Author: lacdesroches

By 100 Mile Free Press

Peter Volger, Lac La Hache:

They’re pushing it a little bit. I like the idea of making available a few more lakeshore lots, but this seems to be a little too much. You’ve got to look at the whole picture as far as the development goes.

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Tom Bachynski, 108 Mile:

I’d say it’s a disaster waiting to happen, financially. The season is too short. I think people would want a little more than that. It’s too far, and spring and fall are not great out there. Pick a new spot.

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Lorna Ross, 103 Mile:

Why not, it is will promote tourism? A lot of people like to golf. Lots of my friends go to Barriere to golf, and some people like to go on golf tours. It would be nice to have something between us and Kamloops.

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Dawn Lavign, Lillooet:

Fine with me. If they figure they’re going to make money, go for it. If people are interested they’ll come. I see plenty drive past Lillooet going to Whistler, and it’s a long drive.

By Lachlan Labere – 100 Mile Free Press

Residents of Green Lake are looking to an official community plan to help manage impending lakefront development in the area.

Gordon Labinsky, Dennis Tupman and Alan Boyd, of the Green Lake Ratepayers’ Association (GLARA), lobbied the Cariboo Regional District (CRD) at its Sept. 17 board meeting for the creation of an Official Community Plan (OCP).

An OCP could help guide and manage the lake’s growing population while protecting the lake itself from environmental degradation.

“Green Lake is in high demand for permanent and recreational residential development,” said Labinsky. “In my 30 years as a Green Lake taxpayer, I’ve seen this lake evolve from an area where most people came for a few weeks to camp on their 21-year recreational lease lots, to the present day where many are choosing to retire and live full time.”

Labinsky explained how he had seen the population of Green Lake grow to 850 residences, and how the lake’s infrastructure grew in concurrence,

“In the early years we accessed our properties on a poorly maintained gravel road with no hydro power,” he said. “Now we have paved road, hydro power, natural gas, telephone service, a fire department, school bus service and a waste transfer station.”

Further growth wouldn’t bode well with the lake being extremely vulnerable to environmental degradation, he commented.

“Green Lake is officially classed as having zero flow-through, which essentially means it’s a very large pond with no natural flushing action,” he said. “And whatever pollutants enter the lake stay in the lake.”

Because Green Lake is divided by two regional districts, with the south end in the Thompson-Nicola Regional District (TNRD), GLARA has been appealing to both districts to come together for the creation of an OCP.

“I think what really kick-started this whole thing was a meeting we had with BC Land and Water Inc,” said Tupman. “They told us we should get a community plan in no uncertain terms.”

Tupman said that if BC Land and Water, Inc. were to come into Green Lake with a similar, aggressive plan for residential development as it has for Lac des Roches, there would be a revolution.

“But that’s something we’re trying to avoid,” added Tupman, who emphasized that GLARA was not against development. “We have to be pro-active on it, avoid problems and manage it. That’s the key.”

Showing her support, CRD Director Maureen Pinkney informed the GLARA congregation during the meeting that a request to start negotiations with the TNRD over the matter had already been made, and that the CRD would be looking into an OCP for Green Lake next year.

There were others seeking OCPs as well, and that with constraints of time and money, a plan for Green Lake wouldn’t be immediately forthcoming.

“The trouble is we have lots of people who want OCPs,” said Director Al Richmond. “So getting it into the hopper and getting it done is going to be the biggest task. Certainly our board is moving forward to keeping OCPs, and trying to get more in place.”

An OCP for Green Lake would provide structure, before human settlement becomes unmanageable.

“The human settlement aspects is the real enemy of all these lakes, not just Green Lake,” said Labinsky. “It’s human settlement that has the impact on the lake. Unless you can manage that, you end up losing water quality and the visual quality around these lakes. That’s something a community plan would address.”

By Bill Jollymore, Lac des Roches – 100 Mile Free Press

(To) Reporter Lachlan Labere,

Re: Lac des Roches Development

In reading your article of the Lac des Roches development, (Free Press, Sept. 1), I cannot explain how offended I feel by the remarks of Mr. Robin Levesque, at the Rod Lake Hall meeting on August 25.

