News Release: Use of Snowmobiles and ATVs

I have attached a news release relating to the use of Snowmobiles and ATV's in our Communities. My hope is that this will be a good reminder to all users to be respectful, safe and compliant with the Motor Vehicle Act.

Cpl. Kathleen (Kat) THAIN NCO
i/c Logan Lake RCMP

Click for larger view

Dear pathetic adults

Did you enjoy your day of snowmobiling and tobogganing at the Lac Le Jeune ski hill? You forgot to be a good role model for your kids.

Dog for Adoption From TRU Animal Health Technology

Cedric is a high energy 1 yr old Border Collie cross. He is good with most dogs, loves to play with other dogs and is respectful of cats. He needs a home that can provide him with lots of daily exercise and a consistent routine as he is still a young dog. Cedric is an extremely intelligent dog that will make a wonderful companion for the right family. He would be a great cross country ski buddy!

www.tru.ca/science/programs/aht/adoptions 

Posted by Sonia Walczak

Ask a Dog Trainer

I'm passing along information about a free event for the public to get your dog training questions answered. Professional trainers will be on site to answer questions and help you with your dog (or cat!)

Donations for the Kamloops Humane Society are gladly accepted at this event.

Where:  Bosley's Pet Food, 1801 Princeton Kamloops Hwy, Kamloops

When: 25 January 2013 18:00 - 20:30

Five Star staff are positive trainers (no harsh methods or equipment) and come highly recommended!

Gus Johnson gets a new fence

A new fence now crosses the Gus Johnson Trail close to "Little Bay". It extends from the lakeshore to the fence line along the properties above. This fence will help to keep the cattle from accessing the area around the pump houses, and also from wandering the streets. I'm not sure which rancher to thank, but you sure built a great fence!

Logan Lake RCMP News Release: Shed B&E

We have had another report of a theft in the Lac Le Jeune area.

Click the image for a larger view

Cpl. K. THAIN

NCO 1/c Logan Lake RCMP

Logan Lake RCMP News Release: Cabin B&E

Just a reminder to all those who have cabins in the area and are only seasonal users...Lock up and check your cabin or have someone check your cabin intermittently through the cold season.

Click the image for a larger view

Cpl. K. THAIN

NCO 1/c Logan Lake RCMP

Is this the future of Kamloops?

What will Kamloops' future look like if the proposed Ajax open pit mine goes ahead as currently proposed?

This 28-minutes video was produced by Diana Kerr and Sandy Abraham. It highlights the impact a project of this size will have on our lives through interviews, infographics, and images that allow the viewer to envision what a mine of this size will actually look like, as well as the beauty it will replace.

The video is also available on DVD. Diana welcomes invitations for group viewing and discussion, something Lac Le Jeune residents might want to consider. She can be contacted via email:  d.m.kerr@telus.net 




http://youtu.be/wmyt50U3nSo

Boat Motor Theft

A motor was stolen from a boat docked on Water Street this past weekend. Be sure to lock up your boats and equipment, and continue to report any suspicious activity to the Logan Lake RCMP.

Suspicious Truck on the Gus

Occasionally motorized vehicles appear on the Gus Johnson trail. On Saturday a pick-up truck appeared at the top of the Gus close to Lookout Road. The driver, a young male, claimed that he hadn't seen any signs along the way about motorized vehicles being prohibited. He was accompanied by a young female and they had driven in from Rossmore Lake. 

They may have been lost, but what was suspicious was that the truck had no license plates. 

Any other reports about this vehicle?

Be Bear Aware

Photo by Peter Sulzle http://petersulzle.zenfolio.com/

Lisa Ritcey from the BC Bear Aware program has kindly passed along these facts and advice for Lac Le Jeune residents.

Also, here are a couple of resources to highlight:

• A map of latest bear (and other animal) reports 
• Bear Aware on Facebook 

 ====================== 

Black bears destroyed in BC due to conflicts with humans has been on the decrease since the inception of Bear Aware back in 1998. At that time approximately 1,000 bears a year were being destroyed due to conflicts. Presently, about 500 black bears a year are destroyed – which although, still high, is a marked improvement over past years.

The main thing to remember is that the bears are likely to move on if they are not rewarded for their visit. They may come into town out of curiosity or because of the smell of garbage/fruit/compost but if they do not find a meal they are unlikely to return. This is good for the bears and the people.

If bears get into our garbage they can hurt themselves. Our garbage contains broken glass, metal cans, house hold chemicals, and plastic. Leaving our garbage out can also hurt our children. Bears become habituated or food conditioned, and to children may appear as if they are safe to approach. The bears may seem calm enough but they are animals and they will protect food, their young, and their territory if they decide we are threatening any of those.

One attractant that we tend to forget about is bird seed, probably because it has no odour, and we also figure bears can eat seeds in the wild. But 1 kilo of bird seed has about 8,000 calories in it – it would take a bear almost all day to eat that in berries. There is also no such thing as a bear proof bird feeder. Remind residents that birds have plenty of food available in the summer and should only feed birds in the winter after the bears have gone to den.

Thank you again for your efforts to keep residents and the bears safe.

 Stats 

* 1998: 892 complaints, 46 bears destroyed
* 1999: 343 complaints, 11 bears destroyed
* 2000: 248 complaints, 13 bears destroyed
* 2001: 535 complaints, 25 bears destroyed
* 2002: 267 complaints, 10 bears destroyed
* 2003: 1,554 complaints, 35 bears destroyed
* 2004: 434 complaints, 3 bears destroyed
* 2005: 427 complaints, 3 bears destroyed
* 2006: 791 complaints, 4 bears destroyed
* 2007: 423 complaints, 3 bears destroyed
* 2008: 507 complaints, 5 bears destroyed
* 2009: 173 complaints, 4 bears destroyed
* 2010: 310 complaints, 5 bears destroyed

By Lisa Ritchey. Posted with permission.

