Category: 2004 Press Coverage

By Loraine Jollymore, Bridge Lake – 100 Mile Free Press

To the Editor:

As a member of the Friends of Lac des Roches and Birch Lake, I would like to voice my objection to the government’s plan to sell Crown land at the east end of Lac des Roches.

I spent an hour April 17 adding up the properties listed for sale in the real estate supplement of the current edition of the 100 Mile House Free Press.

I found the following. Waterfront: 29 homes, 11 cabins or mobile homes, 46 lots, 16 larger acreage and 11 resorts.

Properties with water view and/or water access were harder to identify, but I could definitely find 34 homes, 10 mobiles or cabins, 67 lots and three larger acreage. There were also four guest ranches listed without waterfront or view.

This supplement covers a large area, and although this was not a scientific count, it shows a total of 216 properties and I’m sure there are many more.

It seems strange to me that Land and Water BC has decided to go into competition with the local real estate market with the plans to sell to a developer property for up to 500 homes and cluster cottages.

Land and Water stated that there is a demand for recreational and year-round properties and yet I drive by the same ‘for sale’ signs every time I go to town.

There are developments on Watch, Green and Deka lakes that have been waiting for buyers for years. Some of the lots have changed hands several times, but to date have not had a home or cottage built on them.

There is a large development overlooking Lac des Roches that has been on the market for several years and has only one foundation (with a cease and desist order on it).

Strange indeed, that the original plans for Lac des Roches and Birch Lakes includes two hotels and a golf course.

There is a golf course laid out in the development at Watch Lake but it has never been built. Strange that there are 11 commercial resorts for sale in an area where Land and Water BC plan to add two hotels.

I’m not sure where Land and Water BC got their information on the development needs for this area, but I would recommend they go back to the drawing board and take another look before they totally destroy a beautiful lake with unneeded homes and hotels.

By Robert Koopmans – The Daily News, Kamloops

Plan to build resort on lake pits residents against government.

Without question, the Nehalliston Plateau is lake county, in the midst of some of Interior B.C.’s most beautiful forests.

Fly over the area in a plane and you will see scores upon scores of blue shimmering jewels – some large, others small. Many are pristine, barely touched by human hands, or close to it.

Lac des Roches is perhaps the area’s crown jewel. A long, sprawling lake along Highway 24 about 100 kilometers north of Kamloops, its jagged shorelines, jutting islands and narrow channels give it a beauty that shines even here, among so many glorious others.

The lake is home to 24 year-round residents, people prepared to tough out the winters to enjoy the solitude and natural experience the lake and area offer. There are also more than 100 summer properties, built up over more than 35 years of slow-paced development.

If the Liberal government has its way, however, Lac des Roches could also be home to a 500-home subdivision, a golf course and maybe even a hotel or two.

In 2004, Land and Water B.C. (LWBC) announced an ambitious development proposal for the lake, a concept mapped out by its planners, a plan that will see the subdivision circle the east end of the lake. The golf course would span the short distance between Lac des Roches and nearby Birch Lake.

With its blueprint in hand, LWBC set out to find a developer. Requests for proposals were sought in January and the Crown corporation was set to announce a proponent for the project March 21.

That announcement has been delayed, however, and is now expected after the election. There is talk the proposal will be smaller when it re-emerges after May 17, perhaps with only 228 houses and one hotel.

Regardless, the government’s plan for Lac des Roches mystifies Bill Jollymore, who retired to a lakeside cabin with his wife about four years ago.

Others in the small community are equally baffled, and most everyone is opposed. Not because they object to the idea of more development, but the biggest objection is the government is trying to flog a plan no one believes is needed, or even wanted.

Never has a private developer expressed public interest in building a large-scale project on Lac des Roches, said Jollymore. Likewise, never has there been significant market interest in recreational property on the lake.

There are 200 or so developable lots on Lac des Roches as it is now, yet only 50 per cent of them have been developed to any extent. The rest sit empty and idle, waiting for attention.

“It is appalling, the idea of it is just unbelievable,” he said. “The ministries charged with protecting the environment are not really protective agencies at all.

“I couldn’t believe they would even consider such (a proposal) in such a pristine area, that is so highly sensitive.”

Gordon Marshall is a recently retired realtor and ‘card-carrying Liberal” who spent a big part of his time listing and selling Lac des Roches properties. His is one of the “Friends of Lac des Roches,” a protest group formed to try to steer the government off its course.

