Member's Regular Update - October 2011

Meeting Highlights

The Annual General Meeting was held on Wednesday, October 12, at the Lac des Roches Resort. Present were all but two executive members and four paid members. Those present agreed that the date of the AGM should be moved from August to just after Thanksgiving every year - after the summer holiday season. Next year’s AGM is scheduled for October 8, 2012, location to be determined.
The initiative to reduce the boating speed on Little Lac des Roches from 20 to 10 km/hr is still in progress. We have been asked by Bruce Rattray, CRD Area L Director, to ensure the recipients of our next newsletter are clear that the Cariboo Regional District is acting as a required facilitator for the process and does not necessarily support the speed reduction. This stems from public feedback from residents aware of the petition, but not in agreement with it. The petition, which supports the reduction, is in circulation among the executive for signatures and Bill Jollymore is the contact at 250-593-9305. Since the initiative has created some animosity, Barry Reid has asked the members to reconsider the value of pursuing this. Considerable reduction of speeding infractions are noticeable, particularly with all the steps Laura and Luca Lanzoni have taken to inform their guests of the issues, reducing their boat engine size and installing lake signage. Laura has been promised the help she needs from Wendy and Lori on developing a pamphlet for her guests that explains the negative impact on wildlife and personal property caused by speeding on the lake. Barry suggests that Bill proceed with his work in collecting signatures and documentation of regulation infractions, but the group will reassess the validity of the initiative in January.
Lois Motz has volunteered to be the email recipient for our website, contactus@lacdesroches.org. For the most part, these are business spam messages but we do receive the occasional request from members and the public. Sharron will continue to update the content of the website through our volunteer webmaster and paid service provider.
Dave Woods presented the Financial Statements for the year ending July 31, 2011. Revenues were $360. Expenses were $427.80 for a reduction in Member’s Equity of $67.80. Assets total $1,086.10, all cash or cash equivalent. All members are entitled to a copy of the statements if they wish to see them, so please contact us if you would like a copy sent or mailed or if you have any questions.
Wendy Marshall reported that only two loon chicks apparently survived this year on all of Lac des Roches. She still has data to review for Birch and Phinetta Lakes. The one Eaglet from the big lake had not been sighted recently but was active all summer once it finally ventured from its nest. Other members mentioned sightings of fox, otters, beaver, deer, bear and the newest family to the area, the badgers on Boultbee Road.
Membership renewals are trickling in. The approximate number of members is 75 although it will likely increase. Wendy may follow-up with some members who have not renewed in case it was simply an oversight on their part. Many members have provided generous cash donations, in addition to their $10 membership fee, which is greatly appreciated. All funds are used for the society to maintain membership to the BC Lake Stewardship Society, maintain our website, produce our annual newsletter and continue with other initiatives as they arise.
Elections were required for some positions as they have a two year term, with staggered dates. The media co-chair position was eliminated. The executive election results from the meeting (term Oct. 2011 - Sep. 2013):
Co-Chair - Loraine Jollymore
Membership - Gordon Marshall
Directors at Large - Lois Motz, Bev Woods, Ralph Watson, Al Wallewein, Marie Wallewein

For the record, the following positions will be up for re-election at the AGM in 2012:

Chairman, Barry Reid
Media, Bill Jollymore
Wildlife & Stewardship, Wendy Marshall
Website/Publicity - Sharron Woloshyn
Secretary, Sharron Woloshyn
Treasurer, Dave Woods
Director at Large, Heidi Ruegg
After adjournment, Luca spoke to the group about poor fishing success reported from several resort lakes along the Fishing Highway (Highway 24) and his request to fisheries to increase stocking numbers.

Around the Lakes ...

