Winter 2020

SPROAT LAKE COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER

Published by Penny Cote – Sproat Lake Director – Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District                                                                    Sproat Lake Community Association’s (SLCA) Annual General Meeting is scheduled for Monday, February 24, 2020. The meeting is at 7:00 pm. at the Sproat Lake Community Hall, 9346 Bomber Base Road.  We encourage everyone to attend. Bring your neighbour and give your opinion on important community issues! Items include presentations by representatives in association to the Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District (ACRD) 2020- 2024 budget; short-term vacation rentals; temporary use permits; proposed ticketing bylaw; Sproat Lake zoning, and an update on the Flood Hydrology Study. See the back page for the full agenda.

The SLCA 2020 Community Group Water Test

Test for E.Coli and Total Coliforms is available at a discount rate of $65. per test ($78.75 value plus transportation to Bureau Veritas Laboratories in Courtenay lab), on Monday March 2nd. 2020.  Pick bottles and requisition forms up at the ACRD office at 3008 Fifth Avenue.  , Monday to Friday 8:00 am. – 4:30 pm. FOR THIS TEST ONLY, the Tseshaht Market, at 7585 Pacific Rim Highway, will provide bottles for pick up.  Sproat Lake Landing will also provide bottles and forms during their business hours, until March 2nd. 2020.  Take water samples Monday morning, in the provided sample bottles.  Keep the samples cool and deliver them along with the requisition forms and payment of $65.00 cash or cheque (to SLCA).  Bring them to the Sproat Lake Community Hall on Monday March 2nd. Between 9:00 am. and 11:00 am. , for transport to Bureau Veritas Laboratories.  Early cooler drop off is available by calling Penny at 250-724-5040 or email: coteart@shaw.ca for instructions.   Boil your drinking water if you do not own a filtration system, as it is a raw water source.

SLCA Annual General Meeting

Come early to the SLCA AGM February 24th, 2020 at 6:30 pm. to check out the great work done on the Sproat Lake Community Hall renovation project.  Browse the information tables and have a coffee with your neighbours.

ACRD is considering the 2020- 2024 Financial Plan and Budget.

ACRD staff will present the 2020 – 2024 budget at the SLCA AGM. Public consultation/open house is scheduled for Wednesday, March 11th from 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm., at the ACRD office, 3008 Fifth Avenue.  We will provide copies of the draft budget at the meeting.  Also, you can find copies on the ACRD website www.acrd.bc.ca or at the ACRD office.

Short Term Vacation Rentals

The ACRD’s Short Term Vacation Rentals (STR) Temporary User Permit (TUP) Policy has been in effect since 2018. To date, the ACRD is actively receiving and processing TUPs. A total of five permits have been issued for the Sproat Lake Electoral Area and ACRD staff are processing an additional four applications. In September 2019, the ACRD sent notifications to over 20 property owners requesting that they apply for a TUP to legalize their STRs.

The ACRD is developing an Alberni Valley (AV) Age-Friendly Plan, focusing on residents 55+ in the AV Electoral Areas that include objectives and strategies to promote the development of these areas as age-friendly communities. An age-friendly community benefits all people and is one where everyone, regardless of age, can live safely, enjoy good health, and participate fully in society. Community input includes a survey, which already has over 375 responses.   A Community Workshop, and guidance from the Age-Friendly Working Group, will help inform the Plan recommendations and actions. The final Plan will complete by the end of April 2020. Check the project webpage for opportunities to provide input and stay connected: www.acrd.bc.ca/agefriendly

Bylaw Notice Dispute Adjudication System

In 2019 the ACRD Board of Directors endorsed the Bylaw Notice Dispute Adjudication System (DAS) for enforcing minor bylaw contraventions. This system is an alternative to the ACRD’s current complaint driven enforcement practice that has historically suffered a low rate of compliance.

Following the Board’s direction, staff have drafted the necessary bylaw and policies to move forward with DAS. On February 12, 2020 the Province officially added the ACRD to Schedule 1 of the Local Government Bylaw Notice Enforcement Act. Next steps include the Board’s review of the DAS system, to be completed in March 2020.

The Sproat Lake Community Association (SLCA) Lake Surface Zoning and Bylaws Committee

Recommendations for safety issues, and water quality protection, and proposed new Lake Zoning Bylaws are going to the ACRD Board for consideration.   The first reading is taking place in the spring of 2020. For more information, call the ACRD office. The committee is investigating the need for a pump-out marine facility to satisfy the provincial “No Dumping Law” in any fresh water.  Various public locations will see the “Clean, Drain, Dry Boat Signs” installed to avoid the spread of unwanted invasive weeds. For more info email Joe Van Bergen at joev12@shaw.ca .

Water Quality Testing

Dedicated volunteers in partnership with the BC Lake Stewardship Society (BCLSS), Ministry of Environment (MoE) and Department of Fisheries (DFO) are gathering water samples. They will test two approved sites on Sproat Lake monthly through 2019 until the end of 2021. There is a request to MoE for more testing at one or two more sites on Sproat Lake.

Water Testing in Stirling Arm at Sproat Lake.

Water testing in Stirling Arm at Sproat Lake with equipment provided by MoE and BCLSS. Thank you to Rob Longeuay and Erica Blake for use of their boats.

