Category: 2004 Press Coverage

By Bill Jollymore – North Thompson Star/Journal

To the editor:

Friends of Lac des Roches and Birch Lake is a group of local people in opposition to the proposed development on these and other lakes.

The province of British Columbia wants to sell off crown land and through its agent, Land and Water B.C. Inc., along with the Thompson Nicola Regional District, has identified these lakes to develop an estimated 228 homes, cluster cottages, two hotels, a wilderness trail system and possibly a golf course.

This undertaking on these lakes, which are pristine and in a pristine wilderness area, would wreak devastation upon the environment and the quality of life in an area without the capacity for such a massive growth factor.

The Cariboo Regional District, which shares 60 per cent of Lac des Roches, has designated it as “highly sensitive” since 1984.

Yet the government of British Columbia and Land and Water B.C. Inc. continue to storm ahead with their plan against the will and opposition of the people.

By Keith McNeill – The North Thompson Times

The province is selling off large areas of Crown land through Land and Water B.C., but there has been little or no public discussion of the process, says Barry Reid, chair of the Friends of Lac des Roches and Birch Lake.

“If the public doesn’t know about it, the only people who will benefit will be the real estate developers,” he said.

Last year the Crown corporation sold $50 million worth of Crown land, and the goal is to sell over $65 million this year, according to Reid.

“It’s going on, but no one in B.C. has had a discussion about whether Crown land in the province should be privatized … I don’t think it’s a good idea. This is the heritage of our children and grandchildren. It shouldn’t be a way for government to put money into its treasury.”

The process of deciding which Crown land is surplus and who makes the decision is vague, he said. This leads to the danger of inappropriate use, he said.

Reid first became aware of Lands and Water B.C.’s plans a few months ago when he saw an ad about the Eagle Island development at Lac des Roches.

The proposal would involve 228 strata properties, large and small, near the lake.

The ambiance of the lake would be destroyed if the proposal went ahead, he felt.

Public meetings have been held at Little Fort and Interlakes, but the impression the people who attended were left with was there was nothing they could do about the development.

Interestingly, the proposal has had to be modified because part of the lake is in Cariboo Regional District, with the remainder in Thompson-Nicola Regional District.

The CRD has classified the lake as sensitive, while according to the TNRD it is a development lake. Because of the CRD lake regulations, all the development now would be restricted to the TNRD portion, Reid reported.

Friends of Lac des Roches and Birch Lake plan a meeting on the topic at Bridge Lake Community School on Nov. 24, starting at 7 p.m.

By Lachlan Labere – 100 Mile Free Press

The Friends of Lac des Roches and Birch Lake are ready to take on the task of protecting the lake they call home from excessive development.

The grassroots organization recently established its board, and is now making plans as to hoe to proceed in its attempt to keep a handle on a development proposal being pursued by the Crown corporation, Land and Water British Columbia Inc. (LWBC).

The proposal would see the sale of lakefront Crown land for the development of up to 98 residential properties around Lac des Roches, 130 at Birch Lake and 61 at Montana Lake. Recreation facilities such as a golf course and hotel have also been mentioned.

The friends’ group will soon be circulating a petition throughout the Cariboo as well as in the Thompson-Nicola Regional District asking for support from stakeholders.

“They’ll go to as many stores as will accept them,” said Bill Jollymore, who sits on the Friends’ executive. “Especially people who are interested in the sporting affairs like hunting, fishing and boating. Anybody who would be affected by such a development.

Jollymore said the plan is to have 3,000 – 4,000 signatures to deliver to the office of Premier Gordon Campbell prior to the May 2005 provincial election. He said that in circulation, the petitions will inform the public as well.

“It’s a matter of getting the word out and getting enough people on board and enough people informed,” said Jollymore, who added that even locally it’s been difficult to get people involved. “There seems to be a situation here I call Cariboo apathy. People that should be enraged by this just don’t seem to care. They’re not for it, but they’re not saying anything against it.”

Jollymore’s frustration with local apathy hasn’t lessened his passion for stopping the scale of development proposed by LWBC.

The Friends of Lac des Roches and Birch Lake will be holding its next public meeting Oct. 27 at 7 p.m. in Bridge Lake School.

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.