Ajax Mine: Tomorrow is the deadline for public comment!

Are you concerned about the environmental impact of the Ajax Mine?

April 11 (tomorrow!) is the deadline to submit public comments to the Environmental Assessment Office (EAO). They forward all posted comments to project proponents so that they can be duly considered during the project's Environmental Assessment (EA) process.

In addition, the Sierra Club of British Columbia provided a template to customize your own letter. Complete the form on the website and the letter will be sent to:

• Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency  
• The Honourable Christy Clark, Premier of British Columbia  
• The Honourable Mary Polak, Minister of Environment  
• The Honourable Bill Bennet, Minister of Energy and Mines and Minister Responsible for Core Review  
• The Honourable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Environment and Climate Change

News Release: Increased fines for wildfire-related violation tickets

4/1/2016 8:15 AM

VICTORIA - Increased fines for a variety of wildfire-related violation tickets came into force today. Anyone caught contravening specified open burning and campfire regulations could now face fines more than three times higher than last year's penalties. The B.C. government has been taking a tougher stand on irresponsible behaviour that contributes to increased wildfire risks, in an effort to protect communities, natural resources and infrastructure from wildfire damage. The regulatory changes announced on March 10, 2016, significantly increase ticket fines for 19 different violations under the Wildfire Act and another seven violations under the Wildfire Regulation. These changes mean that British Columbia now has some of the highest wildfire-related violation ticket fines in Canada. For example, the fine for not complying with a fire restriction under the Wildfire Act has tripled from $345 to $1,150. Failing to properly extinguish a burning substance, such as a cigarette, will now cost an offender $575. To report a wildfire or unattended campfire, call 1 800 663-5555 toll-free or *5555 on a cellphone. Follow the latest B.C. wildfire news: On Twitter On Facebook Quote: Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Steve Thomson - "This government has acted on behalf of all British Columbians to crack down on reckless behaviour that could put lives, communities and resources at risk. We encourage everyone to do the right thing this fire season by learning more about responsible fire use and making sure they follow the rules." Quick Facts: On average, 30 to 40% of wildfires in British Columbia each year are caused by people. The 2015 fire season was one of the busiest and most expensive in recent years, with over 283,400 hectares burned and over $278 million spent on wildfire management. Learn More: BC Wildfire Service FireSmart Homeowner's Manual Explanation of open burning categories Safe backyard burning practices A backgrounder follows. Media Contact: Media Relations Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations 250 356-5261 --- BACKGROUNDER Summary of new Wildfire Act and Wildfire Regulation fines Wildfire Act violation ticket fines (effective April 1, 2016): Section 2, Fail to report fire: $383 Section 3 (1), Drop, release or mishandle burning substance: $575 Section 3 (2), Fail to extinguish burning substance: $575 Section 5 (1), Light, fuel or use fire against regulations: $1,150 Section 5 (2) (a), Fail to extinguish fire: $575 Section 5 (2) (b), Fail to report fire: $575 Section 6 (1), Light, fuel or use fire against regulations, industrial: $1,150 Section 7 (1), Fail to assess fire hazard: $767 Section 7 (2), Fail to abate fire hazard: $1,150 Section 7 (4), Fail to comply with hazard abatement order: $1,150 Section 10 (3), Light, fuel or use fire against restriction: $1,150 Section 10 (4), Fail to comply with fire restriction: $1,150 Section 11 (2), Fail to comply with restricted area requirements: $767 Section 12 (2), Fail to comply with order restricting activity or use: $767 Section 13 (2), Fail to comply with order to leave area: $767 Section 16 (2), Fail to comply with fire control order: $575 Section 22 (2), Fail to stop vehicle or vessel: $575 Section 22 (3), Fail to provide documents: $383 Section 56 (2), Intentional interference, non-compliance or false statement: $1,150 Wildfire Regulation violation ticket fines (effective April 1, 2016): Section 5, Fail to have sufficient fire tools: $307 Section 6 (3), Fail to comply with high risk activity restrictions, and keep at activity site firefighting hand tools and adequate fire suppression system: $460 Section 6 (4), Fail to meet fire watcher requirements: $460 Section 8, Operate engine contrary to regulations: $460 Section 9, Fail to meet fire prevention measures - railway operations: $767 Section 10, Fail to meet fire prevention measures - transmission operations: $767 Section 13 (1), Fail to meet fire suppression responsibilities: $307 Media Contact: Media Relations Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations 250 356-5261 Connect with the Province of B.C. at: www.gov.bc.ca/connect

News Release 2602

Wanted: photos of western toad migration

Does anyone have photos of the western toad migration that happens every summer on the Lac Le Jeune Road? Most of the toads cross the highway near the Jacko Lake turn off. Please send them to corinneschock@gmail.com.

Thank you!

Hello from BC Parks

Hello from BC Parks:

Hello everyone - with only 4 days left until Spring officially begins, we all wake up to fluffy snowflakes falling!  Just a gentle reminder that winter is not yet over.