Overlander Ski Club Registration

Registration is now open for the Overlander Ski Club 2012/2013 Ski Season! 60 kilometres of groomed trails, including night skiing, dog trails, snowshoe trails, terrain park for the kids, hot chocolate in the day lodge.. and the occasional moose spotting. Best deal around!

Reminder About Bear Attractant Management

Photo by Peter Sulzle

We recently had an incident in Lac Le Jeune where a bear, reported to have to been feeding on garbage and dog food left outside, was shot by a local resident.

This is the time of year that we often see bears in our neighbourhoods as they descend from the mountains and begin their final feeding frenzy before winter sets in. It seems like a good time to remind residents that attractant management is the way to prevent conflict.

Obvious good practice includes ensuring garbage is secured inside a building, and feeding birds only when bears are hibernating. But some suggestions are less obvious. Did you know that petroleum products can attract bears? Also, consider that even though a bear might not be able to get into a compost or garbage bin, he was still attracted to the smell in the first place.

Yesterday I emailed Miranda Brooke, the Kamloops Bear Aware  Coordinator, to see if she had any data to share on bear deaths due to poor attractant management. Just by coincidence that information was published in the Kamloops Daily News today: "Bear Aware campaign ramps up after two killed" I wonder if it includes Lac Le Jeune, because it seems in some years we've had more bears killed out here than the totals listed for the area. Also mentioned in that article -- bears need 20,000 calories a day, the equivalent of 40 big macs!

I also asked Miranda for some help in crafting a clear message that would have some impact. I haven't heard back yet, but maybe these wonderful photographs from local photographer, Peter Sulzle, will help! (Thanks, Peter, for permission to share these on our blog.)

For heaps of good information about bears visit the Bear Aware Website. To report a problem, call the Conservation Officer: 1-877-952-7277.

Photo by Peter Sulzle

Photo by Peter Sulzle

Photo by Peter Sulzle

Kamloops Fire Centre Newsletter

The lastest issue of the Kamloops Fire Centre Newsletter is now available online.

As you can see from this map, most of our area has a high or extreme danger rating.

Open publication - Free publishing - More fire

Water Stewardship - Working Group Meeting

Marge Sidney, Water Technician for Ministry of Environment Water Stewardship Division, and Thompson Nicola Regional Director of the BC Lake Stewardship Society visited Lac Le Jeune yesterday evening and met with members of the LLJCA Water Stewardship Working Group.

Topics covered and items for follow-up included:

1. Ways to provide outflow and flushing from the Little Lake (which is one cause of the large fish kill this past spring).
2. Sources of funding for groups such as the Lac Le Jeune Conservation Association for environment enhancement projects.
3. Ministries such as Water Rights, Fisheries, Water Management (MOE), Forestry and Parks that are in a position to make decisions that could impact Lac Le Jeune and contact people in those Ministries.
4. Invasive Species (terrestrial) contacts.
5. Water contact person for Lac Le Jeune at the local MOE.

Remarks for Public Hearing: Howard Mattfeld

Howard Mattfeld prepared these remarks for the Lakeshore Development Public Hearing.

A FLAWED PROCESS

By: Howard Mattfeld - a long-time resident of Lac Le Jeune

Introduction:

To date the process to rezone the subject property has not been conducted in a fair and honest manner by the TNRD.

Arguments:

1. This rezoning process began a considerable time ago. The Developer has kept the people of Lac Le Jeune informed as to the plans which they put forward to regulators, and to some of the changes which they have applied. The TNRD has invited some stakeholders to be a part of the process: Native Bands, The Provincial Water Comptroller. However, the Regional District has never communicated with the people affected by the zoning changes. The residents of Lac Le Jeune have never been asked for their input, their expertise, event their opinion.
2. There have been a number of changes to the property zoning from the start of this process. District Staff have engaged with the developer and appear to have done everything in their power to accommodate the Developer's wishes. Not once in this process have Staff asked for any input from the people living in the area. Not once has Staff contacted the locals regarding verification of information submitted by the Developer. There has been no communication to local residents by anyone at the TNRD during this process.
3. This process of non-communication has proceeded through the 1st Reading. The only stakeholders who were made aware of the 1st Reading were the TNRD and the Developer. It was only by chance that a search of the TNRD website showed a meeting was to be held. Nobody informed the residents of Lac Le Jeune. There was no invitation to the Conservation Association. There was no invitation to the Water Society. And of course, the 1st Reading was a formality. All discussions and fact finding had already been done. There was no verification of the developer's information, no scrutiny of the information submitted. If there had been, then the TNRD staff would have found a great deal of old information, unverified opinions, and incomplete data.
4. There was in interesting side note to the 1st Reading. A convenant which was tied to the subject property was included in the 1st Readings There was no noticed of this, no discussion, just added to the Reading. Do you not think that the residents should have been informed that a property which was not to be developed, by convenant, was about to be changed? Again, no communication by the TNRD to those who would be affected the most.
5. This process has been very enlightening for the Lac Le Jeune residents. There has always been the expectation that the TNRD Staff and the TNRD Representatives worked on behalf of everyone within their respective jurisdictions. This is in fact not the case. The lack of communication by the Area Representatives, and by the Staff shows that only some entities received TNRD support. Despite contact from the Lac Le Jeune Conservation Association and the Ridgemount Estates Water Users' Society asking to be kept informed, to be kept up to date, no communication came from TNRD.
6. This meeting is a good example of TNRD process.
   a) An invitation to attend this meeting was sent out to those who live within 100 metres of the development. What does 100 metres have to do with this? The entire community will be affected to some degree. The Notice of Public Hearing states "that all persons who believe that their interest in property may be affected by the proposed Bylaw shall be afforded a reasonable opportunity to be heard or to be present written submissions at the Public Hearing". And exactly how are these persons to do so when they have not been made aware of the Public Hearing? This is how the TNRD communicates with their electorate.
   
