Residents from the Lac des Roches area can rest a little easier as their concerns are now being addressed by various levels of government. For the time being, plans to develop the area are on hold, and talks on boundary issues have begun.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Lands had slated the area for development of strata title, year-round residences and resorts at the east end of Lac des Roches. The plan didn’t sit well with local homeowners concerned that the ecologically sensitive area couldn’t sustain the level of infrastructure that the government had proposed.
To compound the issue, the lake straddles Cariboo Regional District (CRD) and Thompson Nicola Regional District (TNRD) boundaries.
The CRD deemed the lake as a sensitive watershed area that would not be ideal for development, whereas the TNRD’s stance is contradictory as they have said their portion is prime for development, Sharron Woloshyn, secretary for the Friends of Lac des Roches and Birch Lake explained.
For now, the provincial government will not be moving forward with it’s initial plan.
“There’s nothing planned right now. Basically the project is on hold pending further review,” Liz Bicknell, a ministry spokesperson said. “However the ministry has said it will honour a commitment that was made, and that is that if there is going to be any further consultation that participants will be given 30-days notice to any further rezoning meetings.”
Bicknell suggested that the group meet with Cariboo South MLA Charlie Wyse to voice their concerns, which they did, and plan to again by next spring. He said he met with staff of Agriculture Minister Pat Bell, and the proposal is under review.
“It’s not off the table. His staff are in the process of completing their information gathering,” Wyse said. “From there Robin Levesque (who had been co-ordinating the project, will make his report to his group in the new year, and from there they will decide where to go with this particular proposal.
Wyse said he has been given assurances that should the proposals in whatever form proceed, all groups will be advised as to when and how.
The CRD has started the process of expanding its boundaries to encompass the entire area.
“The board will be sending a letter to the TNRD in response to an application received from residents of Lac des Roches,” Shelley Burich, the CRD Communications manager, said. Next step for the CRD is assessing the feasibility of moving forward with a plan.
“Now, planning staff and two managers have to look at what is involved,” said Maureen Pinkney, the CRD’s Area L director. “Geographically they fit the CRD better than they fit Kamloops, but it’s just at the beginning stages. Staff is looking at it so it can be a win-win situation, not a case of fix one thing and not another.”
Friends of Lac des Roches formed in September 2004 as a voice opposing the proposed development. The society, with membership totaling 141, consists of local and seasonal residents, as well as supporters from the United States and England. The group has a Web site www.lacdesroches.org.