Marshall said he doesn’t trust the Liberal government much when it comes to balancing what it believes to be the economic benefit of the proposal against the impacts on the environment and lake residents.

“We will be impacted, but we have no voice,” said Marshall.

He said the fact the Liberals have handed LWBC what seems at times limitless ability to move forward in such fashion is indicative of how this government views environmental issues overall.

Marshall, Jollymore and others living on the lake see a political body intent on marketing the natural assets of the province, even if the capitalization comes on the backs of residents, or at the expense of wildlife and natural values.

“If they don’t like the rules, they change them to fit,” said Marshall. “They are interested in selling Crown land because they own it, and they need money.”

“But you know, they don’t own it,” said Larry Citra, a resident on nearby Montana Lake, in response. “We do. It’s a corporate attitude – they want to sell the province to make money.”

The ice is still on Lac des Roches in mid-April, the sun not yet warm enough to crack the dying winter’s shell.

But the signs of break-up are here. The ice is graying and a great split has formed across the middle of the lake, a twisting line that seems to signal the conflict of opposing natural forces.

Ironically, the ice split is not far off another line, an artificial division that splits the lake into two different political regions. On the east side of the line, the Thompson-Nicola Regional District has control, while the Cariboo Regional District rules Lad Des Roches’ west end.

The LWBC proposal is on the TNRD side of the lake.

The Cariboo Regional District deemed Lac des Roches a “highly sensitive lake,” and has labeled it undevelopable, while the TNRD believes the lake is suited for commercial development.

One of the big concerns for the CRD is the slow rate of natural flushing through the lake. It’s believed it takes five to seven years for the lake to completely flush itself.

And with the pas two summers of drought, the lake’s level is falling, heightening the concern for the impact of development on water quality.

Sharron Woloshyn said she is disappointed the provincial government has ignored what is obviously a significant split between two levels of local government.

She believes the Liberals have a duty to explore the issue of Lac des Roches environmental sensitivity, before embarking on a project that could have significant impact on wildlife, water quality, and liveability.

She has written many letters to government seeking answers to concerns she has about the proposed development’s impact. She wants a thorough environmental assessment, but has received no commitment such a study will happen.

“We don’t seem to get any kind of say,” Woloshyn said, “It’s boggling.”

Mike Carter, LWBC’s vice president of strategic initiatives, said it’s appropriate for the Crown corporation to jump start the development process in this fashion.

“It’s driven by a (Liberal) commitment – and this goes back to Day 1 from this particular government – a commitment to see Crown land used as a stimulus for economic development.

“It’s been part of the platform from Day 1. The financial return comes from the fact government won’t undertake these activities unless there is a reasonable expectation that they will actually meet the market demand.”

And an aging population is showing increasing demand for recreational waterfront property, he said. Lad des Roches was identified as a plausible site after an exhaustive study of the area and its hundreds of lakes.

Carter denied this project is just about the sale of Crown land. A development like this represents a significant economic boost to an area, he said and it’s appropriate for government to identify projects that can stimulate the economy.

In the end, the market will determine if the idea becomes reality. Carter said the final proposal for Lac des Roches will likely by revised from what was “floated out” by LWBC in the early stages.

“That’s something the developer will have to deal with in terms of what the market will demand. It may end up being much less dense than what was originally proposed.”

LWBC will maintain a role as this development moves forward, Carter added.

“We see this as a bit of a showcase, we want to see this done correctly,” Carter said. “We will maintain a role as we move forward.

“It’s possible we may have an ongoing financial relationship (with the developer) as well.”

Marshall doesn’t believe LWBC’s vision for Lac des Roches will amount to much.

The cost of developing the proposal will be staggering – the plans call for a proper water and sewer system – and he can’t see how any developer will be willing to take on such a risk.

“I think it’s just a dream land for the government,” he said.

Marshall said he is more worried the government and LWBC will press ahead with the proposal, encourage a developer, sell the land and then do nothing after the project fails. By that time, roads may have been cut, land graded and lots leveled – scars that may never heal.

He also worries that the government will recognize the proposal is too costly and relax environmental requirements to make it more attractive.

“Only the government can do it this way. They are using our money to do it,” said Citra. “I don’t trust this government at all.”

