Society Activities …
- Meetings. The last meeting held was on April 30. Several items were discussed which were mentioned in the annual newsletter for the information of everyone, including;
- Addition of level 2 testing which was conducted on all 3 of the smaller lakes (Birch, Phinetta and Little Lac des Roches) by the Ministry of Environment.
- Well-attended fishing and stocking information presentation made by Steve Maricle from the Ministry of Environment
- Availability of BCLSS reports for Birch and Phinetta lakes
- Aftermath of the winter logging and the state of the Birch Lake access road
- Invasive aquatic weeds a concern in the area and the steps requested to mitigate the spread
- Conference. The BCLSS annual conference for like-minded lake stewardship groups throughout B.C. was held in the west Kootenays this year but it was not convenient for any of the executive members to attend. We rely on their website and newsletters, and our established contacts with them for keeping up-to-date on lake concerns.
- Website. Feedback from residents indicates our website is used for keeping up-to-date with community news so we well continue to update it regularly with all publications about our area, particularly the “News” section. We are also linked now to a nearby weather station on Bridge Lake which provides current weather conditions
- Postal box. Canada Post has assigned our Society, Box 193 at the Bridge Lake community mail boxes. General Delivery is no longer available. Membership renewals and donations can be left with any executive member (Woloshyn – Boultbee, Marshall’s – Hwy 24, Jollymores or Reid – Gerald, Watson/Ruegg – Birch Lake) or mailed to our new box number.
- Secchi dip in. All our volunteer stewards will once again partake in “the great north American secchi dip in” as part of their summer lake monitoring activity. Birch, Phinetta, Lac des Roches and Little Lac des Roches will all have their clarity measured with a black and white secchi disc. Data is sent to BCLSS for long term historical records and ongoing analysis of the health of the water in our watershed
Around the Lakes …
- Break in. Two seasonal cabins and a lakeside storage shed were broken into and items were stolen during the past fall or winter at the east end of Boultbee Road. The discovery was not publicized until the owners were able to travel to the lake and confirm items were actually missing. Although the road is walked daily, all year-round, unfamiliar vehicles legitimately travel the road often and have become commonplace since there are so many “for sale” signs posted. Ice fishers in particular park their vehicles along the road for hours while they fish for burbot during the night. Residents must do what they can to secure their property, remove valuables and arrange for periodic checking to be certain they find their places the way they left them, season to season.
- High water and slick grass. High water levels in the lake, creeks and ponds should be no surprise to those who have been monitoring the weather in the south Cariboo. Some shorelines are a bit dicey to walk near as some of the banks have lost their integrity to withstand much weight. What is somewhat shocking is just how saturated the ground is with rain and runoff water. Even sloped lawns are spongy and slick and can be hazardous to those attempting to mow grass. Until we get a dry stretch and some warm wind, caution should be exercised on our terra ‘not-so’ firma!
- Invasive plants. Free spraying of invasive weeds on private property is now planned for the week of July 9 – 13. Contact the team directly at 1-800-665-1636 to be included in the program as a signed release form is required.
- Traffic increased. Construction projects and dozens of “for sale” signs seem to be the reason the traffic on our few streets has increased this spring. These are drivers who are unfamiliar with how the road is used by some of our dawdling neighbours and so many walkers. Luckily, few drivers would consider going the speed limit of 80 km per hour on our little gravel roads, but there are some that seem to go faster than we would all appreciate. Public roads are not the place for children to play on bikes or ATV’s nor is it advisable to let dogs walk off-leash, especially during the summer holiday months. Perhaps once September rolls around, and the traffic eases a bit, it will be safe to resume some of the less cautionary off-season habits. Until then, be careful of the increased traffic on the roads!
- Good fishing. The season may be a little behind schedule because of the wonky weather this spring but the chironomid and mayfly hatches have not let the local flyfishers down. Several enthusiastic neighbours have been able to match the hatch and have been boasting great success on the shoals. Several ten pound rainbow trout have been taken on a fly in May and June. The secret is … go fish!