According to the propaganda put out by our governments, both federal and provincial, they speak of compassion, tolerance and ‘for the people’.

With his remarks I feel as though I have been run through by the sabre of a tyrant wedded by a dictatorial oppressive bully leader.

I always thought we had a democracy here. In a real democracy the people have a voice and tell the government what they want done for them, not to them. In a real democracy the majority rules.

Now we have a few wanting to wreak havoc on a land. We have many in opposition, but the plan of the few will prevail, according to Mr. Levesque.

The time has come to advise our legislators, ministers and the premier where we stand. I, for one, will not stand by and be run roughshod over by bullies who are the people’s employees.

By Diana Forster – 100 Mile Free Press

Antipathy bests sums up residents’ attitude to a huge proposal for Lac des Roches and Birch Lake which – in theory – could max out at development of 35 per cent of shoreline.

Current lakeside development is eight per cent.

At the Aug. 25 Land and Water B.C. Inc. (LWBC) public information meeting at Interlakes Hall, the standing-room only audience relaxed a little on learning that “the earliest start would be 2006,” that the project would take 10 – 15 years, and nothing will proceed without future public hearings.

An actual written proposal is first required, followed by relevant rezoning applications. Both remain in the future.

LWBC’s Robin Levesque promised one month’s notice of public hearings to all those who had signed in at the meeting.

Resounding applause acknowledged resident Barry Reid’s declaration: “That is a beautiful lake, and you don’t have the right to destroy it.”

A residents’ ‘lakes association’ will closely monitor the situation. The association, called Friends of Lac des Roches and Birch Lake, has called a meeting for 7 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 16 at Bridge Lake School.

By The Interlaker

Over 100 concerned residents of the Interlakes Area flooded into the Interlakes Hall on Wednesday, August 25, 2004, to listen to Robin Levesque, Manager, Major Projects, Land and Water British Columbia Inc. (LAWBCI). Mr. Levesque gave a presentation on the proposed development of Crown Land at Lac des Roches (98 lots) and Birch Lake (130 lots) which includes two lodges and a commercial sector. This meeting disseminated information that was gathered from the 125 individuals who attended the information kiosk at Eagle Island Resort from August 2-7.

Mr. Levesque stated that LAWBCI’s mandate is to proactively seek development opportunities by the marketing of Crown Land on behalf of the province. The Lac des Roches and Birch Lake area was one of the first sites picked because it had developed lakes in the area, highway access, favorable topography and already had a thriving cottage industry. He stated the vision of the proposed development was to create an award winning, environmentally sensitive, all season lakeside resort and residential community.

LAWBCI needs to identify the issues and the potential opportunities. He said these were the concerns identified at the weeklong information sessions:

• Water quality and supply
• Wildlife habitat
• Boating concerns
• Density and extent of development
• Security and emergency services
• Sustainability

A second survey was passed out at this meeting. There will be a further evaluation of the issues as a result of this survey with an overall plan being formulated. This plan will then be taken to the Thompson Nicola Regional District (TNRD) for rezoning.

Mr. Levesque stated that the rezoning process could take awhile, as an environment impact study and fire hazard study would be part of the rezoning process. He said that an independent professional biologist would undertake the impact study. The request for rezoning will not be based upon a finalized subdivision plan, but on an area basis only. Further meetings will also be held with Fish and Wildlife branches. When asked if the public could attend these meetings, he did not reply, but stated that they would have to get a larger meeting room.

Mr. Levesque then asked for questions or comments from the floor. Most of the residents at the meeting were not in favor of the proposal. The issues identified were maintaining the water quality and the concern over increased water putrefaction. Further development on Lac des Roches will decrease the water quality. It was noted that this water then progresses through Birch Lake, which is also going to have further development, thereby affecting the water quality even more. When asked what type of purchased water and sewer systems would accommodate the proposed cluster housing, (read smaller lots), Mr. Levesque could not answer the question, but stated that the technology was out there.

There were concerns raised about fish and wildlife habitat and what was going to be done to preserve it. Also, the end of Lac des Roches has several pairs of nesting loons. This is exactly the location of a proposed bridge. Mr. Levesque stated that a professional biologist would be walking the area to map all the important features. Mr. Levesque stated that proposal calls would be solicited and that a joint venture would be entered into with a developer, although there has not been any specific developer showing any interest right now.