I want to remind everyone of the post I placed on the Lac Le Jeune blog on February 12, 2016 regarding some upcoming FireSmart activities with the Kamloops Zone staff (BC Wildfire Service) in the vicinity of Lookout Road (southwest corner of the provincial park) - please go to this post for a summary.

I just spoke with the Kamloops Zone and they are planning on starting the FireSmart activities in a week or two - beginning with the falling of some dead standing trees.  To reduce any potential fire hazards, they intend to reduce the amount of dead timber in the area by falling and burning (in piles).  Their intention is to spend just a few days on-site as soon as possible - and will make sure to minimize noise and potential smoke from their activities.

Again, like my previous post, please contact me if you would like to discuss further.  The Kamloops Zone staff ensure me this is a little project that will have big impact (in regards to creating more of a buffer between the park boundary and the private property residences along Lookout Road).

Thank you - and Welcome Spring!
Michelle Wiebe
Area Supervisor - Thompson Southern Rivers area
BC Parks - Ministry of Environment
Kamloops office
Phone: 250-371-6286
Email: Michelle.Wiebe@gov.bc.ca

Lac Le Jeune Free Disposal Day

When: Sunday, April 10th
What: The TNRD is hosting a free disposal day at the Lac le Jeune transfer station for .
Who: Residents (business and commercial loads require a fee)

In addition, residents may take their household hazardous waste (e.g. labelled corrosive, poisonous, toxic, flammable) for free and proper disposal at the Logan Lake Eco-Depot.

Thank you to Adriana Mailloux from TNRD for passing this information along!

Click image for a larger view

Proposed Road Closure - Goose Lake

The Thompson Nicola District Office is inviting comments regarding the proposed closure of Goose Lake Road.

The proposal is to close approximately 6.8km of Goose Lake Road through the NE1/4 of Section 34, Township 18, Range 18, W6M, KDYD to the SW 1/4 of Section 18, Township 19, Range 17, W6M, KDYD, near the community of Knutsford.

Please provide comments no later than April 11, 2016 via post or email.

#127-447 Columbia Street, Kamloops, BC V2C 2T3 c/o Development Approvals 

TNDistrictdevapps@gov.bc.ca

Click for a larger view

Ajax Mine - Public Comments and Information Sessions

As residents of Lac Le Jeune, we are all probably pretty familiar with the area of the proposed Ajax Mine. If you would like to submit comments or concerns to the Environment Assessment Agencies, you have until April 11, 2016 to do so. Here are the links and the information to make your voice heard.

1. Public Notice: Environmental Assessment of the Proposed Ajax Mine Project — Public Comment Period and Information Sessions
ceaa.gc.ca/050/document-eng.cfm?document=104458 

2. Environmental Assessment Office: Ajax Mine Project - Submit Comments
ajax.projects.eao.gov.bc.ca/public/project/569d3edbbfa11d0c009f92ee

~ Cynthia Swain

Snowshoe Hare

Photo by Hana Struss

"If it is threatened, the snowshoe hare may freeze to take advantage of its camouflaging coloration, or it may flee. Snowshoe hares younger than two weeks, which cannot yet move swiftly, remain immobile." Hinterland Who's Who

Update from Michelle Wiebe, Area Supervisor - BC Parks (Southern Rivers Area)

Hello All!

Thank you to Sylvia Currie and Corinne Schock for inviting me to participate in the Lac Le Jeune Community blog. I believe this will be a great opportunity for me, on behalf of BC Parks, to communicate with the residents in continuing to have an open dialogue in regards to the management of the provincial park.

As you may recall, on September 10, 2015, Sylvia posted a document on the blog I was to present at the LLJ Conservation Association Annual General Meeting.  Since then, I have continued to have conversations with some of you and have made some progress on a few of the items I listed.

FireSmart:
With ongoing conversations with some in the LLJ community, there is an interest to move towards implementing some "FireSmart" principles - particularly in the southwest portion of the park (across the lake from the developed campground).

On February 10, 2016 a Facebook post highlighted some progress the BC Wildfire Service(BCWS) is having in an area of the province with a similar arrangement (provincial park adjacent to private property) - see the link at http://bcwildfire.ca/hprScripts/WildfireNews/DisplayArticle.asp?ID=2579

I have had several meeting with the Kamloops Fire Centre staff (the Kamloops portion of the BCWS) regarding implementing FireSmart principles in this portion of the park for this upcoming field season - depending on the weather (and other BCWS factors) they are anticipating conducting burning activities as early as possible - March 2016 is possible.  Their intent is to minimize any potential risk of fire spreading to the adjacent neighbours should a fire happen to initiate in this part of the provincial park - and implementing FireSmart activities at the time of year that will be the least disruptive to the community and/or users of the park.  I will be working closely with the BCWS so please contact me if you have any questions.

I hope everyone is having a great February and getting outside as much as possible for some "natural therapy."

Thank you again Sylvie and Corinne.

Michelle Wiebe, Area Supervisor - BC Parks (Southern Rivers Area)

Backyard shots

Aren't we lucky to have this going on outside our windows? Photos by Hana Struss.