   b) The Notice of Public Hearing discusses the proposed zoning change. There is no mention of the proposal to remove the Convenant on the Subject Property. The Convenant may seem to be a minor part of the Reading, but to the residents at Lac Le Jeune it is a major achievement dating from a pervious property rezoning of the current Ridgemount Subdivision. Again, no communication by Staff or TNRD Representatives to this proposed major shift in property designation.
   
   c) Not only does this 2nd Reading include the Convenant change, it also included a combining of the 2nd and 3rd Readings. The TNRD appears to be intent on having this proposal passed with a minimum of work. This is another example of where the concerns and schedule of the developer have been addressed, but where due diligence has not. The TNRD is being perceived as less than honest in its dealings. The TNRD is operating through a rezoning process by Decree.
7. The Rezoning affects everything which will occur on the Subject Property. Therefore, it is amazing that water and sewer are not considerations for this Reading. The TNRD may not have the final say in the water allocation, however, it is something which must be discussed as to the preferential options and feasibility. Water is an item which may become a solely TNRD responsibility at a future date. The sewer is definitely within the TNRD mandate and is a vital part of any application for rezoning. How do you know that you are able to proceed on the Proposal if there is no facility for sewer, or if the impacts are unknown? Impacts sucha as catchment problems close to the Little Lake have not ever been examined. 

Summary:

1. The majority of the constituents you represent are not very happy with the way in which this rezoning application has been undertaken. This rezoning process has been flawed.
   - No verification of the developer's data
   - no input from other stakeholders
   - a condensed process to accommodate the developer's schedule
   - the TNRD looks as if it is not being honest with the lack of communication and transparency
2. Residents are not against this development. They want a say in the process and to be kept informed as to what occurs. It will affect their properties in many ways.
3. This 2nd Reading should be cancelled.
   - TNRD staff should request input from the other stakeholders so that their concerns can be addressed, and problems with the developer's submission be corrected.
   - TNRD Representatives can then receive an unbiased Board Report upon which to base their vote.

TNRD Approves Lakeshore Development

Today's Kamloops Daily News has a front page article about the Public Hearing: Despite opposition, TNRD approves Lac Le Jeune development. According to this article 25 Lac Le Jeune residents were present at the hearing. "None spoke in favour."

The LLJCA representatives at this hearing made it clear that the association's mandate is to ensure the protection of our lake environment. They presented evidence to support a recommendation to defer Application No. BA 24 until the issues raised in the submissions are resolved.

Ronaye Elliott, our TNRD Area J Representative, followed the presentations with a comment that the developer "has done more than required to communicate with LLJ residents by making presentations at the last three AGMs". Another director criticized the LLJCA for not responding to the development plans sooner. The motion for removal of the convenant passed unanimously, with perhaps a couple of abstentions.

Despite the outcome of the vote by regional district directors, there will continue to be opportunities for LLJCA to offer expertise to the developers, and for ongoing discussions to ensure environmental concerns are addressed.

You can browse blog posts related to the Lakeshore Development by selecting the 'development' label.

photo by Jenny Perry

Remarks for Public Hearing: David Wyse

David Wyse prepared these remarks for the Lakeshore Development Public Hearing.

===========================

Thank you for allowing us to speak to you this afternoon. We appreciate the opportunity to express our concerns to you and hope that you will share our concerns.

My name is David Wyse. I am President of the Lac Le Jeune Conservation Association. Currently, 68 households at Lac Le Jeune are members of this association. Most, if not all of the membership are concerned about the impact on our water supply by further development. Our mandate is stewardship. We are not opposed to development. But we are opposed to development when due diligence in ensuring the sustainability of the area’s water resource has not been carried out. With that, there can be no compromise.

I will speak to you first followed by Howie Mattfeld, a LLJCA executive member, Elna Strand, a member of the LLJCA and finally, Bob Brown, Vice-President of the LLJCA.

We attached six pictures to our September submission to you. Two of them are aerial photographs from Google Earth that show the area much more clearly than the maps provided to you in the Notice of Public Hearing. There is one picture of Big Lac Le Jeune, two pictures of Little Lac Le Jeune (one taken from the east end of the little lake and the other from the west end). The sixth picture documents a few of the many fish who perished in the Little Lake over the winter.

Would you be concerned if you were told that the guidelines for lakeshore development outlined in the 2004 TNRD publication on Lakeshore Development were no longer relevant?

Would you be concerned if, after repeated requests to suggest other guidelines that would be relevant to protect the water resource you are told to limit the speed of boats on the lake?

Would you be concerned if the environmental impact assessment was not done on the lake the development was being proposed to be built on, but rather on an adjacent lake?

Would you be concerned if the data used to support the conclusions reached in the impact assessment were, for the most part, over a third of a century old?

Would you be concerned that a lake, already designated “Critical” by the TNRD, already 100% overdeveloped based on TNRD criteria, already with a notation that there should be no further development has received approval for further development by the Planning Department of the TNRD?

Would you be concerned if no reassurance had been given to you about the sustainability of your water supply knowing that the development being proposed would draw at least 4.5 million gallons of water from the Lac Le Jeune aquifer annually.

Would you be concerned if the water monitoring program carried out by volunteers from the LLJCA and supported by the MOE and BCLSS since ice-off in May this year found alarming levels of increase in both phosphorous and specific conductivity compared to the 35 year old data used by Mr. Holmes from the wrong lake?