One part-time resident who has a summer home at Lac des Roches and lives in the TNRD stated that we would have to be wary of the TNRD, as they seem to make changes to their policies on an ongoing basis, to fit the needs of each development.

When asked if the environment impact study would be available at the rezoning public meetings, Mr. Levesque stated that it was public information, but that we would have to pay for photocopying costs. He did promise to give residents one month’s notice before the public hearing process.

The meeting ended with comments about the need for a citizen’s association that can speak with a united voice on this issue. Most people were not in favour of this development and a united voice may help to downsize the proposed development. This is only the beginning of the development on these two lakes. What will happen in 20 years?

Interestingly, CRD Area Director Maureen Pinkney was present, but TNRD Area Director, Bill Kershaw was not.

By Lachlan Labere – 100 Mile Free Press

Nothing residents say will keep the province from selling and developing Crown land in the Lac des Roches area.

This was the message Robin Levesque, regional manager of Development and Marketing for Land and Water British Columbia (LWBC), had for the approximately 90 concerned citizens who attended a meeting Aug. 25 at the Interlakes Hall.

Levesque has been busy meeting with residents of the South Cariboo and Thompson soliciting input on the proposed development.

“What we’ve done is establish a fair process to come out to the community, and find out what the interests are and what is important,” said Levesque to the overwhelmingly unsupportive audience. “You cannot simply tell me to walk away, because I will not. It’s not my job to walk away.”

The LWBC, a Crown corporation, has unveiled a proposal for a massive development at Lac des Roches, Birch Lake and Montana Lake. The Crown land in question lies within the Thompson-Nicola Regional District (TNRD).

The TNRD guidelines allow the LWBC the potential to develop 98 additional residential units at Lac des Roches, 130 at Birch Lake and 61 at Montana Lake.

“Even these numbers are not set in stone,” said Levesque. “This is what the designation allows. In certain areas, for example Birch Lake, I don’t think we can accommodate 130 properties on that lake. Obviously we’re going to have to look at a reduced number and transfer that density to the core of the development or not develop them at all.”

Though some developers have expressed interest, none have committed to the project, said Levesque.

“It’s horrible,” said Lac des Roches resident Marie Wallewein. “They’re going to take away all the pristine wilderness that’s out there. You bring in all these people with all these boats and ATV’s and all these snowmobiles, and you’ll just kill it.”

Wallewein’s husband, Al, was also concerned that a increase in population could result in an increase in criminal activity.

“It will bring all sorts of crime here,” he said. “All the houses that aren’t occupied in the winter are going to have more break-ins.”

Rod Maclead, a seasonal resident of Lac des Roches for 41 years as well as a former forester in the area, was concerned over the environmental impact on the lake.

“The turnover of this lake could be easily 20 years – the time it takes the water to completely change,” said Macleod. “So any contamination you get from increased development is going to have a very permanent effect.”

Janet Ames, who lives in the Bridge Lake area, questioned the practicality of choosing to develop the Lac des Roches area.

“I think it’s impractical to sell this type of development here, because there’s no demand for it,” said Ames. “I think it will be a hard sell.”

During the question-and-answer portion, one of the more impassioned presentations denouncing the development came from recent Lac des Roches resident Barry Reid.

“I don’t know where Land and Water BC got the right to take Crown land, which is an inheritance for my children and your children, and turn it into a private resort,” said Reid to a cheering crowd. “I can tell you there are a large number of people in this room who are going to be there every time you turn around. This is a beautiful lake, and you don’t have the right to destroy it.”

Following the meeting, Reid further elaborated on his frustration over the proposed development to the Free Press.

“People moved here, because they like it the way it is,” said Reid. “It’s not as if we’re trying to keep people out – not in my backyard. This isn’t our backyard. It’s our front yard, our home.”

Levesque said people can state their case through public hearings. However, he would like to address concerns prior to reaching that process while the project is still in its preliminary stages and there is flexibility to accommodate those concerns.

Levesque encouraged concerned citizens to form a property owners’ association.

“That would be great, because then we’d have a specific group to work with, work through those issues, and at the end of the day, hopefully come to some sore of resolution,” said Levesque.