Garbage The closure of the transfer bins at Opax has taken some getting used to, particularly for those seasonal residents who used the bins when heading home after their stay at the lake. Our closest CRD landfill site is the Sheridan Lake site which is a few kilometers north of the Interlakes Business Center heading towards Horse Lake and it is currently open 24 hours, 7 days a week. There is limited recycling in 100 Mile House at the Gold Trail Recycle Center and there are red and blue community recycle bins for refundable beverage containers at Bridge Lake and Interlake stores and at several locations along Highway 24. There are several transfer stations (TF) and landfill sites (LF) in the TNRD which are open to the public (non-TNRD taxpayers) for both recycling and garbage drop off. Recycling of household paper, cardboard, plastics, glass and metal is encouraged and is FREE. A regular garbage bag (175 liters) of household waste will cost $1 to dispose of. You must pre-purchase tipping fees through either an Eco-Card (available in $10, $20 or $50 values) which is punched by the attendant depending on the amount of garbage disposed of or an Eco-Buck sticker for $1 which is put right on a bag of garbage. Pickup loads, depending on size, will cost 5 or 10 eco-bucks or eco-card punches. The cards and stickers are available at central vendors near the location of the depot such as the Little Fort General Store or the 70 Mile House General Store. Most locations have differing winter and summer hours of operation which increase the duration of the open hours by about 2 hours for the summer but for the most part are open the same days of the week all year. Further details are very easy to find on the website, www.tnrd.ca
- Little Fort TS: 8 am to 4/6 pm, Wed, Sat, Sun
- Barriere LF: 8/9 am to 5/6 pm, Mon, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun
- McLure TS: 8/9 am to 5/6 pm, Wed, Sat, Sun
- Heffley Creek LF: 7/8 am to 5 pm Mon, Tue, Fri, Sat, Sun
- Clearwater LF: 9 am to 5 pm Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, (Sat), Sun
- Blue River TS: 8 am to 2 pm Mon, Wed, Fri, Sun
- 70 Mile House TS: 8 am to 4 pm Mon, Tue, (Wed), Sat, Sun
- Clinton TS: 9/10 am to 4/5 pm Mon, Fri, Sat, Sun
- Spences Bridge TS: 8 am to 4/6 pm Wed, Sun
- Lytton TS: 12 pm to 6 pm Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun
CBC Wendy Marshall has scheduled the Christmas Bird Count for Dec. 17th and invites all birding enthusiasts to join in. This fun day starts and ends at Lac des Roches and includes a nice wind up with warm beverages and good cheer. This can be a great way for novices to get an introduction to birding in our area.
Wind storms Some incredible wind storms have gone through the area this autumn with surprisingly little in the way of tree-related damage or power outages. Perhaps the extensive tree falling and trimming the BC Hydro contractors did last winter was well worth the mess some residents had to clean up last spring?
Smoke The forestry and community burning bans were lifted on October 1 and the air has been filled with smoke ever since due to the extensive slash burning in the hills to the south and the north west of the lake. Gone are those crystal clear days and brilliant blue skies, for a while anyways. Private burning is allowed but not recommended until we get a little more snow on the dry grass and in the forests.
Logging Logging has resumed near Phinetta Lake and more logging is expected up the Wavey Lake Road this winter. Highway 24 is once again very busy with loaded logging trucks hauling in both directions and we can expect significant traffic on the local forestry roads soon. If we get snow accompanying the expected below-normal cold weather, sledding will be a popular pastime, but caution will have to be exercised to avoid the logging trucks.

Other Stuff ...

Vote Part-time residents owning property in the area have voting privileges for the upcoming civic elections on Nov. 19, for both their recreational property in the South Cariboo and in the home electorial district but there are specific regulations which are available from Alice Johnston, Chief Election Officer (CRD) at 1-800-665-1636, or from the website www.cariboord.bc.ca..
Construction In addition to the ever-increasing number of FOR SALE signs, a short drive around the lake, viewing the landscape from various angles will reveal new building and renovating on several properties in the area. As mentioned before, our demographics are changing as we lose permanent residents, but also the viewscape is undergoing significant changes with land clearing, new access roads and added structures.
Sledding The Bridge Lake Bushwhackers Snowmobile Club has placed its warming hut up near cow camp on Wavey Lake Road, just as we saw our first dusting of snow. The warming hut is available for all trail users, but courtesy and respect for this private property is expected. Membership to the club is not required but is certainly encouraged and club information is available in the hut.