Would you be concerned when you discovered that the proposed development had moved another 60 feet closer to the lake in the past few months. It is now 40 meters from high water mark. And Mr. Holmes, when writing the Cariboo District Lakeshore Guidelines stated that planners “should ensure that buffer leave strips of 250 meters are required on all developments adjacent to high sensitivity lakes.”

From Little Lake

From Little Lake

(show picture of dead fish from the kill this spring)

Would you…please…be concerned enough about our area to ensure that safeguards are put in place to protect our and future generations water resource.

Thank you for your consideration of these comments.

Remarks for Public Hearing: Elna Strand

Elna Strand has prepared these remarks for the Lakeshore Development Public Hearing.

==================

My name is Elna Strand---we live at Lac le Jeune.

There are 2 separate questions being considered at this public hearing.

1. The cancellation of an existing restrictive covenant on DL 5739, and 
2. The approval of a proposed residential sub-division to be established on this land once the restrictive covenant is removed. 

I will speak about the cancellation of the existing restrictive covenant.

 In 1978 a subdivision on DL 5739 was approved. As part of that approval the TNRD requested the owner to enter into a restrictive covenant on the remainder of the District Lot which reads “…That the Grantor will not subdivide for residential purposes those lands known legally as District Lot 5739…”. Now that is precisely what the owner of the property proposes to do.

You may say that conditions have changed since 1978. Indeed they have—conditions at Lac Le Jeune have deteriorated. We have been devastated by the pine beetle. Areas around the lake, including the Provincial Campsite have been clear cut in an unsuccessful effort to control the pine beetle. We no longer have the forest canopy to reduce the run-off of heavy rains and to absorb snow melt. Partly as a result of this the quality of the lake water is deteriorating. The lakes are the source for our drinking water.

The pattern of development has also changed. No longer do people purchase land at Lac le Jeune to build “a cabin in the woods” or small homes. The recent development pattern is to clear the lot and build a large suburban type dwelling with out-buildings, paving and lawns. I foresee this type of building pattern in the proposed sub-division unless restrictions on site clearing and site coverage are put in place. Without these the run-off problem will increase.

Further, while you are being asked to remove the restrictive covenant from all the remaining part of DL 5739 you are being asked to establish an LR-1 and P-1 zone on only part of that property. I assume that the remaining property would remain within the AF-1 zone. If so, the proposed large “estate lot” of over 53 hectares could (at sometime in the future) be divided into smaller lots. This should not be permitted.

Public regard for elected officials has sunk to an all-time low. This is because those officials have not kept promises made to the citizens that elected them. If this restrictive covenant is removed it is another promise broken. The TNRD should think long and carefully before breaking its promise to the citizens of Lac le Jeune. The restrictive covenant should not be removed.

Thank you

Lakeshore Development Public Hearing

This letter was delivered to TNRD in preparation for the Lakeshore Development Public Hearing.

=================

September 18, 2012

Public Hearing Comments

The mandate of our Association is stewardship. We are not opposed to development. We are opposed to development when due diligence in ensuring the sustainability of the area’s water resource has not been carried out.

We have the following concerns:

1.     All criteria developed by the Thompson-Nicola District (TNRD) regarding Lakeshore Development have been ignored. According to the 2004 TNRD publication, “Lakeshore Development Guidelines”, Big Lac Le Jeune has been classified as “Development Lake sub-class” with the notation in the document that there should be NO FURTHER DEVELOPMENT. This classification is based on the two criteria used by the TNRD, namely “perimeter development” and “user unit ratio”, both of which are currently exceeded.   Again, based on TNRD criteria, Little Lac Le Jeune, the lake the proposed development will be adjacent to, has been classified as “Critical” with the notation that there should be NO FURTHER DEVELOPMENT. Little Lac Le Jeune has been given a Critical designation because of several factors. It has a mean depth of less than 5 meters. The size of Little Lac Le Jeune (between 60 and 100 hectares) allows for 20% perimeter development. Currently there is approximately 40% development. Ministry of the Environment personnel have determined that Little Lac Le Jeune is eutrophic. (overly rich in nutrients…i.e. nutrient pollution)

2.     The TNRD requires that an environmental impact assessment be completed prior to any lakeshore development. Our letter to the TNRD dated December 11, 2011 outlines our concerns with the study done by Lakeshore Environmental Ltd. (Please refer to #3)  Further to the concerns we mentioned, we are particularly concerned that the assessment was done on Big Lac Le Jeune when the proposed development is immediately south of Little Lac Le Jeune. We are also concerned that the data used was extremely dated. The most recent data cited in the report came from 1996 with the bulk of the data thirty-five years old from 1977. Wrong lake with data over a third of a century old!

3.     In our December letter, we expressed concern regarding the sheer volume of water that would be taken from the lake or water table if the proposed development proceeds. We are concerned about the potential draw of 4,471,250 gallons of water from the supply (based on 250 gallons per day with 49 proposed homes). Can the lake and water table sustain an additional draw of this annual amount?

4.     Since we wrote the December letter to the TNRD we have undertaken a water monitoring program supported by the Ministry of the Environment and the British Columbia Lake Stewardship Society.  Preliminary reports from our monitoring since ice-off in May, 2012 indicate an alarming increase in the phosphorous levels (over 1300%) and an almost doubling of the Specific Conductivity of the lake since the reports cited by Lakeshore Environmental Ltd. This information is in addition to the concerns raised by testing of water samples taken from Lookout Road by Interior Health prior to the installation of a filtration system mentioned in Concern #5 in the December letter.

5.     Since earlier this year, the proposed development has moved over 60 feet closer to the lake (from 60meters from high water mark to 40 meters).