One of those resolutions will not be a total abandonment of the project.

“If the only thing that’s going to make you happy is no development then I can pretty much assure you you’re not going to be happy,” said Levesque. “We need to find that middle ground where we can make more people happy.”

Many in the audience took up Levesque’s suggestion to form an association, which Reid began to organize.

“I had no intention of spearheading anything,” said Reid, who explained he was just tired of not being heard. “Decisions are made, and they say we’ll listen to what you have to say, but there’s nothing that happens. And to suggest that were going to listen to your concerns and then have no action that follows in meaningless.”

Reid can be reached at 593-4964 regarding the association.

The LWBC will be collecting the information gathered over the past month, and meeting with the TNRD to continue the process.

“We’ll be looking for items like an archaeological overview, environmental impact study and those types of things,” said Levesque. “We need to know what those items are before we move onto an actual application.”

As well, Levesque will be attending a meeting of 20 or so fishing and wildlife enthusiasts in Kamloops with questions about the project.

For more details visit <a href=”http://www.urban-systems.com/clients/lacdesroches”>www.urban-systems.com/clients/lacdesroches</a>, or call Robin Levesque at (250) 377-7021.

By Jim Farrell, Victoria – 100 Mile Free Press

To the Editor:

I have enjoyed the relative unspoilt beauty of Lac des Roches on a regular basis since the mid-1960s. I have canoed its shoreline, hiked the surrounding hills on many, many occasions and as a result probably have a better understanding and appreciation for this lake matched by only a very few, long term Lac des Roches residents/land owners.

I find it appalling that you are considering further ‘development’ of this lake, knowing the collective negative impact the relatively few seasonal residents on Boultbee and McArthy roads and guests of the lakeside resorts have had on Lac des Roches over the years.

Wildlife once was common in the area, namely bear, moose, otters and beaver are now rarely seen. Further development of Lac des Roches would rid them from this landscape forever.

Nesting sites for osprey, eagles, heron, merganzer, loons and goldeneye have dwindled – take for example, the pond at the east end of Boultbee Road that someone in their wisdom drained dry three years ago.

Fortunately, this spring, and thanks to the efforts of one of the few remaining beavers, this pond is now back to its original state and supporting a healthy population of birds and insects.

The choke between Eagle Island and the lake’s shoreline once teamed with nesting birds. Now, constant motorboat traffic through this most sensitive of areas has resulted in most of the nesting sites being abandoned.

It is also my observation that the once prolific hatches of mayflies and sedges at the ‘sunken island’ – a popular fishing spot near the south shoreline – have been decimated by the oil from numerous fly fisherman’s outboard motors. On many occasions I have noted a film of oil on the lakes surface, especially during calm weather in June and July, and during ‘prime’ hatching conditions.

I have come across Native artifacts, old trapper’s cabins, fresh water springs and unusual geological formations – all in my opinion should be protected.

Your proposed development plans – along with the casinos, drive-in restaurants, used car lots, high-powered motorboats, noise pollution and ‘day campers’ who will have little respect for this most pristine, fragile environment – will surely follow.

The visual beauty of Lac des Roches, along with the surrounding countryside and the wildlife it supports, should and must be left undisturbed and exempt from any further development.

By Lachlan Labere – 100 Mile Free Press

Resident Bill Jollymore said a government plan for developing residential properties around Lac des Roches and Birch Lake could be an economic and environmental disaster.

The province, through Land and Water British Columbia, Inc. (LWBC), is seeking to sell and develop Crown land around Lac des Roches and Birch Lake. Proposed are 500 full-time residential units, a hotel and a golf course.

“Our goal and vision in this case is to bring economic activity to the area,” said Robin Levesque, the LWBC regional manager of Development and Marketing. “Our job is to add value to Crown land before we sell it. We do that by reducing risk for a potential developer through mechanisms like rezoning or official community plan redesignations”.

Assisting Levesque, who is managing the project for the Crown corporation, is consultant Therese Zulninick of Urban Systems Ltd.

Though the plan is in its very early stages, Jollymore, who along with his wife, has been a resident of Lac des Roches since August 2001, is not at all impressed with what he’s seen so far.

