Overlander Ski Club -- Registration is now open!

It's time to register for the 2014-2015 ski season! Earlybird rates end November 15. Season trail passes include skiing and snowshoeing. There is a full instructional program as well.

Check it out on the new and improved Overland Ski Club website!

TNRD Director Election

Ron McGivern is running for the position of Director, Area J, TNRD. He is very open to any questions or concerns you may have. Ron can be reached at ronaldmc@telus.net or call 250-374-5637.

 TNRD Director Election Voting Opportunities: 

 · ADVANCED VOTING DAY 
Wednesday, November 5th; 8:00am – 8:00pm Location: TNRD Office, 4th Floor 465 Victoria Street, Kamloops (Above the library)

 · ADDITIONAL VOTING DAY 
Wednesday, November 12th; 8:00am – 8:00pm Location: TNRD Office, 4th Floor 465 Victoria Street, Kamloops, (Above the Library)

 · GENERAL VOTING DAY 
Saturday, November 15th ; 8:00am – 8:00pm

AREA J Locations:

•  Burns Residence, 3737 Ridgemont Drive, Lac Le Jeune 
•  Ohm Residence, 5849 Buckhorn Road, Cherry Creek 
•  Savona Seniors Centre, 6625 Savona Access Road, Savona 
•  Best Residence, 9652 Meadow Road, Tranquille Valley 
•  District of Logan Lake Fire Hall, 1 Opal Drive, Logan Lake

 · YES! YOU CAN VOTE BY MAIL THIS ELECTION! MAIL IN VOTER APPLICATION HERE:
Vote by Mail Application (PDF)

Minutes: LLJCA ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING - September 14, 2014

This document is available for viewing and download in our Files section. Here is a direct link.

LAC LE JEUNE CONSERVATION ASSOCIATION
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
SEPTEMBER 14, 2014

1. Approval of the AGM Minutes of September 1, 2013

Moved by Howie Mattfeld, seconded Hugh Burton.

2. President’s Report – David Wyse

David Wyse thanked Warren Trousdell for the use of his workshop facility to host the 2014 LLJCA Annual General Meeting. He then summarized key events and plans, and acknowledged individuals who have contributed (including birds!) to LLJCA programs:

• The lake monitoring program is nearing the completion of its third year on the big lake and its second year on the little lake. Thank you to the monitors: Bob Brown, Hugh Burton, Clay Govett,  Dick Holmes, Gord Jarrett, John Krawchuk, Howie Mattfeld, Phil Park, Jeff Perry, Jim Phillips, Al Schock, Casey Sheridan, Colleen Sherwood and David Wyse.
• British Columbia Institute of Technology Lake technology students, as part of an annual program which selects one interior lake each spring, will be examining and reporting on aspects of Lac Le Jeune that we don’t look at in our own lake monitoring program. This examination of the lake will occur in March, 2015 and we will be provided with an in-depth report on the health of our lake.
• Ronaye Elliott, our Area J TNRD representative, provided funding to replace the oxygen sensor in our lake probe.
• The Red Winged Blackbirds fortuitously appeared at Lac Le Jeune on February 22nd, 2014, the day that we held our Red Winged Blackbird Social. This event was a sold-out success.
• A letter was written to the TNRD expressing concern about the horses that will be allowed in the new development.
• John Krawchuk arranged for a danger tree assessment on the Gus Johnson trail. John will continue to meet with appropriate ministries re this concern.
• Dr. Muriel Whittaker generously donated to our association to help us further our objectives.
• Our lake monitoring program is the third step in a five-step process. The fourth step is the development of a lake management plan. The fifth step is the development of a watershed management plan.
• Our contact at the Ministry of the Environment (Marge Sidney) referred David to Debra Epps who works out of Nanaimo. Debra sent David a number of lake management plans that have been developed for some of the lakes on Vancouver Island. Debra and Marge agreed that Lac Le Jeune would be an ideal lake to be the first in the province to develop a watershed management plan. This possibility was discussed at an executive level and it was agreed that we should pursue it. Bob Brown and David met with TNRD and MOE representatives in early April, 2014 and in that meeting identified around 25 groups, individuals, ministries, etc. that should be contacted to become involved in the development of a watershed plan. At that first meeting, they also identified a process that we should use to bring the interested parties together for an initial meeting. They agreed that we should have the initial meeting chaired by a person with no connection to any of the interested parties. Shortly after this meeting, David contacted the person in charge of the Fraser River basin who agreed to chair the initial LLJ watershed meeting. Unfortunately, right after this, David began to experience some health issues and made the decision to not let his name stand again as President. He does not want to begin a process that he was not going to be able to be part of finishing, and is leaving it to the new executive to decide how they want to proceed. David believes that a watershed plan is the right way to go but recognizes that it will take a lot of time to guide it through.
• Thank you to those who are letting their names stand for the new executive.