Lakeshore Environmental Ltd. was contracted to write the Cariboo District Lakeshore Development guidelines. In that document, Mr. Holmes writes “ENSURE THAT (our capitalization) buffer leave strips are required on ALL developments within 150 meters of a low sensitivity lake and 250 meters of a high sensitivity lake to protect water quality.”  (Little Lac Le Jeune would be defined as a High Sensitivity Lake.)  He also states that “prior to further development there should be a water quality sensitivity rating. This should include a map of the lake basin morphometry, lake volume, depth, surface area, perimeter development, chemical sampling of lake at spring overturn, calculation of mean phosphorous concentration rate, calculation of flushing rate, watershed boundaries and information on land uses within the watershed. Mr. Holmes also recommended that a “Lake Carrying Capacity” measurement be done to “determine the capacity of the lake to support additional development. Of course, none of this good advice was followed when Lakeshore Environmental Ltd. wrote its environmental impact study to support Lakeridge development.

6.     We were informed that an engineering firm would be hired to do an impact assessment of the proposed development on the lake. This has not materialized.

7.     We described a number of anecdotal concerns in the December letter (refer to concern #6). Subsequent to this, we were alarmed this spring at the significant fish kill in the little lake. While there is usually some fish kill over winter, long term residents report that they have never seen anything that approached the magnitude of the fish kill this spring.

Perhaps Don Holmes of Lakeshore Environmental Ltd. said it best when writing for the Cariboo District.  “Even if each development was properly managed, this might not be adequate to protect lakes from the cumulative impact of many developments in high demand areas.”

Photographs to support these comments are available online: http://goo.gl/bosWu

Thank you for considering our concerns.

                                                       

Sincerely,

                                                             

David Wyse, President, LLJCA

Notice of Public Hearing: Lakeshore Development

This Notice of Public Hearing was distributed by TNRD to Lac Le Jeune residents who live within 100 metres of the proposed development site.

Background reading

• TNRD BOARD REPORT, September 7, 2012 : Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 2390, Application No. BA 24 (PDF)
• Lakeridge at Lac Le Jeune Q&A

====================

THOMPSON-NICOLA REGIONAL DISTRICT

Notice of Public Hearing

The Board of Directors of the Thompson-Nicola Regional District hereby gives notice that it will hold a Public Hearing:

Thursday, September 20, 2012 at 1:15 p.m.

at the Thompson-Nicola Regional District Boardroom, 4th Floor, 465 Victoria Street, Kamloops, BC, to consider Bylaw No. 2390, a Bylaw to amend Zoning Bylaw No. 2400.

The purpose of proposed Bylaw No. 2390 is to rezone portions of the subject land at the south end of Lac Le Jeune Road from AF-1 (Agricultural/Forestry) to P-1 (Recreational) Zone and to LR-1 (Lakeshore Residential Single Family) Zone via a site-specific provision. The applicant wishes to develop a fee simple 45 lot residential subdivision; new community park facilities; and a sales/presentation centre.

The following is proposed to be added to Bylaw No. 2400 as s. 11.2.1: 

11.2.1 Parcel Size and Density – Site Specific

Notwithstanding the preceding limits to parcel size and number of dwellings per parcel, residential development on lands zoned LR-1 off the south end of Lac Le Jeune Road and legally described as District Lot 5739, KDYD, except Plans 15863 and 29344, is limited to a maximum density of 45 parcels whereby any parcel having an area of 0.45 hectares or more can be used for no more than one single family dwelling; except that any parcel with an area of 0.8 hectares or more may have one additional detached single family dwelling.

The following is proposed to be added to Bylaw No. 2400 as s.11.6.4 (b):

(b) one sales and presentation centre of a maximum of 250 square metres gross floor area is permitted on any portion of District Lot 5739, KDYD, except Plans 15863 and 29344.

The subject property owned by Cressida Holdings Ltd. is located at 5805 Lac Le Jeune Road, Lac Le Jeune, BC, as shown below.

Notice of Public Hearing on September 20, 2012 

Bylaw No. 2390 File No. BA 24

FURTHER TAKE NOTICE that all persons who believe that their interest in property may be affected by the proposed Bylaw shall be afforded a reasonable opportunity to be heard or to present written submissions at the Public Hearing on the matters contained therein. Those unable to attend the Public Hearing may mail (#300–465 Victoria Street, Kamloops, BC V2C 2A9), fax (250-372-5048), email admin@tnrd.ca or hand deliver written submissions to the Regional District office on the 4th Floor, provided that all submissions are received prior to 4:30 p.m. on the 19th day of September, 2012;

AND FURTHER TAKE NOTICE that no representations will be received by the Board of Directors after the Public Hearing has been concluded;

AND FURTHER TAKE NOTICE that a copy of the proposed Bylaw Amendments may be inspected from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday, except Statutory Holidays, at the Thompson-Nicola Regional District Office, 4th Floor, 465 Victoria Street, Kamloops, BC, from the 6th day of September, 2012 until 1:15 p.m. on the day of the Public Hearing.

R. Sadilkova
Director of Development Services 

Close call

+

careless person

=

This time the careless person was a Lac Le Jeune resident, who was seen throwing a cigarette out of a car window into a ditch along the main street. This time we were lucky there were no flames.

Cigarette photo by kjetilhr 
Wildfire photo by ressaure 

Cougar shot at Ridge Lakes

A hunter killed a cougar yesterday afternoon by Ridge Lake after he could not deter it from stalking him while walking on a trail. Conservation Officer Service has been advised and they feel that the appropriate action was taken by the hunter. He was left with no choice after his attempts to deter and scare off the cougar were ignored by the cat. It was at least 120lbs and not the least bit put off that it was preying on a full grown man in full view of its intended prey who was bigger than the cougar itself.