“We looked at the plan,” said Jollymore. “The consultant was available to explain the factors involved about what’s going to happen. I think it will be an absolute devastation.”

Jollymore and his wife live at Lac des Roches for 10 months of the year. And though he doesn’t claim to be an environmentalist, he is passionate about the area.

“The impact on the environment and wildlife and the assets of the area would be astronomical,” said Jollymore. “You’re going to have 500 new boats, 500 snowmobiles and 600 ATVs. When you put 500 boats on the lake with 500 motors putting effluent in the water – it doesn’t make sense.”

Jollymore was even less impressed when he was told by a planning consultant from Urban Systems Ltd. that all environmental rules, regulations and covenants would be the responsibility of the developer and not the government.

“You know what that’s like,” said Jollymore. “When there’s profit involved, you’re looking at the fox guarding the hen house.”

Jollymore questions the attempt to sell the land in the first place.

“The government’s idea according to this thing was the consultants were to look for a pristine lake with pristine wilderness that could carry the capacity of 500 homes,” said Jollymore. “They looked at a lot of them and this was the one they selected. So now they’re going to sell the citizens’ inheritance and that of their children – of Crown land – for a quick profit.”

Gordon Marshall, a realtor in 100 Mile for over 31 years, also lives at Lac des Roches.

“I can’t imagine a developer sticking his neck out to do this,” said the retiree. “It’s a wonderful idea, but the location is wrong.”

He said the potential infrastructure costs involved would be in the millions.

Levesque said LWBC is looking at developing up to 500 two-and-a-half acre lots with shared systems for utilities such as water and sewage disposal.

Marshall said this was tried at Ace High Resort at Watch Lake.

“The previous owner tried this process of making a stratified system where they offered a sewer connection, a water connection and a garbage collection system,” said Marshall. “It never flew. We tried to market if for two years, and we couldn’t get anyone interested at $43,000 a lot.”

Marshall estimates the costs for the Lac des Roches project could push the property cost to over $100,000 a lot for infrastructure costs alone.

Jollymore ad Marshall both noted that another significant issue would be electricity.

“The power line that’s out this way now is at its absolute maximum,” said Marshall. “It actually reaches a brownout stage in the coldest weather of the year. They would have to upgrade the line all the way from Lone Butte to out this end, or put a new power line in from Little Fort. You’re talking millions to do a ob like that.”

Lac des Roches falls within the Thompson-Nicola Regional District (TNRD) and the Cariboo Regional District (CRD). The area the LWBC is focusing on lies in the TNRD.

The majority of the population of Lac des Roches and Birch Lake reside in the CRD, which provides policing and fire services. Currently there are no such services in the immediate area on the TNRD side, nor are there plans for such services.

There are also no plans for other services such as hospitals and schooling.

“I’d asked the consultant that, and we were told there’ll be nothing like that,” said Jollymore. “They’d have to depend on Little Fort for grade school, Barriere or Clearwater for high school, Kamloops for a hospital and Clearwater for RCMP, Conservation Officer and ambulance service.”

Marshall said distance and weather would deter residents from wanting to travel to surrounding communities for basic services.

“That’s the other part that’s a joke,” said Marshall. “We have the most severe weather in the whole of the 100 Mile area because of the elevation.”

Jollymore is doubtful potential buyers would want to live there year-round.

“I don’t think a bunch of people from the Coast who have never seen a Cariboo winter will want to come and spend a winter where it’s minus 40,” said Jollymore.

Jollymore added there isn’t an economy in the immediate area that could support employment.

“These people won’t be able to drive to Kamloops to work, and there are no job opportunities in 100 Mile,” Jollymore commented. “They’re going to build a hotel and it would probably employ 40 to 50 minimum wage people, but that’s not economic development.”

And neither Marshall nor Jollymore could see the hotel open ear-round.

Levesque said that the LWBC is still in an information gathering stage and citizens’ concerns will be taken into account.

“We are very concerned about what they’re looking at and about getting their input as much as possible,” said Levesque.

Levesque and Zulninick held a week-long open house in early August, and will be at public meetings (4-6 p.m.) Aug. 18 in Little Fort and Aug. 25 at Roe Lake to share what they’ve heard.

