Fishers, Outfitters Hurt By Bad Road
Friday, June 23, 2006 at 14:53
The poor condition of the only highway into Cumberland House is affecting the local commercial fishing and outfitting industries.
Area resident John Carriere has a stake in both industries, and says the almost-impassible road conditions have prevented local fishers from transporting their fish to the south for delivery.
As a result, the commercial fishery in the area has ground to a halt until road conditions improve.
Carriere and his family are also outfitters that cater to the tourist industry, and he says the poor road conditions are a major deterrent to people that want to travel to Cumberland House.
Even if some tourists make it in and out of the Cumberland delta, he says they will certainly not want to return — especially if they have vehicle breakdowns caused directly by the poor road conditions.
The road into Cumberland House has become a quagmire because of heavy rain in the area and high water levels in the adjacent Saskatchewan River.