Winter 2023
SPROAT LAKE COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION
Sproat Lake Community Association’s (SLCA) Annual General Meeting is scheduled for Monday, February 27, 2023 at 7 pm., by Zoom or in person at the ACRD office, 3008 Fifth Avenue, Port Alberni. See link below or visit:
https://sproatlakecommunityassociation.com or www.acrd.bc.ca
websites for the Zoom link. The SLCA AGM agenda includes presentations by ACRD staff on the 2023-2027 ACRD draft budget and an update to the Zoning Bylaw Review Project.
Other presentations include Mosaic Forest Management, Sproat Lake Volunteer Fire Department and Sproat Lake Parks Commission. Elections for SLCA Executive will be held at the AGM. See agenda on the back page. All are invited and encouraged to attend.
SLCA Director Elections will be held for SLCA President, First and Second Vice-President, Treasurer, Secretary, and seven to 10 Directors-at-large, during the SLCA AGM on Monday, February 27, 2023.
Director nomination forms are available on the SLCA website or pick up at the ACRD office. Completed nomination forms must be sent to the Nominating Committee c/o email address sproat@sproatlakecommunityassociation.com or dropped to the ACRD office, addressed to the “SLCA Nominating Committee Chair”, by Friday, February 24, 2023. Nominations from the floor will also take place. Nomination forms for SLCA Director and responsibilities and election process found at:
https://sproatlakecommunityassociation.com
SLCA AGM Join Zoom Meeting Link:
https://portalberni.zoom.us/j/86367458651?pwd=eW01ZGRkWVNRRWRtVmFzdXl1bDNPUT09
Meeting ID: 863 6745 8651
Passcode: 564566
Winter 2023 ACRD & ACRHD 2023 – 2027 ANNUAL BUDGETS
Budgets for the ACRD and ACRDHD for 2023 – 2027, which follows the ACRD Strategic Plan and targets respecting the future and operations of the Regional District, will be presented at the SLCA AGM Monday, February 27, 2023.
The ACRD and ACRHD 2023-2027 draft Financial Plan will be available on the ACRD website at www.acrd.bc.ca
Alternatively, you can call the ACRD at 250-720-2700 for further information.l ACRD Financial Plan Public Consultation is scheduled for Wednesday, February 22, 2023, at 1:30 pm. via Zoom or in the ACRD Board meeting.
Winter 2023 OFFICIAL COMMUNITY PLAN
The Sproat Lake Official Community Plan (OCP) Amendment Bylaw P1443 Public Hearing is scheduled for Thursday March 9, 2023, at 7 pm. by zoom or in person at the ACRD office. See the ACRD website to review the amendments to the OCP that are proposed as part of the Zoning Bylaw Review Project. This is your opportunity to provide comments on the bylaw. More information: www.acrd.bc.ca/events/9-3-2023/
ACRD ZONING BYLAW REVIEW
Visit the ACRD Zoning Bylaw Review (ZBR) project page to stay up to date with next steps and opportunities to provide input:
In 2022, planning staff met with the Electoral Area Advisory Planning Commissions (APCs) to discuss key themes and held open houses to gather additional public input. Planning staff received a lot of public correspondence about the project, including key topics such as the proposed private moorage (dock) regulations. Staff are continuing to meet with the community and have prepared an updated October 2022 draft Zoning Bylaw that is available for additional public input before a final draft is prepared for the Board’s consideration of first reading in Spring 2023. You are encouraged to continue sending input on the ZBR project to the planning staff at: planning@acrd.bc.ca
Winter 2023 SOMASS WATERSHED FLOOD MANAGEMENT
The Somass Watershed Flood Management Plan (SWFMP) report and maps are on the ACRD website at:
The Alberni Valley and Bamfield Committee received the complete peer review and the critical information respecting options for applying the 200-year flood plain maps in the electoral areas are presented in the Plan by an engineering firm with local experience and knowledge in the area.
SHORT-TERM VACATION RENTALS
Short-Term Vacation Rentals (STVR) Temporary-Use Permit (TUP)- The new Policy Bylaw Enforcement and Notice Dispute Adjudication System for ticketing is now authorized by the ACRD Board for Zoning Bylaw infractions. Please call the ACRD for more information or visit the ACRD website at: www.acrd.bc.ca/bylawenforcement
Winter 2023 SPROAT LAKE VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT
The ACRD Fire Services Review was completed in 2021, and consideration was given towards how to most effectively support the implementation of the fire service targets within the SLVFD. The recommendation is to consider the creation of a full-time Fire Chief position for the department.
The amount of time required to address all the operational requirements, training standards, records management, performance, and general management duties relevant to the oversight of a fire service team in excess of 20 members has gone beyond what can be reasonable expected of a volunteer Fire Chief. The ACRD believes it is unsustainable to place these expectations on a volunteer and see this as representing a risk to the Volunteer Fire Chief, the Department, and the ACRD. The 2023 draft budget includes consideration for a full-time Fire Chief position beginning in April 2023.
