Quarterly Update - July 2010
Meeting Highlights from this Quarter
- Muddy Lake Development impacts: The subdivision at the headwaters of Lac des Roches is expanding with all the available land being turned into strata-titled residential lots. The fenced piece of waterfront land on Little Lac des Roches that is defined as common property for the 53 strata-title lot owners, is a concern to many residents in the area. Added boat traffic on the little lake and through the shallow channel to access the big lake is expected to have a negative impact on the environment, waterfowl and wildlife in the area. The society was disappointed to learn there is no public consultation or hearing process for the use of common property, such as this waterfront land, unless it involves re-zoning. The anticipated upcoming public hearing on the rezoning of the last 11 lots does not include the Little Lac des Roches waterfront land. Its ownership and use is a “done deal”. Residents are encouraged to attend the hearing (yet to be scheduled) to be informed of the developer’s plans.
- Public Access - Boat Lauch #7: Sanitary concerns and pressure on the shallow channel prompted the society to request improvements to the boat launch and public access at the west end of Lac des Roches. Communication with the Ministry of Highways revealed that there have been concerns raised recently by users of Lac des Roches from several other communities. In particular, residents from Clearwater have requested improvements or an alternative boat launch with full sanitary facilities. One possibility raised was the development of the land reserve (ULEP) north of Eagle Island into a Provincial Park. Neither the Highways nor Parks officials have expressed any interest in spending money on public accesses at Lac des Roches. Under the “Adopt a Highway” program, the society could be granted permission to place a portable outhouse on the access, but the cost to the society of ongoing maintenance and liability insurance far exceeds our financial capabilities. Highways could install and maintain a bear proof garbage receptacle but area residents are concerned that this would encourage garbage dumping. Several McCarthy subdivision residents have voiced concern about the society encouraging increased use of Access #7 since there have been issues with camping, partying and garbage in the past. Further action by the society is suspended at this time.
- Annual General Meeting: Our AGM is on Wednesday, August 25 at 7 pm at the Bridge Lake School. There are Executive positions up for election and the society's Optimum Land Use Plan and Community Care Plan will be presented along with other miscellaneous agenda items. We hope to see some members there this year!
- Annual Community Newsletter: The annual newsletter was reduced in size to make production and distribution to all residences around the lakes financially viable. The goal is to increase awareness of the Society and its work as well as reminding residents and lake users how we feel their membership to the Society will benefit them. This is the only document that we deliver “door-to-door”. Any residents not wishing to have the newsletter delivered to their cabin/lot/home can advise any executive member and our distribution list will be altered accordingly for future publications. The newsletter is published on our website.
- Land Use Plan: After hundreds of hours of research, writing and mapping, executive members have completed documenting the society’s ideas for the optimum use of the land in the Lac des Roches area. Since many community issues have been raised during the process which are not directly related to land use, the report will include both Land Use and Community Care ideas for distribution to several governing bodies of the area in both the Cariboo and Thompson-Nicola Regions. It is hoped that our suggestions for the area will be incorporated in some immediate solutions to “burning issues” and be considered for the next update to the Interlakes Official Community Plan or prompt the consideration of a joint OCP for Lac des Roches (Cariboo and Thompson-Nicola Regions), similar to the “flagship” join OCP that has been done for Green Lake and Watch Lake.
- Lake health check: The BC Lake Stewardship Society, in partnership with the Water Stewardship Branch of the Ministry of Environment has completed the report on Lac des Roches. The report incorporates data supplied from our Society's water monitoring activity as well as extensive testing conducted by the Ministry for the last 3 years. The report will be linked from our website. Conclusions drawn from the report indicate that Lac des Roches is relatively healthy but needs to be cared for. The Ministry will revisit higher level testing in a few years.
- Speed reduction on Little Lac des Roches: Reducing the boating speed from 20 km/hr to 10 km/hr is still actively being pursued. Most residents seem to be in favour of this path, including the Resort owner, to protect the environment and personal property and improve safety on the lake.
- Insurance coverage and cost: The society is looking into availability and cost of liability insurance in order to be able to partake in the “adopt a highway” program and “director’s insurance” to protect executive members from personal liability when acting on behalf of the society. Initial investigation suggests that the cost would be prohibitive with our current source of revenue from membership dues and donations. Funding from community grants may be a possibility but requires further investigation and commitment from members.
- Membership renewal: Memberships continue to trickle in for the current year. Several members, in particular seasonal owners, have generously donated extra funds to keep our society financially viable. Thank you!