Sproat Lake Volunteer Fire Department (SLVFD)

The SLVFD promotes the Homeowner’s FireSmart Manual to fireproof your home available at: www.bcwildfire.ca/Prevention/docs/homeownerfiresmart.pdf. SLVFD stresses the importance of having clear driveway access for fire and rescue trucks to respond to emergencies! Keep your gutters clear of debris and your property clear of fuel sources in close proximity to the actual structure. Clean your chimney, and be sure address signs are visible. For information, or to purchase a reflective address sign, please contact the SLVFD at 250-724-1777 and leave a message or send an email to officeadmin@sproatlakefire.ca. SLVFD is training Thursday nights for newer members and those completing an accredited program. Every Saturday there is a duty crew practice in addition to the regular Tuesday night practice. In March, the SLVFD will be training for “Light Urban Search and Rescue” and May 9th the SLFD will be hosting an Automatic Mutual Aid practice with the three valley fire departments doing a relay practice pumping at Hall #2 on Faber Road. Watch for the flaggers.

Invasive Species:

Broom Busted along Faber Road in 2018 and 2019. Scotch Broom starts blooming mid-April then continues most of May. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Juliana at juliana.mccaig@gmail.com or phone 250-723-7621.

The Highway 4–Winter 2020

Kennedy Hill Safety Improvements Project continues with the traffic, 24-hour, travel advisory updated daily. Call toll-free: 1-855-451- 7152 or visit DriveBC Event for Highway 4. Expect single lane alternating traffic for extended periods due to the construction work adjacent to Kennedy Lake approximately 14km northeast of Tofino/Ucluelet Highway 4 junction, for 1.5 km. Motorists are reminded to please be prepared. Before heading out visit www.drivebc.ca, allow some extra time, and watch your speed. If you see a BC Highway concern, please report it to Mainroad’s 24-hour hotline: 604-271-0337 – all observations and feedback is passed onto our road crews. Mainroad Group Communications Direct:

604-575-7032 | communications@mainroad.ca | www.mainroad.ca  

SLPC Trails

Sproat Lake Parks Commission is continuing to further develop Lakeshore Road and Faber Road Trail and maintaining Cougar Smith and Faber Parks. If you are interested in learning more, please email Joe Lamoureux atjoe@lamoureuxhometeam.com 

ACRD Woodstove Exchange–Winter 2020

ACRD Woodstove Exchange Program is open for 2020 on a first come basis. It is time to exchange your old, uncertified woodstove (pre-1994) for an alternate heat source and receive a grant and rebate from $400 – $800! For further information and how to apply visit www.acrd.bc.ca

Air Quality:

Avoid backyard burning. Air quality has a direct impact on the health of humans and the environment. Find real time air quality information at www.bcairquality.ca . Contacts are Earle Plain, Air Quality Meteorologist, Ministry of Environment, 250-751-3171 and Valerie Wilson, Vancouver Island Health Authority Communications, 250-739-6303. Acceptable air quality is everyone’s right.

Garbage and Abandoned Wharves are All of Our Concern.

Thanks to the many volunteers that help each fall to clean the beaches around Sproat Lake and Great Central Lake. If you are replacing and old wharf please ACT RESPONSIBLY!! It is illegal to dispose of old wharves on Crown Land and the Province may charge removal to the owner. Please have old wharves disposed of in an environmentally safe and sensitive manner.

Annual efforts alone are not enough to protect our water and environment. Report Illegal Poachers and Polluters by calling 1-877-952-7277 (RAPP), Cellular #7277 or report violations on-line at the Ministry of Environment Conservation Officer Service Report All Poachers and Polluters (RAPP) website. Thank you for your consideration of our water protection.

SPROAT LAKE COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION ANNUAL

GENERAL MEETING AGENDA– Winter 2020

MONDAY, February 24TH, 2020 AT 7:00 PM
Meeting is held at the Sproat Lake Community Hall on Bomber Base Road off Lakeshore Road

Welcome to all residents of the Sproat Lake Area to the Sproat Lake Community Association (SLCA) Annual General Meeting. Come and meet with your neighbours and voice your opinion. We want to hear from you!

Call the February 24th, 2020 SLCA Annual General Meeting to order Adoption of the agenda
Minutes of the February 25th, 2019 SLCA Annual General Meeting Treasurer’s Report

Delegates, Petitions & Presentations
o Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District (ACRD) tax requisition for the 2020 – 2024 Property Tax

• Presenter – ACRD Staff (Financial Management) – Draft budget copies available at the ACRD office or www.acrd.bc.ca or at the SLCA AGM
• ACRD staff report on Short Term Vacation Rental – Temporary Use Permit Policy
• ACRD staff report on Proposed Ticketing Bylaw
• ACRD staff update on Hydrology Flood Assessment for Sproat LakeSproat Lake Volunteer Fire Department (SLVFD) Sproat Lake Parks and Trail Commission reportSproat Lake Zoning Bylaws Committee Report – proposed new lake zoning in line with Provincial standard, and Pump Out Marine facilities to satisfy the Provincial ” No Dumping ” Law and keep our lake water quality. Invasive species signs “Clean, Drain, Dry Boats” to avoid unwanted invasive weeds now available at two locations — more locations after approvals.Sproat Lake Community Hall renovations report SLCA Election of Officers and Directors
  Old business – Sproat River Weir plates and sweepNew business – Appointment to Sproat Lake Advisory Planning Committee Adjournment – Thank you for your participation

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Do you want to play pickle ball? It is happening in the SL Community Hall daily. There are a number of men’s, ladies and mixed groups that are playing in the hall. For more information on how to join the game, call Linda or John Bowers at 250-724-3626.

SLCA group water test bottles and requisition forms available at the SLCA AGM.