“We need to look at alternative scenarios,” said Levesque. “And that’s what this is all about is to get some meaningful consultation going so that we can represent as best as possible what the people in the area desire.”

Levesque said that the LWBC is working within TNRD and CRD guidelines, and that both regional districts and local government will play a part in monitoring all development and enforcing each of their own respective environmental guidelines.

These guidelines will be applied to all aspects of development, said Levesque, encouraging better services such as water treatment and sewage.

We’re looking at a shared well or a packaged system for the sewer that cleans the water before it puts it back in the ground, with the idea of protecting the lake the best we can.”

The LWBC is also looking at boating restrictions.

“A lot of people felt we should limit the use of speedboats and Sea Doos on this lake.”

Darron Campbell, the CRD Communications supervisor, said any development done within the CRD’s jurisdiction will follow CRD guidelines.

“We have a commitment from LWBC and Urban Systems to come and do a formal referral and presentation to the CRD,” said Campbell. “At that point we’ll do a formal review of the plan, we’ll put it against our development criteria, like our Shoreline Management Strategy and our Interlakes Area Community Plan… and judge it.”

In the Lac des Roches proposal, 80 lots on the CRD side have been drawn out for development. Levesque said these lots have faced even more opposition that those on the TNRD side.

“That’s one of the proposals that’s not getting a lot of support,” said Levesque. “In fact it’s getting a lot of opposition, so those are the ones we really need to rethink.”

Levesque said the LWBC will be meeting with the CRD.

“It’s a shared lake so we need to get their involvement in terms of what types of density regulations they look at on their side and things like that,” said Levesque. “We act very much as a private developer in the sense that we follow municipal rules. We don’t just say we’re the government and to heck with you, we can do whatever we want.”

Though some developers have expressed interest in the project, said Levesque, there isn’t anyone specific lined up.

“In terms of successful development for this project, it will be determined through a joint-venture proposal call, said Levesque. “So it will be a competitive process open to anyone.”

However, because the LWBC has not yet determined the total scope of the project. Levesque could not estimate costs developers may face.

Jollymore, however, believes the cost will be great regardless of the scope.

“It’s of a tremendous magnitude, and I can see lots of pitfalls with it other than the fact that it may not fly, which I don’t know if it will,” said Jollymore. “Even if they scratch the ground and abandon it you’ve got a mess.”

By Lachlan Labere – 100 Mile Free Press

A plan to develop Lac des Roches and Birch Lake has united the area’s residents who have a variety of concerns.

The Friends of Lac des Roches and Birch Lake was formed in response to an Aug. 25 meeting between locals and Land and Water British Columbia (LWBC). The Crown corporation is proposing residential development on both lakes.

The Friends held their first official meeting Sept. 16 at the Bridge Lake Community School to establish an executive and discuss possible directions it could take.

“There are a lot of really good people who are kind of anxious in some ways and nervous in other ways,” said Barry Reid, a member of the executive. “And yet they know what they want and what they don’t want. I think it’s going to come together very nicely.”

On the agenda for the night were two options. One was to oppose the project outright. The other was a lengthy outline of concerns that would have to be addressed if development were to proceed in the area.

Though Reid had respect for all sides of the debate, he concluded that some development would be inevitable.

“There were people at the meeting last night who were adamantly opposed to any further development of any kind,” said Reid. “But I think, generally speaking, most of the people there were thinking well, that’s not realistic. We can’t close the door to everything.”

LWBC has been meeting off-and-on with residents and soliciting input regarding a proposed residential development. The plan could see up to 98 additional properties being built on Lac des Roches, 130 at Birch Lake and 61 at Montana Lake. A hotel and golf course have also been mentioned.

“I think that if we can ever kind of get together with the Land and Water BC people, I think there might be some points of contact where the confrontation might be waylaid a little,” said Reid. “We might be able to come up with some reasonable option that will make it possible for people to feel more comfortable with some of the things that are on there.”

Two more meetings are scheduled – Sept. 22 and 29 at 7 p.m. at the Bridge Lake School library.

Despite how well Friends have united, Reid held a cautious optimism about the fate of the lakes.

“There’s a certain reality that’s going to intervene on our behalf, I think,” said Reid. “How it’s going to end up, I don’t know.”