- Wildlife update. A few baby sightings have been reported. There are several loon chicks on the big and little lake. Geese and several different species of duck families have been swimming along the shores. The baby crows are the noisiest this time of year as they demand more food. At least one little fawn survived the ordeal of being born amidst all the predators we share the area with. Although there are frequent sightings of the black bear who resides at the east end of Boultbee Road, no bear cubs have been reported in the area – yet.
- Toppled trees. Those residents who have braved the wet and windy spring days and headed out to the back country for ATV excursions have brought back tales of messy trails. Mud, ponds, rivers and trees are the common theme where normally are found dry or grassy roads and trails. ATV riders are advised to travel with a saw (preferably a good-sized chainsaw, according to the size of the downed trees); a winch and tow strap and preferably a partner with at least a second reliable ATV. Getting stuck in the bush is no fun for anyone involved, except maybe the Search and Rescue folks from 100 Mile House who volunteer for this kind of thing because they actually enjoy it!
- One mile diet. Residents may be surprised to learn that there is a thriving market garden located at Lac des Roches, just up from the rest stop, not a mile from any residence on Lac des Roche. Rosely Farms is owned and operated by Val and Guy Drebet and despite the cold and wet spring, they are producing wonderful vegetables for local distribution. This year, they are focusing on selling their produce through the Bridge Lake Store and from their farm directly – the first driveway on the right up Cottage Lane. A visit to the farm is a treat, particularly for children, as they have lambs and other petable critters. Later in the season, as the garden really starts to produce in the warm weather, they will likely find themselves back at the Loon Bay Market near Interlakes on Saturdays. Val suggests visitors call ahead to see what she has available. They have two local numbers, 250-706-9481 & 9482.
- Leaf miner returns. There is evidence on the Aspen tree leaves that the leaf miner has returned. The leaves may be a little bit bigger than last year but the tell-tale white tracks on the leaves are confirmation that although they have arrived a bit late, they are definitely consuming the chlorophyll from the green leaves.
Community Interest …
- Fire bans. Burning restrictions went in place for the Cariboo on April 2, a month earlier than last year. Burn piles that do not exceed 1 meter high and 1 meter across are allowed but no other open burning is permitted until Sep. 30.
- Important notice about changes to logging practices. The following is an excerpt from a notice sent out by Bruce Rattray, our CRD Director.”The Special Committee on Timber Supply will be holding a public hearing from 8 am to 1 pm at Conference Room 224, South Cariboo Business Centre, 100 – 475 Birch Avenue in 100 Mile House, BC. The Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations has outlined certain actions that might lessen the impacts of the mountain pine beetle on the timber supply; many of these could require rebalancing important environmental, social and economic considerations. Potential actions include:
- harvesting some of the areas currently constrained from timber harvest in order to support other resource values;
- increasing the harvest of marginally economic timber;
- changing the flow of timber by adjusting administrative boundaries or accelerating timber availability;
- shifting to more area-based tenures and associated more intensive forest management; and
- increasing the level of intensive forest management through fertilization and other advanced silviculture activities.
The Committee is seeking public input on the following questions:
- What values and principles should guide the evaluation and decision-making regarding potential actions to mitigate the timber supply impacts?
- How should decisions regarding potential actions to mitigate the timber supply impacts be made and, by whom?
- What specific information about your local area would you like the Committee to know and consider?
- What cautions and advice do you have for this committee in considering whether and how to mitigate mid-term timber supply?
- How would you as an individual or a community want to be engaged in these considerations going forward?”
The hearing is on Thursday, July 5, 8 am to 1 pm. Groups and individuals who cannot attend the meeting can still provide written input until July 20, to timbercommittee@leg.bc.ca. More details are on their website, www.leg.bc.ca/timbercommittee. Everyone is encouraged to respond to the request for input as there is the potential for significant change to our forests.
That’s all for now … enjoy the summer!