3. Treasurer’s Report – Corinne Schock

Corinne Schock referred to the report that was circulated. There were a few more expenses this year than last. She noted that the budget year does not line up with the calendar year of the scheduling of the AGM.

Moved to adopt the Treasurer’s Report as circulated. Seconded by Jim Phillips.

4. RCMP report – Cpl. Kathleen Thain

Kathleen Thain provided an update on events and trends during the past year, and responded to questions. Main points:

• Due to medical leave there are only 2 members in the Logan Lake RCMP Detachment. They have received great support from the Merritt detachment.
• Kathleen asked that we continue to submit reports as that is the best way to deal with issues such as speeding.
• RCMP response times to seem to be the same as last year. There are fewer callouts so far this year (63 last year, this year 1/3 of that)).
• The speed limit change to 120 km on Highway 5 was done without consultation. Concerns should be directed to local MP.
• Alcohol related crashes are down
• Logan Lake RCMP now have ATVs and are identified by yellow jacket uniforms
• Kathleen acknowledged Ken McPherson for his assistance in locating a lost hiker who would otherwise have been out all night. This is a great example of community assistance; Ken is very familiar with the area was able to assist using his own ATV.
• There are concerns about garbage on the old highway, including beer cans. RCMP can ticket based on witness statements. Record plate number, location and time of day.
• Noted the new signs by mailboxes indicating that Lac Le Jeune is a Citizens on Patrol community.

5. Citizens on Patrol – Carolyn Chandler

Carolyn Chandler and Colleen Krawchuck are currently volunteering for the Citizens on Patrol program. Carolyn described the duties and activities over the past year, and was enthusiastic about the positive impact of the program in our community. They began doing local patrols in January, 2014 – two times per month. It is a process of getting to know the neighbourhood, and to notice what is normal and what appears unusual. Additional volunteers are needed.

6. Lake Monitoring Program – Marg Sidney/Hugh Burton

Hugh expanded on David’s report regarding lake monitoring and the British Columbia Institute of Technology involvement. We do some of this data collection and research already, but the BCIT program is more intensive and they collect more information. The program is currently underway at Logan Lake.

We are currently at the 3^rd level of lake monitoring; the 5^th level is watershed management. There has never been a full watershed management plan done.

Hugh noted that we have changed sampling parameters, so it would be best to extend sampling so that we have at last 3 years of consistent data. The new LLJCA Executive Committee will need to decide if we want to proceed along this line. Funding is available.

Additional volunteers are needed for the Lake Monitoring Program. Hugh plans to contact the Thompson Rivers University biology department to see if there is interest in becoming involved.

Hugh thanked those who have contributed to the project over the years.

7. Discussion Topic (LLJCA mandate and non-stewardship issues)

This question regarding the need to amend the constitution to allow the LLJCA executive to act on behalf of the community regarding issues of common interest or concern was discussed. It was noted that there are liability costs associated with establishing a Community Association, and a new or expanded mandate would mean dealing with many more issues. At present LLJCA is tasked mainly with maintaining contact lists, acting as a contact point for community related updates and enquires, and disseminating information of interest to all residents. It was decided that the Conservation Association should continue to work in that capacity, and the question will be revisited if new concerns emerge.

8. Ajax Mine Citizen Advisory Committee

The Lac Le Jeune representative position is vacant. Corinne Schock will follow up with Brenda Phillips who might be willing serve on this committee.

9. TNRD Area J report – Ronaye Elliot

Ronaye reported on events in area J, namely the process Savona is undergoing to renew and maintain the public dock and park, waste management in Tranquille Valley, and discussions regarding dangerous dog bylaws in other areas. There was nothing reported about Lac Le Jeune specifically.

10. Elections

Several Area Representatives were willing to continue in their positions. Elections were held for the remaining positions. The 2014-2015 Executive Committee is as follows:

President  – Corinne Schock

Vice President  – Cynthia Swain

Treasurer  – Carolyn Chandler

Secretary – Sylvia Currie

Area Representatives

Lac Le Jeune Drive East – vacant (Jacquie Brugger will follow up)

Old Town Site – Jacquie Brugger/ Pat Burton (shared position)

Little Lake – Jenny Perry

Lookout Road – Jim Phillips (replacing Pam Sheridan)

Lower Subdivision – John Krawchuk

Upper Subdivision – Howie Mattfeld

Meeting adjourned at 12:50.

