The recent shooting incident at Lac des Roches could be evidence once again of part-time residents mistaking rural living for wilderness living. Residential areas, no matter how close to the edge of the wilderness, are not the place for wild or extreme sports like target shooting, ATV riding or motor cross racing, a reminder worth passing on to visitors and residents alike, throughout the Cariboo.
Moving mail
Lac des Roches residents will officially receive a Bridge Lake postal address this summer. Rural route mail recipients may change to a box at the Bridge Lake store at no cost. Like in the past, residents may opt for a mail location other than that designated for their particular address however it will result in an annual fee where there may not have been one before. Notices of these changes should be forthcoming from Canada Post and inquiries may be made to the local post offices.
Lake hazards
Normally, high water levels in spring dislodge natural and man-made debris from the shores and fill the lake with floating hazards. This year, low level ice which scraped along the lake bed, dislodged debris from the bottom of the lake. Many of the shallow areas show tree limbs and old submersed dead heads, protruding out of the water. Worse yet is the dislodged debris that is just under the surface of the lake that may catch the unwary boater off guard. Boaters beware that the lake geography may have changed and a few snags may be ready to attack propellers, fishing lines and delicate inflatable hulls.
High speed
Lac des Roches residents will soon benefit from the success of a very persistent Peter Lunn of BC Wireless who obtained necessary grant money to subsidize the installation of a repeater tower to provide high speed internet in the area. The tower, which will be located at the top of the west Lac des Roches hill, should serve the majority of residences within its sight, including most of Boultbee Road. With a target availability date of July 2010, Peter suggests residents phone the 100 Mile Netshop at 250-395-4397 to add their name to the list of subscribers. Both closed and open contracts will be offered to accommodate seasonal residents who may wish to carry the service for only part of the year.
Firewood harvest
With warm spring weather, melting snow and crown land once again accessible by vehicle, many residents are making an early start on this winter’s firewood supply. This is a very good idea considering the action taken by Forestry to close the forest during last year’s drought, and the likelihood of a recurrence this year. Residents are reminded that they must be in possession of a free firewood cutting permit for each forestry region they harvest in. Both the 100 Mile House and Kamloops forest regions provide their permits on-line which can be downloaded, printed and endorsed. They must be available for inspection wherever firewood cutting is occurring. For 100 Mile House, go to www.for.gov.bc.ca/dmh and for Kamloops, www.for.gov.bc.ca/dka/permits/firewood permit.htm.
Wildlife
The migration of white-tailed deer into the fields and yards around the lake is an exciting development this year. Grazing somewhat anonymously now, amid the herds of mule deer, the whitetail bucks, with their unmistakable angled antlers, will stand out in the coming months as their horns develop through the summer.