First Nations and is developing a strategy to protect fishing, tourism and recreation values on the lake.
Shadrack said the partnership's roots go back to 2008 when he was approached by a real estate agent and marina owner about protecting shoreline habitat. Since then a number of businesses have become involved.
"People shouldn't see it as just an environmental thing. It's a way of trying to learn how do we live on the lake and enjoy it in such a way that there will be habitat left for future generations?"