Lac des Roches development “set aside”
By Sharron Woloshyn
The Friends of Lac des Roches and Birch Lake (Friends), a group of concerned lake users, is pleased to report that the provincial government has set aside the land development opportunity at the east end of Lac des Roches which would have resulted in the construction of more than 200 residences and a resort. The news came to the group as the result of a letter issued late in November by Marie Sturman, Manager, Crown Land Opportunities Branch of the Ministry of Agriculture and Lands. Chairman Barry Reid said that Friends presented a number of issues to various levels of government, and he would like to think that the news is as a result of the Friends being heard.
Friends formed a society to provide a united voice of opposition to the development proposal as it was presented to the public in July 2005. Particularly troubling to the society was that the Regional District Boundary runs through Lac des Roches, separating the lake into two jurisdictions, Cariboo and Thompson-Nicola. The result is different classifications and development strategies at either end of the lake, even though the water and aquatic life is naturally commingled. The boundary still remains an issue.
Friends had appealed to many levels of government with significant issues related to the size and density of the proposed development. Charlie Wyse, MLA South Cariboo raised concerns during question period and entered a 700-signature petition into the Legislature for the society. Maureen Pinkney, Area L Cariboo Regional Director has provided encouragement for the on-going initiatives and took the group's concerns to both the Cariboo Regional District (CRD) and the Thompson-Nicola Regional District (TNRD).
The society has transformed from an opposition society, initially, to a community-minded stewardship society, its mission to preserve the lake and the surrounding land for the enjoyment of all. The government's decision to not proceed with the land development at this time is all the more reason for the society to proceed with the work they began in 2007 on a land-use proposal. Friends hope their ideas will eventually be incorporated into Official Community Plans for the area, by both the CRD and the TNRD.