“Are they going to do this somewhere else?,” asked Jollymore. “It’s absolute total destruction and selling off of the province. (The government) is determined to sell it.”

By Lachlan Labere – 100 Mile Free Press

A local organization determined to save the Lac des Roches area from a proposed large scale development project recently discovered they’re not alone in their fight.

The Friends of Lac des Roches and Birch Lake group is now one of several similar grassroots organizations found at www.lwbcwatch.org, a Web site designed to unite those engaged in a similar struggle with Land and Water British Columbia, Inc. (LWBC.) The crown corporation is charged with the provincial government’s mandate to accelerate economic development by increasing access to Crown lands and resources.

“I was getting calls from all over B.C. – people such as your community who have gone through these things,” said the Web site’s creator Ed Jewer.

For the past 10 months he has been fighting to prevent the LWBC sale of public land on Vancouver Island.

“We’re going to try and develop it in a way that helps connect these different communities and give them maybe better ideas of how they can deal with LWBC…. In the end really, by law, they have the right to do what they’re doing, so we have very few options, but we do have some options. We’re hoping we can share some of these ideas with people.”

Friends formed September 2004 in response to a series of LWBC consultation meetings. LWBC representatives explained their intent to enhance the value of property around Lac des Roches, along with neighbouring Birch Lake and Montana Lake, and make it attractive for developers. The proposal includes the development of residential units, two hotels and a golf course.

Concerned residents packed the Roe Lake Hall Aug. 25 for one of the meetings. Robin Levesque, the regional manager of Development and Marketing for LWBC, indicated there was little residents could do to stop LWBC.

“You cannot simply tell me to walk away because I will not,” Levesque said last August. “It’s not my job to walk away.”

Since their formation the opposition group has kept busy circulating petitions to stop the project due to environmental concerns.

“In fact. Lac des Roches at 1,166 meters, is known as the second most photographed lake in B.C.,” said Bill Jollymore, the spokesperson for the group. “This development is far too massive for this sensitive area.”

The struggle recently took on new life with the discovery of Jewer’s site.

Jewer is the co-coordinator for the Lost Trials Wetlands, an organization on East Vancouver Island engaged in a fight against LWBC to save what they’ve determined to be a 142.5 hectare, ecologically sensitive area north of Qualicum Beach. Along with blue- and red-listed plant species, the land also contains close to 300 of the province’s rapidly diminishing old growth Douglas Fir.

“It’s a bit different here than it is in your area, because on the east coast of Vancouver Island, we had what was called the ENN Land Grant in 1880, and (the community of) Dunsmuir was basically given the east coast of Vancouver Island, 20 kilometers on either side of the railway as payment for the railway,” Jewer said. “So a lot of it is private land. We only have five per cent of Crown land within this area, and because it’s such a popular place for people to move right now, LWBC is aggressively selling off that five per cent.

In the rest of B.C., I believe about 95 per cent of the land base is Crown, and five per cent is private, but here it’s reverse. But even that argument isn’t of any value to them whatsoever.”

Andrew Gage is a lawyer with West Coast Environmental Law who has taken interest in LWBC. Gage said LWBC began as the Whistler Land Corp., which in 1983 oversaw the development and marketing of Crown land in the Village of Whistler. In 1997 the provincial government expanded its mandate, around the same time the company changed its name to the BC Assets and Land Corp. (BCAL). In 2002 BCAL became LWBC.

“With BCAL, the idea was that whenever they wanted to sell surplus land that they really should have someone there to aggressively market it and make sure the public gets the best return for their money,” said Gage. “…What LWBC has effectively done is declared anything that they aren’t restricted under the Lands Act from selling – which is almost everything – open for business. They actually say that in their policy as a general rule, public lands are available for sale or lease.”

Gage said that LWBC has a mandate to maximize the government revenue from public lands. LWBC receives a percentage based on how much it sells. Forecasts in LWBC’s Service Plan for 1005/2006 to 2007/2008 said the province will receive between at least $87,879 and up to $91,432 each year from 2004 – 2008 from LWBC sales.

“So there’s a strong incentive for LWBC to be more than just a neutral arbitrator of what the public should be selling and not selling, and much more of a ‘where can se get the biggest buck?'” Gage said.

A major concern shared by Gage, Jollymore and Jewer Is the speed at which LWBC operates. Jewer said he didn’t know LWBC’s plans for the Lost Trail Wetlands property until he saw ‘For Sale’ signs posted.