- Birch Lake road: The bridge on the access road into Birch Lake is being replaced by the residents of Birch Lake this summer. While there continues to be an issue of road ownership and maintenance, the residents banded together to replace the small wooden bridge for safety reasons.
Around the Lakes ...
- Creel Reports and Fishing: Once again, Gordon Marshall has asked avid fishers around the lake to complete creel reports of their fishing results from Lac des Roches. The Ministry of Environment uses these reports to analyze the success of stocking programs.
- Lake monitoring and Loon surveys: Lake water quality testing is underway on all four lakes. Thanks to Barry Reid and Lois Motz for taking on the task at Little Lac des Roches, lake water quality testing is underway on all four lakes; LdR, Little LdR, Birch Lake and Phinetta Lake.
- Gunfire and shooting: Target shooting, vermin eradication and goose deterring are the most likely reasons for the rash of gunshots heard around the neighbourhood this spring and summer. Authorities have responded to public safety complaints of shooting outside the legal limits of shooting, near buildings. The 100 meter restriction is inadequate if care is not exercised when using firearms near public roads or populated areas. Please be careful and considerate of others if using firearms around the lake. Several close calls this summer could have ended in disaster.
- Road maintenance: Timing of this year's grading and dust control (spraying of magnesium chloride) was perfect and has proven to be quite effective in controlling road dust. In previous years, unexpected rain immediately following the spraying seemed to dilute the mixture and render it relatively ineffective. Queries to the BC Lake Stewardship Society confirmed that this chemical mixture is not an environmental concern.
Other Stuff ...
- Birding excursions: Wendy Marshall has been leading the Bridge Lake Naturalists Club on Monday morning birding excursions throughout the South Cariboo. Non members and new comers are made very welcome and may find this opportunity ideal to experience bird watching in the area.
- Postal changes: A change in the rural postal service has many area residents moving their mailing addresses between Bridge Lake and Lone Butte. Lac des Roches addresses are now "officially" included in the Bridge Lake Post Office box service located at the Bridge Lake Store although exceptions are allowed for those who wish to maintain a rural route box out of Lone Butte. Physical addresses are now cross-referenced to box numbers for all rural route destinations.
- Recycling refundables: Residents are reminded that if they are willing to donate their refundable beverage containers to charity, this can only be ensured it containers are placed in the blue community recycling box at Bridge Lake Store (or at several other red and blue bins located along Highway 24). Often, bottles and can left at the dump or transfer stations will simply be thrown into the garbage by a well-meaning user or the container driver. The Knights of Columbus collect the refundables regularly and contribute funds into several community health needs in the 100 Mile House area.
- Burning bans: Thank you to all area users who have respected the bans on fire size and then the full burning ban currently in place. Although the applicability of the bans seemed a little unclear to some residents, reports of residents reminding residents have resulted in, what appears to be, 100% compliance.
- Green Lake/Watch Lake OCP presentation: This extensive land use plan is nearing completion and draft number 5 will be available for review at an afternoon open house, followed by a presentation at 6:30 pm in 70 Mile House at the SMAC on Wednesday, August 11. Evidence that the ideas and concerns raised by area residents is contained throughout the plan proving that public consultation can work. Congratulations to the residents of Green and Watch Lakes for getting actively involved in community issues.
- Bridge Lake speakers series: Our neighbours are hosting several presentation throughout the summer on selected Thursday nights at 7 pm at the Bridge Lake School. Beetle kill trees are scheduled for Aug. 12 and Bridge Lake Public Access is planned for Aug. 19. There is no cost and the presentations last about one hour.
- Cow Parsnip versus Giant Cow Parsnip: A search through the Internet has confirmed that the abundant plant growing around the lake “Cow Parsnip” is a non toxic and non-invasive version of the “Giant Cow Parsnip” or “Giant Hogweed” that has been on the news lately and is highly toxic to humans if handled. Although it seems to take over the forest wherever it grows, it is not considered harmful to the environment or to humans.
- Fine flies: Congratulations to Bill Jollymore for his impressive collection of hand-tied flies which were showcased at the Cariboo Regional District Library's community showcase wall during the month of May.
- Be informed: Once again we would like to urge residents in our area to get on the e-mail distribution list to receive Bruce Rattray's regular newsletter updates for the area. Bruce, the elected Director for Area L of the Cariboo Regional District, includes community notices, provincial messages and regional news approximately every two weeks. His messages often provide links to websites providing pertinent information such as wildfire updates and public hearing announcements. Bruce can be contacted through his website, www.brucerattray.ca or by phone 250-593-9359.
Next Meeting on August 23, then the AGM on August 25, 2010 7 pm at Bridge Lake School