Posted by Kecia Turunen

TODAY! Ajax mine forum

Ajax mine forum 

2:00pm - 4:00pm September 9, 2012 

Thompson Rivers University, Clock Tower Room: Alumni Theatre 

This forum dealing with mining related issues is the first in a series to be held at TRU.

Gus Johnson Work Party Part 2

Thanks to those who offered to join the Gus Johnson work party and to everyone who replied to the request for help. As it turns out, last week someone jumped the gun and cleaned the Gus Johnson trail. 

Noelle Kekula of Recreation Sites and Trails BC has been clear that the Stake Lake and Gus Johnson Trails are closed to motorized vehicles. Therefore, we need a permit to access to the trails with motorized vehicles or we risk a fine. Noelle did say the process for receiving permission will be quicker next time. As always, cleaning of the Gus Johnson Trail by the Lac Le Jeune Conservations Association will follow this process for obtaining a permit.

Thanks to Jim Phillips for this update and for continuing to oversee the Gus Johnson clean-up project!

Reforestation Activities

These reforestation activities are being coordinated by Forsite Consultants Ltd, on behalf of Woodco Management. The following outlines Woodco’s (Forsite Consultant’s) Mechanical Site Preparation plans for the Lac Le Jeune area. Jim Phillips is liaising with the company on this project and will respond to any questions or concerns.

IMPORTANT:  People must remain clear of any equipment as well as any blocks where treatments are being conducted. This is important for their safety. 

Planned start date 
Monday September 10, 2012.

Anticipated completion date 
The completion date will be subject to daily equipment production, however, we expect to be completed all trenching activities by September 22, 2012.

Planned site preparation activities (mechanical site preparation - disc trenching)
Site preparation activities will be conducted using skidder mounted disc trenchers. The skidders will be operating on the previously harvested blocks around the Lac Le Jeune area and also on the Ross Moore Forest Service Road. The skidders / trenching equipment will be delivered to the area utilizing lowbeds. In some cases it will be necessary to unload / load the equipment along the public road system. Wherever possible the contractor will load / unload the equipment on side roads where traffic levels will be lower.

Location of planned activities
These two maps of the Lac Le Jeune area indicate all blocks. Click to enlarge.

Planned activities

The majority of these blocks will be either entirely disc trenched or partially disc trenched. Specifically, the following blocks are planned for disc trenching treatment at this time:

• CP 200 Block 1
• CP 200 Block 2
• CP 200 Block 3
• CP 200 Block 5
• CP 200 Block 6
• CP 200 Block 7
• CP 200 Block 8 

Note - these overview maps are intended to indicate the blocks where mechanical site preparation treatments are planned. If there is interest regarding the plans for specific blocks, then that information can be made available.

Project Rationale 
Treatment of these previously harvested areas is necessary in order to meet our reforestation obligation(s). The treatment is being conducted in order to address grass competition and to mechanically create plantable spots for our planned 2013 tree planting activities.

August 29 LLJCA Executive Meeting

Lac Le Jeune Conservation Association Executive:

President:  David Wyse
Vice President: Bob Brown
Secretary:  Sylvia Currie
Treasurer:  Corinne Shock
Area Reps:

Lower subdivision: John Krawchuk
Upper subdivision: Howie Matfeld
Lookout Road: Pam Sheridan
Little Lake: Jenny Perry
Water Street: Jaquie Bruegger
Park Drive East: John Watson

The new executive held its first meeting on August 29, 2012.

Agenda, decisions, and action items: 

• Loss of core funding to the BC Lake Stewardship Society from the Ministry of the Environment. Letter to the Minister requesting that he reconsider this decision. 

• Utilities Commission / Comptroller of Water Rights.
  Letter requesting to be kept informed regarding any decisions impacting Lac Le Jeune.

• Lakeshore Monitoring (Gus Johnson trail clean up, rehabilitation of spawning streams, invasive plant species)
  Contact M.O.E. to request their advice on how to proceed and invite Marg Sidney to attend an executive meeting.
  Explore best options for walking access across main mud hole; suggested boardwalk could work. 

• TNRD communication.
  Letter to Ronaye Elliott, our TNRD Area J Representative, informing her of the new executive and requesting that we be kept informed and involved in the processes leading to any future development. 

• Follow up correspondence from LLJCA AGM
  Letter to Logan Lake RCMP thanking them for their participation in the AGM.
  Letter to Derick thanking him for use of the lodge and for supplying refreshments. 

• Review of the Constitution
  Agreed there is a need to revise.
  As a preliminary step, the documents will be distributed to executive members for review. 

• Communication with relevant agencies
  Letters to TNRD, MOE, and Forestry Branch requesting to be informed of and involved in any decisions impacting LLJ. 

Statement from the Executive

Our executive is committed to the preservation of the quality of life that we all enjoy here. This includes fishers, skiers, ATVers, snowmobilers, hikers, and so on. We are focused on preserving the quality and sustainability of the water we live beside. We also aim to be participants in any decisions made that could potentially impact any of this.

Please use your area representatives to bring forward any issues you would like your LLJCA executive to address.

David Wyse can be contacted at 250-374-8542, or dkm_wyse@telus.net

Gus Johnson Work Party

UPDATE! The dead fall clean up is now scheduled for September 9th, pending written approval  from Recreation Sites and Trails BC. Thanks to everyone who has contacted Jim so far!

As a follow-on to our August 18, 2012 Lac Le Jeune Conservation Association AGM, Jim Phillips is actively organizing the Gus Johnson trail clean up work party. Here is an invitation from Jim to participate in the process.