SLVFD CHIEF MIKE CANN reports this spring the Sproat Lake FD will be completing its 10-year recertification for FUS (Fire Underwriters Survey). This is our water shuttle accreditation allowing residents in our fire protection area, who are within eight kilometres of an SLFD firehall to have a reduction on their house insurance without the need of fire hydrants on a public water system. All residents and homeowners that live within the eight kilometre radius of a fire hall receive a DPG (Dwelling Protection Grade) of 3B (S), which is the equivalent of any fire department that has hydrants, whether they are volunteer or staffed departments. This accreditation was brought about in 2006 by then fire chief Chris Duncan and the Sproat Lake Fire Department has worked diligently to maintain it ever since. Also, this spring the SLFD would like to hold an AED (Automated External Defibrillators) awareness session demonstrating the proper use of AEDs.
The SLVFD express the importance to keep your gutters clear of debris and your property clear of fuel sources in close proximity to the actual structure. Be sure address signs are visible. For information or purchasing a reflective address sign please contact them at 250-724-1777 and leave a message or send an email to officeadmin@sproatlakefire.ca
Remember, if we can’t find you, we can’t help! The SLVFD will report out on the 2022 call outs at the SLCA AGM.
SLVFD recruitment is ongoing for anyone interested in helping our community and learning new skills. Contact your fire department for more information by email at: mcann@sproatlakefire.ca
FIRESMART GRANT
THE ACRD HAS APPLIED FOR FURTHER GRANT FUNDING TO OFFER THE FIRESMART PROGRAM IN 2023. IF APPROVED, RESIDENTS WILL BE ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE A $1,000. rebate by completing the FireSmart recommendations provided by the Local FireSmart Assessor. Opportunities for curtsied pickup of yard waste will also be offed to residents if grant funding is successful. For more information, stay tuned to the ACRD web site or Alberni Valley Emergency Program Facebook page (www.facebook.com/AVEmergencyprogram).
Winter 2023 SPROAT LAKE COMMUNITY HALL
Sproat Lake Community Hall is ready for your event rentals. SLCA Directors features a new deck (pictured below). Most of the renovations to the interior, exterior, and outdoor courts are complete with support from the community Works Funds (CWF) Grant provided by UBCM and the Province through the ACRD. See https://sproatlakecommunityassociation.com
for rental details.
DO YOU WANT TO PLAY PICKLEBALL?
Pickleball is alive and well at the Sproat Lake Community Hall and our five new outdoor courts. There are still a few unfinished repairs on the outdoor courts but will be completed as soon as the weather permits. The indoor court is available for Sproat Lake residents to book and enjoy with their guests. The court is open exactly at 8 am. and closes at 9:30 pm. The hall is alarmed, and these times are exact. There are times booked inside for community play, meaning that everyone is welcome to join. With only one court players often limit themselves to six players at a time. The calendar is on the SLCA website and is interactive. Any questions contact Linda/John Bowers 250-724-3626 or lindabowers@telus.net
COMMUNITY CONCERNS
Dogs on the Loose! ACRD Bylaw Enforcement has received several calls regarding potentially dangerous incidents of unsupervised dogs in our Sproat Lake neighbourhoods. They have been reported wandering on roads, in public park areas and on trails. As per ACRD Bylaw R1014, for the safety and protection of all residents, visitors, and pets, dogs must be supervised and controlled at all times. Please be respectful of others and ensure your responsibilities as a dog owner are never neglected. The Sproat Lake parks and public areas are for everyone to enjoy safely-including our pets!
Smarter Burning, Cleaner Living. Rebates are available to eligible residents who remove their uncertified wood-burning appliance used for home heating and replace it with a cleaner fuel source. Formerly known as the Woodstove Exchange Program, the Community Wood Smoke Reductions Program offers options for households upgrading any wood stoves older than seven years (pre-2016) for cleaner burning fuel sources, m like pellet stoves or electric heat pumps and save between $1,000 to $1,500. Please note that propane and natural gas appliances are no longer supported by this program. Exchange your old uncertified (pre-1994) for a new css-epa emissions certified wood stove and save $500.
Dog Mountain Slides Notice to all boaters to be cautious along the Dog Mountain shoreline due to debris falling along the Taylor Arm steep, rock bluff terrain. Since the fire July 4, 2015, there have been many slides witnessed along this area. Warning signage is installed.
