Housekeeping Services

The Merritt Time Savers are offering housekeeping services in Lac Le Jeune. Call for a free in-home estimate (250) 280-1199.

Three cougars spotted by mailbox

Kim Hammond just reported that she saw three cougars about 200 metres from the mailboxes. Kim is grateful that she was in her vehicle!

Cougars are solitary animals, so to see three together it was likely a mother with young. Cubs stay with the mother for up to 2 years.

If you see a cougar, stay calm and upright, face the animal and make eye contact, and keep your movements slow. Cougars avoid confrontation, so are inclined to move away from you.

Invitation: Environmental Assessment Process Workshops

Download a PDF announcement to print and post on bulletin boards.

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The B.C. Environmental Assessment Office and the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency are inviting the public to participate in workshops on the environmental assessment process on November 25 and 26, 2014 in Kamloops. The workshops will be a great opportunity to learn more about the environmental assessment process in B.C.

The workshops will answer questions like:

• What happens in an environmental assessment?
  
• How can the public participate?
  
• What happens after an environmental assessment?
  
  At the workshops, participants will be able to speak directly with staff from both the B.C. Environmental Assessment Office and the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency. There will also be opportunities to listen to presentations and ask questions.
  
  There will be three workshops held each day and participation will be on a first-come first-served basis.
  
  Where are the workshops being held?
  • Kamloops Coast Hotel and Conference Centre • 1250 Rogers Way in Kamloops, B.C.
  
  When are the workshops happening?
  • Tuesday, November 25, 2014 and Wednesday, November 26, 2014 • 3:00 - 4:00 pm
  • 4:30 - 5:30 pm
  • 6:00 - 7:00 pm
  
  This is a great opportunity for anyone interested in learning more about environmental assessments. While the workshops will focus on the general environmental assessment process, anyone interested in getting information or asking questions about the proposed Ajax Project will be welcome to go down the hall to the Ballroom, where additional government staff and KGHM Ajax Inc. representatives will be happy to discuss the details of that particular project and its environmental assessment. For more information, please see www.eao.gov.bc.ca
  
  The B.C. Environmental Assessment Office and the Canadian Assessment Agency encourage anyone interested in the environmental assessment process to stop by, speak with staff, and get answers to their questions. See you there! 
  

Mid Term Summary of the Results of the Water Monitoring Program

Mid Term Summary of the Results of the Water Monitoring Program 

And Recommendations for Responsible On-going Management of Our Water Resources and Watershed

The water monitoring on October 26, 2014 will mark the date of the last sampling in the three year, level three study of water quality in Lac le Jeune (The Big Lake). There is one more year of sampling to be done on the Little Lake to complete the same level of study there. When this is completed, a full, comprehensive evaluation will be done on the accumulated information for both lakes. 

A more current evaluation for the Big Lake will be carried out as soon as the laboratory analysis of the most recently submitted water samples is available. 

A tentative evaluation of data received after approximately a year and a half of monitoring (a mid-term evaluation) yielded contradictory results^* when comparison was made with accepted, standard, tables. Nutrient levels of phosphates, and nitrates were high enough to indicate that both lakes were already into the Eutrophic stage, while Secchi depth readings and the levels of algae growth (phytoplankton) were indicative of a lake that is in the latter stage of oligotrophic evolution. 

For clarification, lakes fall into three well defined categories: Oligotrophic, Mesotrophic, and Eutrophic. Lakes evolve through these three stages at a rate that is dependent upon the environment in which they are located. For example, if a lake arose as a result of glaciation at a high altitude, within a water-shed composed of bare rock the process will be much slower than one which arose through glaciation but is situated at a low altitude surrounded by rich agricultural land. The definitions are: 

Oligotrophic:

a. deep, frequently cold, low in nutrients and therefore unable to support significant growth of the algae and phytoplankton that are necessary to maintain a good fishery. These lakes are often called “young” but may be very old and if they are glacial lakes may stay for prolonged periods in the Oligotrophic phase.

Mesotrophic:

b. Often said to be in mid-life. These have higher levels of nutrients, support a moderate growth level of algae and phytoplankton and therefore are able to maintain a greater fish and animal population. They are in the process of gradual infilling from both sedimentation and lateral growth of marsh. 

* Modifications were made to the sampling method as the anomalous results were thought to be the result of sampling at the wrong points in the water profile.

Eutrophic:

c. The last phase of a lakes life span. Eutrophic lakes are characterised by heavy growth of aquatic plants, algae and phytoplankton commensurate with high levels of nutrient. Infilling has made these lakes shallow, water warms and cools quickly. The heavy level of growth renders these lakes subject anoxia and therefore winter kill.

Ideally, the final results of our monitoring program will make it possible to define where in the evolutionary progression our Big and Little Lac Le Jeune stand and will provide a base line of information against which future monitoring results may be compared. Doing periodic monitoring in the future will allow us to more quickly recognize undesirable changes and to react to them more quickly and effectively. 

The responsibilities of our community to the maintenance of water quality:

Irrespective of what the final analysis of our study shows, we as a community have a vested interest in managing our water shed and lake in a manner that is most likely to keep them in the best condition possible.

There are a number of simple things we can do to achieve this:

1. Limit the use of fertilizers used on our properties. Green lawns and flower gardens look great but can be a source of added nutrient when rain and domestic watering flush excess phosphates, nitrates and potassium into the lake.

2 Limit the use of pesticides and herbicides as much as possible as many of these are long lived pollutants that have disastrous effects on the environment.  

3. Limit domestic and garden use of water as much as possible. This will lengthen the life span of septic systems and reduce the potential for run off into either the ground water or lake. 

4.Maintain septic systems and holding tanks in good condition. Have aging systems inspected and replace them before they become a problem.

5. Use de-icing salt sparingly. 

6. Where possible replace two cycle gas outboard motors with low polluting four cycle outboards or use electric motors where feasible. 

7. Use watercraft responsibly: maintain speeds that minimize wake, clean boats according to appropriate protocol when transporting water craft to and from different lakes. 

8. Where possible use washing machines and dishwashers that minimize water use and use only non- phosphate detergents. 

9. When constructing docks use only non-toxic materials.

10. Report any observed threat to our environment to appropriate authorities or our Conservation Society. 

Remember, the evolution of lakes from the oligotrophic to the eutrophic state is a natural and continuous process but we can do much to reduce the rate at which it occurs by being responsible stewards of our environment.  

Hugh Burton

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.