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I have received permission to clean the Gus Johnson trail and fix a path through the mud hole at the Lookout Road end. Recreation Sites and Trails BC require the names of the people that are going to be on the trail and the date of completion. They will then provide the approval in writing.

The Schedule 

Day 1: Saturday,  September 9th (was Sept 1st)
Clean up the dead falls on the trail. We will need 5 or 6 volunteers, a couple chain saws and a couple ATVs.

Day 2: Saturday, TBD (was September 8th)
Again, 5 or 6 volunteers are needed to fix the mud hole. My thought is to use some gravel and a piece of culvert 3 -4’ long to create a path on one side but will need the material. Does anyone have an idea where we can get this material free? Does anyone else have another idea to repair the mud hole?

This is a bit of rush but I need confirmation of those who can volunteer, and what they can bring, by the morning of Wednesday, September 29th so I can get the approval in writing. Please email jimp@telus.net if you can volunteer or supply material.

Thank you!

2012 Lac Le Jeune Conservations Association AGM Minutes

LAC LE JEUNE CONSERVATION ASSOCIATION 

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

AUGUST 18, 2012 AT 10:00 AM

WELCOME

The Annual General Meeting was held at the Lac Le Jeune Resort.

President Rick Van Rijn thanked everyone for coming out, and expressed thanks to Derek Mac Donald for hosting us in the meeting room and for providing goodies and refreshments.

APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES

It was MOVED by Hugh Claxton, SECONDED by Charlie Fox and CARRIED to approve the minutes of the September 17, 2011 AGM.

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

Rick thanked the volunteer board members who had served over the past year.  He announced that Vice President Ken McPherson resigned from the Board and Secretary Linda Legare moved.  Both Rick Van Rijn and Treasurer John Baker were completing their terms, leaving all Board positions open for re-election.

Rick announced that there were a number of items that the Board had been dealing with, and representatives at the meeting would report on those items.

TREASURER’S REPORT

John Baker reported that of April 30, 2012, $4447.45 was in a GIC and $2722.44 in our bank account.  Last year expenses included $25 in fees, $26.62 for cheques, and $300 for the Halloween/Pumpkin Party.   

John took questions from the floor:

Q: If this year’s membership revenue was $10, our expenses are not sustainable.

A: Dues are paid every 2 years.  Over a 2 year period we are sustainable.

Q: How many members do we have and how much money do we get in?

A: We received $685 in membership dues in the last 2 year period.

Q: Do we have a membership list?

A: Yes

WATER MONITORING GROUP

Hugh Burton brought in tools to show what, how and why they are doing the water monitoring.  He invited anyone interested to stay after the meeting to look at them and receive information. He invited everyone to check the Lac Le Jeune Blog where he and David Wyse have written extensively on what they are doing.

The group volunteering to do the water monitoring is made up of David Wyse, Hugh Burton (technical director), John Krawchuk, Casey Sheridan, Howe Mattfield, Jim Phillips, Jeff Perry and Bob Brown.

The water sampling will be a 3 year project for both Lac Le Jeune and Little Lac Le Jeune (total 6 years).  It will involve water sampling and profiling of both lakes. Volunteers go out 12 times per year (approximately every 16 weeks).  The Ministry of Environment has sanctioned the project and is funding it.  After the 6 years, we hope to have a lot of information about what is going on with our lake.  

Hugh took questions from the floor:

Q: Would you like more volunteers?

A: If anyone is interested, please let the committee know.

Q: Have you received any preliminary data?

A: It is too early to say.  It takes 3 years to accumulate and then look at the data.  Right now we are establishing a baseline.

Q: Could you do a brief review?  What is the data that you are collecting?

A: Samples are taken at every meter of depth through the entire depth of the lake.  We measure levels of oxygen, conductivity (salt), nitrates, phosphates and temperature profiles.  This information is sent to a Vancouver lab for analysis.

Hugh and the members of the committee were thanked for their work.

TNRD 

This report was tabled as Renee Elliott of the TNRD was absent from the meeting.

SKI HILL ZONING UPDATE

Gregg Lindros reported on the Lakeridge project, and the process of the rezoning application for the ski hill area.  He explained that the process is currently on hold until the water issue is resolved.  The Utilities Commission in Victoria will give direction as to how to proceed.  There will be no public hearing until that is received.

Gregg informed everyone that Biologist Don Holmes would be available after the meeting to answer any questions about the impact to the lake. 

Gregg explained that part of the rezoning proposal included a 140 acre park that will be transferred to the TNRD.  

Gregg took questions from the floor:

Q: Regarding the regulatory decision, is there room for public input?

A: It is a closed process -  the judge makes the ruling.

Q: What is the present source of water for the resort?

A: The lake, several water licenses are in place.

Gregg explained that the Utilities Regulation Section of Natural Resources will be providing an opinion on whether an independent water system or a system that is amalgamated with the existing system would be approved.

RCMP REPORT

Cpl Kat Thain, the new Corporal for Logan Lake spoke on behalf of the RCMP in the area.  She explained that there are 3 members who cover an extensive area, including but not limited to: McConnell Lake, Paska Lake, Dominic Lake, Tunkwa Lake, 8 Mile Road, rural lakes and roads.

Three expansion projects at the Logan Lake Mine are planned over 3 years.  These will include 900 contractors commuting from Kamloops, 850 big rig trucks and 70 – 100 additional full time jobs.

Kat explained that there have been reports of B & E’s and thefts at LLJ. However, these have been reported long after the fact, making it difficult for police to follow up.  Residents are asked to please report these incidents as soon as possible, so that police can at least determine a pattern of behavior.

Kat explained that there have been a number of thefts at local transfer stations.  Changes are being made to help determine the source of the thefts.  There were no more incidents of thefts in local mailboxes.  Police are increasing their patrols in the area, including the park and lake.