“And at the time we were seeing the signs go up, I was informed there was only a two week listing date, and after two weeks they would have basically picked the highest bidder,” Jewer said.

Gage added the Friends of Lac des Roches group is lucky to have had the luxury of public consultation.

“The fact that they held these public meetings before they went to try and do a rezoning is actually an improvement over some areas,” said Gage. “It’s good that they’re having public meetings in advance, even if they have no intention of changing their mind.”

George Abbott, the province’s Sustainable Resource Management Minister, said that “LWBC is operating at a fast pace.” Yet according to the LWBC communications person, Gayle Downey, the amount of land that is being sold is 10,000 to 11,000 hectares per year.

“It’s not like there’s a huge increase in the amount of land that’s for sale,” she said. “In 2004, there were 150,000 hectares of Crown land set aside for parks, ecological reserves, and expanded parks. And by comparison, only 10,000 hectares of Crown land sold.”

LWBC’s Service Plan said that in addition to accelerating economic development in key sectors, “the corporation is committed to reducing the regulatory burden and providing a more streamlined business approach in order to achieve improved investor confidence and economic growth.”

Gage added that LWBC invests significant time and public dollars before making its intentions public.

“It’s not that LWBC won’t consider alternatives and tailor things a bit differently when/if there’s another public opposition,” Gage said. “What’s more of concern is just that they’ve actually done so much before even notifying the public about what’s going on so it’s got this momentum, and the public has already spent a lot of money getting them to where they are before the public never gets a chance to comment on whether that’s’s the appropriate direction.”

Downey said the public has opportunity for input through the process, but there have been no further consultation meetings scheduled as there is not proponent.

Jollymore recently returned from the Kamloops Gun and Antique Show March 19-20, where he and the Friends of Lac des Roches and Birch Lake had a booth and petitions.

“My wife put up a gook with pages of all the other Web sites and all the other problems in the province and this one and pictures of the lake from the air and the schematics of the proposed buildings,” Jollymore said. “We got about 300 signatures Saturday, and yesterday…we had about another 100. People are just burned up. Some of them have never heard of it. Some who have heard didn’t know really what was going on.”

So far 700 signatures have been gathered. He was invited to speak next month to the Kamloops Fish and Game Association. It’s members are gathering more signatures.

By Lynn & Pete Hornick, Vernon – 100 Mile Free Press

Dear Editor,

As long-time property owners on Lac des Roches, we must express our deep concern over the actions of Land and Water BC in proposing a massive, intrusive development in a high-elevation area with its short summers and extremely sensitive natural values.

For well over 20 years, we have watched the insidious deterioration of water quality and associated problems which have been consistently ignored by government agencies. Now, it seems, that “The Most Photographed Lake in B.C.” (quoting from government publications) has become a play-thing for LWBC bureaucrats.

We urge all of your readers to unite with our community organization, Friends of Lac des Roche and Birch Lake (www.lacdesroche.org or 250-593-0041), in opposing this unwarranted, unrealistic and unwelcome development proposal.

This problem involves two regional districts (TNRD and CRD) and two provincial constituencies, and your protest letters to these governmental bodies are vital.

By Bill Jollymore – 100 Mile Free Press

To the Editor:

In response to the letter “Lac des Roches still threatened” from Dan and Kerry Veldhuis, I would like to add to their concern about “The Lake.”

The government of B.C., through it’s Crown corporation, Land and Water BC (LWBC), is bent on selling Crown land to private interests for the purpose of creating small towns in pristine wilderness areas surrounding lakes.

Total destruction of these areas will be the end result with the winner, the government, raising cash. Their plan includes the sale of $65 million of land in southern B.C. in 2005. In coming years this will be at an accelerated pace. The arrogance of LWBC sees no compromise. It’s full steam ahead. This will mean the end of one of the most beautiful areas in the province. We still have some time to counteract this with some hope of success.

First, join the organization, Friends of Lac des Roches and Birch Lake. This may be done by visiting our Web site, lacdesroches.org, download the form and send to: Friends of Lac des Roches and Birch Lake, General Delivery, Bridge Lake, V0K 1E0, or call Sharron Woloshyn at 593-0041 and she will send you the forms.