Garbage and Abandoned Wharves are all of our concern. If you are replacing an 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. Report illegal Poachers and Polluters by calling 1-877-952-7277 (RAPP), Cellular #7277, or report violation online 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 SAFETY ON OUR RURAL RESIDENTIAL ROADS
Due to the increasing population and development in our area there is an increase of traffic including commercial/industrial vehicles on our roads. Requests are coming from the community to please obey the speed limits and watch for pedestrians. Share the road. SLCA Road Committee met with MainRoad and Ministry of Transportation for the Winter Stakeholders meeting with regard to snow removal and maintenance identifying areas of community concern.
MainRoad contracting has a 24-Hour Public Hotline for calls reporting road and highway issues at 1-877-215-6008.
MOSAIC FOREST MANAGEMENT
Continues to engage with the Sproat Lake Woodlands Society, and we held another meeting together on Wednesday December 14, 2022. During the meeting we finalized a Memorandum of Understanding between the parties. We also provided preliminary information on future activities, which include some road re-construction/construction work scheduled for winter 2023, along with very preliminary plans relating to future harvest areas. We are planning our next meeting with the Sproat Lake Woodlands Society for the spring and will continue to provide updates in the next Sproat Lake Summer Newsletter. As we’ve done in the past, we will reach out to offer field walks of any areas that are considered for future harvest well in advance of conducting associated activities. Please reach out to Colin Koszman, Land Use Forester at Colin.Koszman@mosaicforests.com
should you have any questions.
SPROAT LAKE COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION ANNUAL
GENERAL MEETING AGENDA MONDAY, February 27, 2023 at
7 pm.
SLCA AGM JOIN ZOOM Meeting link
Meeting ID: 863 6745 8651
Passcode: 564566
Welcome to all residents of the Sproat Lake Electoral Area to the Sproat Lake Community Association (SLCA) Annual General Meeting. Voice your opinion. Attend in person or watch online. All agenda updates, reports, and background information are available on the SLCA website
- Call the February 27, 2023, SLCA Annual General Meeting to Order
- Adoption of the Agenda
- Minutes of the March 1, 2022, SLCA Annual General Meeting- Available on the SLCA website.
- Treasurer’s Report.
- Delegates, Petitions & Presentations Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District (ACRD) Presenters:
- ACRD Staff (Finance)
- 2023 – 2027 Draft ACRD Financial Plan
- Draft budget copies available at the ACRD office, or link on the SLCA website.
- ACRD staff (Planning & Development)
- Information about Sproat Lake Official Community Plan Amendment Bylaw Public Hearing
- Zoning Bylaw Review Project – Next steps on proposed updated byulaws
- Sproat Lake Volunteer Fire Department (SLVFD) Report
- Sproat Lake Parks and Trail Commission Report
- Woodland Forest Society MOU with Mosaic
- Old business
- Flood remediation
- New Business
- SLCA Election of Officers and Directors
- Adjournment-Thank you for your participation.
Water source test bottles and requisition forms are available at the ACRD office for self-testing. SLCA group water testing is scheduled for Monday, March 27, 2023.
SLCA GROUP WATER TEST
SLCA GROUP Water Test for E.Coli and Total Coliform at a discounted group rate of $75 per test is scheduled for Monday, March 27, 2023. (This is a $85.50 value plus free transportation to Courtenay lab and report.) Water sample bottles and requisition forms are continually available for individual testing at the ACRD Office at 3008 – 5th Ave. Monday to Friday 8 am to 4:30 pm. or for THIS TEST at the Tseshaht Market, Sproat Lake Landing (Dellas Cafe) during business hours from March 10 until March 27, 2023. and delivered with completed requisition form and payment of $75. (to SLCA). to the Sproat Lake Community Hall on Monday, March 27, 2023 between 9 am – 11 am for transport to Bureau Veritas Laboratory in Courtenay. This is a great opportunity to test water filtration systems and lake sources, wells, etc. It is always advisable to treat or boil raw water. Free Septic dye tests are also available upon request at the ACRD Office.
Winter 2023 – SPROAT LAKE PARKS AND TRAILS
LAKE PARKS AND TRAILS CONTINUE TO PROVIDE ACTIVE LIFESTYLE OPPORTUNITIES TO OUR COMMUNITY RESIDENTS AND VISITORS. WHETHER YOU LIKE TO SWIM, PLAY TENNIS OR Pickleball, floor hockey, utilize the children’s playground, the bike skill park, play baseball, run in the upper field, or simply walk on the trails. The SL Parks has an activity for all ages and abilities.
Adding to our compliment of parks and trails is the now completed Lakeshore Trail extension (pictured above). This trail now runs from Sproat Lake Provincial Park to the Sproat Lake Landing. Parks and trail maintenance is considered in the ACRD annual budget. This last trail extension was paid with Canada infrastructure Program grant in the amount of $140,000. IOf you have any questions, or would like to join the SL Parks Commission please email Joe Lamoureau at joe@lamoureuxhometeam.com
