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Harbour authority meeting coming up in Masset

A public meeting is coming up in Masset in the next few weeks encourage community participation in getting the village's harbour authority going again.Two months have passed since the Delkatla Slough Harbour Authority Society's last members resigned and there is still no harbour authority in Masset. "Small Craft Harbours wants to come up and do a presentation. We're trying to confirm a date," said Masset Mayor Andrew Merilees.Both Mr. Merilees and Robin Richardson, regional manager of client services for Small Craft Harbours, said they are hoping to meet by the end of the month.The public presentation will outline what the DFO branch does and its interest in having community participation at the harbour, Mr. Richardson said.Harbour authorities are generally non-profit organizations that manage the day to day operations of the harbour."We're looking for volunteers to participate with the harbour authority to continue the arrangement we've had for the past 20 years. We're trying to be inclusive, perhaps having the village of Masset be a part of it, perhaps the Old Massett band, and other users" he said.The Village of Masset has some interest in taking on the harbour authority role, but needs to conduct a study to ensure it would be a viable and positive asset, said Mr. Merilees. About 100 harbours in BC fall into Mr. Richardson's district, which is why local participation is so important, he said."A local harbour authority can respond to the particular needs of the community," he said.