Secondly, sign a petition currently circulating, it may also be downloaded from the site or visit the following merchants: Donex Pharmacy and Department Store, Exeter Sports, and Exeter Forest and Marine in 100 Mile, the Lone Butte Sporting Goods or Jilly’s Junction in Lone Butte, also the Bridge Lake or Sheridan Lake general stores. These petitions have had a good response in our area and will be sent to the premier and appropriate ministers April 20.

Yes, Lac des Roches is still under threat as is Birch Lake, Montana Lake, Crystal Lake and others included in the plan. Don’t stand idly by and watch the devastation of your heir’s heritage destroyed before your eyes.

By The Interlaker

Friends of Lac des Roches & Birch Lake report that Interlakes residents can take a stand against the huge development being considered for Lac des Roches, Birch and Montana Lakes, by downloading a petition form their website at <a href=”http://www.lacdesroches.org”>www.lacdesroches.org</a>

Completed petitions should be returned to Friends by mid-April, and all will be forwarded to the provincial government in May.

The BC Fly-fishing Association has placed the question on their upcoming annual general meeting agenda and the fishing media in general is following up on the disastrous potential.

Friends are being careful not to overlook one possible positive of any such development – increased enrolment at Bridge Lake School – and are investigating this aspect.

It should be noted that the area in question is actually in the Thompson Nicola Regional District, but the abutting Cariboo Regional District (which serves part of these lakes and the rest of Interlakes) has previously designated Lac des Roches a “sensitive lake.” It continues to voice its unanimous opposition to any large-scale development.

To become a member of Friends, or for information, call Bill at 593-9305.

By Dan & Kerry Veldhuis, Lac des Roches – North Thompson Star/Journal

To the Editor:

This is the kind of story that destroys people’s idea of beautiful BC.

The idea of needlessly destroying pristine crown land waterfront in order for a developer to make a quick buck should be unthinkable in BC. When the development is in full view from Highway 24, which is known for its picturesque wooded lake-viewpoints, makes this even more unbelievable.

I would like to add our names to the list of people against this proposed development on Lac des Roches.

We have been summer residents there wince 1998 and cannot believe that something the size of the “500 single-family unit and two hotel/resort complexes” would even be proposed on this quiet little lake.

Watershed crown lakefront land should be conserved and not destroyed by needless development especially on such an environmentally sensitive lake.

Thank you for your time and concern.

By Diana Forster – 100 Mile Free Press

The Friends of Lac des Roches and Birch Lake membership now number 108.

Petitions against the Crown’s potentially massive development on the lakes will be forwarded to the premier’s office in early May. Petitions can be downloaded from the group’s Web site at www.lacdesroches.org and returned by mid-April. Glorious photos at this site are carried by kind permission of Larry Citra.

There is now a link to the site from that of the Canadian Wilderness Society, and BC Lake Stewardship Society’s site (www.bclss.org) which is informative.

The fishing media and B.C. Fly-Fishing Association have become aware of the situation and are following up. The group will attend Vernon’s outdoor show in May.

Friends’ Jan 26 meeting considered whether to become a registered society at a potential cost of over $1,000 which was deemed prohibitive, however, member feedback is requested. Such registration is necessary if the group wishes to apply for alternative use of Crown land.

By 100 Mile Free Press

A number of issues were discussed at the latest Cariboo Regional District meeting.

Lakeshore policy adopted: The Cariboo Regional District Board adopted a Shore-land Management Policy which is intended for new and existing owners who wish to subdivide or rezone lakeshore property. The policy will not affect existing lakeshore landowners who intend to keep their property in its present condition.

The policy will preserve the water quality of lakes and watercourses within the CRD, manage shore-land development for wildlife habitat; preserve the aesthetic quality; provide shore-land access to the public where appropriate to reduce conflict with landowners; and determine suitable areas for shore-land development.

By 100 Mile Free Press

(From the Cariboo Regional District board meeting Nov. 5:)

The Cariboo Regional District (CRD) updated its commitment to environmental protection with the adoption of a new Shoreland Management Policy.

The policy is intended for new and existent lakeshore owners wishing to subdivide or rezone their properties. Existing owners keeping their properties in their present condition will not be affected.

The CRD Communications officer, Heidi Frank, said the new policy will: preserve the water quality of lakes and watercourses within the CRD, manage shoreland development for wildlife habitat, preserve the aesthetic quality, provide shoreland access to the public where appropriate to reduce conflict with landowners, and determine suitable areas for shoreland development.