| 2006-01-11 Lake |
| By Diana Forster - 100 Mile House Free Press |
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| The Friends of Lac des Roches and Birch Lake came into existence in 2004 to fight a governmental body's suggestion of creating a huge development on their lakes, which include Montana Lake. The group worked extremely hard to advise the "powers that be" that such a scheme for this pristine area was not good. All along they've had the backing of the Cariboo Regional District (CRD), which had long previously designated these lakes as "fragile". |
| Eventually, Friends succeeded and the whole scheme was put "on hold", but there is still potential for some sort of go-ahead as one side of the lakes are in the Thompson Nicola Regional District (TNRD). For that reason, there is movement afoot to have the regional district boundary moved so that the entire lakes area falls within the CRD. |
| The group meets every last Wednesday evening of the month at Bridge Lake Elementary School. For more details call Bill Jollymore at 593-9305. |
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| 2005-12-21 Lake development idea shelved |
| By Kathy Michaels, Free Press staff - 100 Mile House Free Press |
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| Residents from the Lac des Roches area can rest a little easier as their concerns are now being addressed by various levels of government. For the time being, plans to develop the area are on hold, and talks on boundary issues have begun. |
| The Ministry of Agriculture and Lands had slated the area for development of strata title, year-round residences and resorts at the east end of Lac des Roches. The plan didn't sit well with local homeowners concerned that the ecologically sensitive area couldn't sustain the level of infrastructure that the government had proposed. |
| To compound the issue, the lake straddles Cariboo Regional District (CRD) and Thompson Nicola Regional District (TNRD) boundaries. |
| The CRD deemed the lake as a sensitive watershed area that would not be ideal for development, whereas the TNRD's stance is contradictory as they have said their portion is prime for development, Sharron Woloshyn, secretary for the Friends of Lac des Roches and Birch Lake explained. |
| For now, the provincial government will not be moving forward with it's initial plan. |
| "There's nothing planned right now. Basically the project is on hold pending further review," Liz Bicknell, a ministry spokesperson said. "However the ministry has said it will honour a commitment that was made, and that is that if there is going to be any further consultation that participants will be given 30-days notice to any further rezoning meetings." |
| Bicknell suggested that the group meet with Cariboo South MLA Charlie Wyse to voice their concerns, which they did, and plan to again by next spring. He said he met with staff of Agriculture Minister Pat Bell, and the proposal is under review. |
| "It's not off the table. His staff are in the process of completing their information gathering," Wyse said. "From there Robin Levesque (who had been co-ordinating the project, will make his report to his group in the new year, and from there they will decide where to go with this particular proposal. |
| Wyse said he has been given assurances that should the proposals in whatever form proceed, all groups will be advised as to when and how. |
| The CRD has started the process of expanding its boundaries to encompass the entire area. |
| "The board will be sending a letter to the TNRD in response to an application received from residents of Lac des Roches," Shelley Burich, the CRD Communications manager, said. Next step for the CRD is assessing the feasibility of moving forward with a plan. |
| "Now, planning staff and two managers have to look at what is involved," said Maureen Pinkney, the CRD's Area L director. "Geographically they fit the CRD better than they fit Kamloops, but it's just at the beginning stages. Staff is looking at it so it can be a win-win situation, not a case of fix one thing and not another." |
| Friends of Lac des Roches formed in September 2004 as a voice opposing the proposed development. The society, with membership totaling 141, consists of local and seasonal residents, as well as supporters from the United States and England. The group has a Web site www.lacdesroches.org. |
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| 2005-11-02 Wyse tackles issues in the Leg |
| By Keri Langley - The 100 Mile House Advisor |
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| (Excerpt from article) |
| Cariboo-South MLA Charlie Wyse has brought up a number of issues he says are on the minds of his constituents in the South Cariboo. |
| One issue concerns a proposed development on the shores of Lac des Roches, off Hwy. 24. The housing development brought up concerns that not enough study of whether the area could sustain it had taken place. |
| "The Minister of Agriculture (Pat Bell) says the project is moving ahead, albeit slowly," Wyse said last week. "He's extended an offer to me as MLA to be involved in this project. I intend to do that. My staff are arranging a meeting with myself and area residents." |
| The development is a 225 lot subdivision. |
| "It raises all sorts of questions as to whether the lake can support this development," Wyse continued. He said he would keep his constituents apprised of a meeting date. |
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