Suspicious activity on Lac Le Jeune Road

UPDATE: Excellent news! This turned out to be nothing to worry about. It was a neighbour returning from a late night shift and was placing a borrowed item on the deck.

This report is from Kecia Turunen:

Last night at about 1:30 am we were woken up by our dogs frantically barking out the front window. A second later our porch motion detector light turned on. Thinking it was a bear or other animal we went to investigate only to discover someone get into a waiting vehicle at the end of our driveway. RCMP were notified. The car sounded like a manual 4 cylinder with a rattling exhaust.

Keep vigilant everyone.

Found kitty

UPDATE: The kitty is now back at home on Osprey

A sweet little grey tabby cat has been hanging around Marmot Street. She seems frightened, and like she would prefer to be inside.

If you know who this kitty belongs to please call Coleen at (250) 828-0185.

Prep for LLJCA AGM

Chair In Sky by Nicki Varkevisser 

1. Bring a chair

2. Bring a mug if you think of it. We'll have disposable cups, too.

3. Read the minutes from the 2013 AGM, and print out if you want your own copy. The balance statement is a separate document. Printed copies of the 2014 AGM Agenda will be available at the meeting.

4. Bring $10 for membership fees (for new application, or renewals if applicable)

See you Sunday, September 14th at 11:00 a.m. at 5865 Lac Le Jeune Road.

Cougar in the neighbourhood

This afternoon around 4:30 p.m. Dave Falcon was on the trails with his mountain bike and dog, Ukie, at the end of Lac Le Jeune Road near the pond. Dave stopped to clear some branches when Ukie began to bark. At first he assumed there was a calf on the trail, since cattle are often found grazing in that area. However, the dog's bark became frantic, then Dave saw something moving in his direction approximately 20 metres away. It was a large cougar, with ears pinned back.

Dave attempted to call Ukie but there was a flurry of activity and loud noises, then silence. Assuming that Ukie did not win the struggle, and for his own safety, Dave left the area. Back home he was telling the story to his neighbour when who runs down the street? Ukie!

Ukie is at home resting, with no apparent injuries. It's a complete mystery how he survived the encounter.

This isn't Ukie, but is a reasonable facsimile, and probably what she is doing right now!

We're so happy about the END of this story! Meanwhile, keep your pets and kids safe. Dave has contacted the Conservation Officer Service.

Here is an excerpt from the Safety Guide to Cougars from the BC Ministry of Environment website:

---

If you meet a cougar:

• Never approach a cougar. Although cougars will normally avoid a confrontation, all cougars are unpredictable. Cougars feeding on a kill may be dangerous.
• Always give a cougar an avenue of escape.
• Stay calm. Talk to the cougar in a confident voice.
• Pick all children up off the ground immediately. Children frighten easily and their rapid movements may provoke an attack.
• Do not run. Try to back away from the cougar slowly. Sudden movement or flight may trigger an instinctive attack.
• Do not turn your back on the cougar. Face the cougar and remain upright.
• Do all you can to enlarge your image. Don't crouch down or try to hide. Pick up sticks or branches and wave them about.

If a cougar behaves aggressively:

• Arm yourself with a large stick, throw rocks, speak loudly and firmly. Convince the cougar that you are a threat not prey.
• If a cougar attacks, fight back! Many people have survived cougar attacks by fighting back with anything, including rocks, sticks, bare fists, and fishing poles.

Cougars are a vital part of our diverse wildlife. Seeing a cougar should be an exciting and rewarding experience, with both you and the cougar coming away unharmed. However, if you do experience a confrontation with a cougar or feel threatened by one, immediately inform the nearest office of the Conservation Officer service.

Injured hawk

Do you know someone with expertise in capturing injured birds? There is an injured hawk at the Meadow Creek Golf Club in Logan Lake. The Wildlife Park in Kamloops will take the bird if someone is able to capture it.

Via Carolyn Chandler

Cougar - Logan Lake

Conservation Officers are advising Logan Lake residents and visitors to keep an eye out for a cougar. The cougar has been spotted near the golf course and campground, and is coming unusually close to people.

"Cougar closeup" by Art G. - originally posted to Flickr as Those Eyes. Licensed under CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons.

Thanks to Carolyn Chandler for the heads up!

~ REMINDER!~

The Lac Le Jeune Conservation Association Annual General Meeting will be held on Sunday, September 14 at 11:00 AM. The location is 5865 Lac Le Jeune Road (at the top of the hill,the first driveway to the right just past Heron Road). This is the same location as last year's meeting. Hope to see all of you there!