Quarterly Update - December 2009
Meeting Highlights from this Quarter
- We have tracked down 11 copies of the out of print Living By Water and they are set aside for us to pickup
in Kelowna. These will be distributed to new lakeside lot owners along with our "membership package"
which contains information about our society, safe boating practices, lakeside living etiquette, etc.
- Paid members totaled 123 at the Oct. 29 meeting.
- Our bank balance is under $1,000, but there are only anticipated website registration costs and the Living
by Water books for known financial obligations currently.
- The Optimum Land Use project is with Barry Reid for completion. The executive have agreed that Barry should
meet with Canim Lake Band Chief Archie about our proposal and that our presentation should include a
"first nations" map.
- It is unclear among the executive to the extent that the use of Styrofoam for floating docks is considered a
pollutant. Barry is going to take this up with Roger Pakham of the Ministry of Environment in 100 Mile House
and bring information back to the membership of the Ministry's position on use of Styrofoam.
- The two eaglets survived the summer and left the lake in early fall. Six baby loons from the entire lake and
adjacent pond survived but of course, have migrated for the winter.
- Executive members each bought a custom-made vest that has our society's name embroidered on it for better
publicity of our group at public gatherings such as the OCP meetings many of us attended for Green Lake.
- We are looking into a reciprocating organization membership with the Friends of Bridge Lake Society so that
our groups stay closely linked as we have so many similar issues and goals.
- There has been some talk among area residents about the benefits of a community-owned defibulator for
emergencies, in addition to those owned by the Interlakes Volunteer Fire Department, one of which is located
at Lac des Roches but not accessible to the public. Barry Reid is going to look into the cost, availability,
training and other logistics of a machine and bring the information back to the executive.
- Marie prepared a draft Lake Stewardship pamphlet which is under review. The purpose of this pamphlet, and
the responsibility for its production will be revisited in the spring in light of Marie's leaving the area.
- Sharron suggested we reconsider our decision to discontinue our paper-based annual newsletter in order to
get key messages out to residents and their guests during the summer. Our on-line newsletter didn't generate
any feedback as in previous years and it may be that residents are not visiting our website. We will discuss
options in the new year.
- We learned that some reserves in the province are not perpetual but have a limited life span unless they are
renewed. Sharron is charged with investigating the status of the LdR reserves.
- Although the regional boundary line issues have not gone away, Barry has suggested that we keep this item on
the back burner for now, until we see how the regional districts react to our OCP proposal – which we hope to
submit in 2010.
- Certain members of the executive pledged their own support of additional speed restriction signage on the
little lake last summer. Gordon will find out how much money is owed to the resort owner and bring this back
to those who committed personal funds.
- The "dead slow" signs in the channel have faded. Sharron will revitalize them with a bright red
enamel paint once they can be accessed from the ice.
Around the Lakes ...
- The annual Christmas Bird Count held on December 19, hosted by Wendy Marshall, resulted in a record number
of species being identified in the Bridge Lake area. Wendy plans to schedule next year’s count in January to
accommodate more birding enthusiasts who would like to attend.
- There is a marked decrease in sightings of wildlife this fall and winter compared to previous years. Deer,
fox, coyote, otters, two wolves, a beaver and a moose have been glimpsed around the lake, but none are as
abundant as they were last year. Speculation as to the cause is a popular topic of discussion among the
residents.
- The development around nearby Muddy Lake – at the headwaters of Lac des Roches - has been ongoing since the
summer. This rural subdivision is now blocked from public access by a locked gate at the new Highway 24
access, just west of Gerald Crescent.
- The drone of active logging equipment is steady, night and day beyond the hills to the south of the lake.
Fully loaded logging trucks are abundant on Highway 24, presumably salvaging and hauling as much of the
beetle-killed trees they can before the logs become too checked for the local mills to process. Luckily, there
is still a view of green trees, mostly spruce, on the crown land that most of us view to the south, across the
lake. This is not the case for many of the hills that surround us, particularly in some of the valleys to the
north and east of Lac des Roches where the entire mountain side is now covered with pine trees at various
stages of the death brought on by the beetles.
- Continuous requests finally resulted in BC Hydro overseeing the removal of dangerous beetle killed trees on
Gerald Crescent that were a potential threat to power and telephone lines. The look of the street has
certainly changed with the removal of so many trees, but the residents are much more at ease, especially when
we seem to be inundated with more and more wind storms as global weather patterns change.
Other Stuff ...
- Little Lac des Roches iced over in November and the big lake had ice on in early December. The ice is
supporting sleds although there are several damp spots where a sled and even a walker, will bog down in the
slush on top of the ice. The low water levels we saw from the dry summer and fall mean that some of the
underwater springs may keep the ice open as the warmer spring water is closer to the surface than it normally
is. Evidence of this phenomena has been witnessed by the new access points used by the otters, where there has
not typically been open water in the past. All lake ice users should exercise great care when venturing out on
the ice.
- The Olympic Torch will pass by the lake in a vehicle convoy and without fanfare on January 28 as it moves
from Clearwater to Lone Butte, however there will be a small relay run through Lone Butte and the community
has a celebration planned to mark this historic occasion. School buses will take all of the students from the
surrounding schools to the mid-day event in Lone Butte and the public is encouraged to come out and join in
the fun, enjoy free refreshments and show some community spirit for the many impressionable children who will
be there.
- Several recent medical emergency calls to residences in the area serve as reminders that the 911 dispatch
service works well if called immediately. First responders who live in the area will be contacted by the 911
operator and will respond if they are available. They may be called directly by residents, AFTER placing the
all-important call to 911 which sets the proper emergency procedures in motion.
- We have been spared this winter so far from any significant power outages, despite several wind storms that
have blown through the area. One particular power outage in November was isolated to Boultbee Road due to
several trees that blew down at the very end of the road. It is extremely important for residents – especially
those of us living so close to the "end of the line" to report a power outage. If we don't tell BC
Hydro about the outage, a repair crew may not be dispatched in a timely manner. Residents should call
1-888-769-3766 to report all power outages.
- Happy New Year wishes to all our members and friends of the lakes. We hope you all enjoy a safe and
fun-filled year at this little piece of paradise in the South Cariboo we are lucky to call our home!
Next meeting Feb. 11, 4:00 p.m. @ Reid's