LAC LE JEUNE BLOG

The Lac Le Jeune Blog is located on the web at laclejeune.blogspot.com.

Sylvia Currie  and Jenny Perry post regularly to the blog. Please contact them if you would like to find out how to post to the blog.  You can subscribe to the blog, and receive updates by email!  Lots of information including photos, weather, bear alerts, items for sale, AGM information and more!

COMMUNITY ADVISORY GROUP (CAG)

Mike Brugger explained that the LLJ Conservation Association was one of 16 groups invited to give feedback to the Community Advisory Group to the Ajax Mine.  This group meets every 4 – 6 weeks.  

CAG has tracked all comments and submitted these to the Environmental Assessment Office in August.  Once approved, they will start the environmental assessment process.  All public input into this process has now ceased.

ELECTIONS

Rick announced that all positions were open for election.  The following positions were filled by acclamation:

President: David Wyse

Vice President: Bob Brown

Secretary: Sylvia Currie

Treasurer: Corrie Shock

John Krawchuk volunteered to be the rep for the lower subdivision.

QUESTION PERIOD

Jim Phillips volunteered to spearhead a committee to clean up the fallen trees on the Gus Johnston Trail.  

Cpl Kat Thain announced that there are no bylaws for the RCMP to enforce on this trail.

Members of the Association were invited to think about how they might contribute to the maintenance and long term vision of the trail.

A thank you was expressed to outgoing members.

Meeting adjourned at 11:45 am.

Litter

Know anybody who drinks Kirkland chocolate milk? They have some cleaning up to do on one of the LLJ beaches. Let's hope the people who do this don't plan to have kids. 

Campfire ban

Reposted from the BC Wildfire Management Branch Website

Campfire ban throughout most of Kamloops Fire Centre

8/16/2012 11:02 AM
KAMLOOPS -- Effective at 12 noon on Friday, Aug. 17, all campfires are banned in all areas of the Kamloops Fire Centre except the Clearwater Fire Zone.

A map of the area covered by the campfire ban is available online at: http://bit.ly/Q0tEMK

This step is being taken to help prevent human-caused wildfires and protect public safety.

The fire danger rating is currently "high" throughout the Kamloops Fire Centre, with scattered pockets of "extreme."

With the current trend of warm and dry weather, wildfires in the region have displayed very aggressive behaviour and required additional fire suppression resources. Human-caused wildfires can divert critical resources and crews from responding to naturally occurring wildfires.

Open burning is prohibited throughout the Kamloops Fire Centre. This prohibition applies to open fires of any size, fires with a burn registration number, industrial burning, fireworks, tiki torches and burning barrels. The prohibition does not apply to cooking stoves that use gas, propane or briquettes, or to a portable campfire apparatus with a CSA or ULC rating that uses briquettes, liquid or gaseous fuel, as long as the height of the flame is less than 15 centimetres.

The open burning prohibition covers all BC Parks, Crown and private lands, but does not apply within the boundaries of local governments that have forest fire prevention bylaws and are serviced by a fire department. Please check with local governments for any other restrictions before lighting a fire.

Anyone found in violation of an open fire ban, including campfires, may be issued a ticket for up to $345. Anyone who causes a wildfire through arson or recklessness may be fined up to $1 million, spend up to three years in prison and be held accountable for associated firefighting costs.

This prohibition will remain in place until the public is notified that it has been rescinded.

You can also follow the latest wildfire news --

• On Twitter at: http://twitter.com/BCGovFireInfo
• On Facebook at: http://facebook.com/BCForestFireInfo

Fire Centre Bulletin 1924

Ross Lorimer

On 7 August, Ross Lorimer, a loved and long-time resident of Lac Le Jeune, died suddenly while in the woods near his home.

The obituary copied below appears on the In Memoriam website, where you may leave your condolences. Note also that the Lorimer family is holding an Open House this weekend.

We are all very saddened by this news. On a personal note, I think back on the last time I saw Ross. It was at the LLJ transfer station and, as always, he was his usual cheery, friendly, smiley self.

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Ross McIntosh Lorimer was born May 18, 1945. He died suddenly on August 7, 2012 while gathering firewood in the woods near his home in Lac Le Jeune.

Ross is survived by his wife of 41 years, Beverley, and his children Michael (Tammy) and Kathryn (Jason). The pride of Ross' life were his two grandchildren Talyn and Lauren. Since retirement, he has taken every opportunity to spend time with his two beautiful grandchildren. He is also survived by siblings Ted (Leanne), Jeanie, Jamie (Jennifer), Keith (Chris), sister-in-law Barbara (Tom) and many nieces and nephews.

Ross spent his entire working career in sales with Cadbury/Schweppes, Fraser Valley Foods, Pillsbury and Golden Boy. During his career, he worked with customers and friends throughout the entire province. Whether it was major retail chains or mom and pop corner stores, he built friendships that lasted throughout his entire career.

Ross enjoyed many vacations at Salt Spring Island and the Oregon Coast. This love of the west coast began with his boyhood summers spent at the family home on Salt Spring Island. Ross has travelled to Scotland numerous times over the past decade to visit daughter Kathryn and her family in Edinburgh. He loved the outdoors and took daily walks on nearby trails with his four-legged pals Kootenay and Tanner. Retirement also brought a renewed interest in golfing, fishing and spending time around the pool table with his friends.

At Ross' request, his life will be celebrated in a small family ceremony on Salt Spring in October.

In lieu of flowers, donations to Variety Children's Charity would be appreciated.

For those wishing to pay their respects, an Open House will be held at his home in Lac Le Jeune on Sunday, August 19th from noon until 2:00 p.m.