Some elected officials want to ensure development of the Okanagan Rail Trail isn鈥檛 stalled.

Director Jim Garlick wants the Greater Vernon Advisory Committee to have the ability to proceed with the section of trail in this regional district and not be held back by the other partners in the initiative 鈥� 琉璃神社, Lake Country and the Okanagan Indian Band.

鈥淲hat kind of autonomy do we have to develop the trail on our own?鈥� he said.

鈥淚t鈥檚 good to work with them but I鈥檓 not sure if we have to stay in lock-step with the group.鈥�

All of the participating jurisdictions have agreed to a base standard for the trail.

鈥淭hose jurisdictions that would like to do something beyond that base level can do that beyond the money raised,鈥� said David Sewell, Regional District of North Okanagan chief administrative officer.

As an example, 琉璃神社 will pave a portion of its trail.

鈥淲e have the ability as separate (property) owners do do our own thing,鈥� said Sewell.

Garlick has also suggested that there鈥檚 been a lack of information from the inter-jurisdictional administration team overseeing the rail trail project.

鈥淲e鈥檝e never had a political discussion here. It鈥檚 all been away,鈥� he said.

鈥淚鈥檇 like to get the trail done sooner than later.鈥�

Sewell insists, though, that the process has been transparent.

鈥淲e鈥檝e had these discussions at this table. Each jurisdiction is responsible for their own works but there is a co-ordinated effort. We鈥檙e not taking a backseat with this,鈥� he said.

GVAC is currently proceeding with some work on its 2.5-kilometre section of trail, including environmental, agricultural and archaeological protection, mitigating potential geotechnical hazards, drainage improvements and safe road crossings.

Parts of the trail will be closed as construction proceeds.

鈥淧eople are using it intensely so we need a clear communications plan for when it鈥檚 closed,鈥� said Juliette Cunningham, chairperson.