Winter Spring 2018
SPROAT LAKE COMMUNITY
NEWSLETTER

 

Published by Penny Cote – Sproat Lake Director – Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District

 

Winter Spring 2018, Sproat Lake Community Association’s Annual General Meeting to be held on Monday, February 26th, 2018 at 7:00 pm at the Sproat Lake Community Hall, 9346 Bomber Base Road. Everyone is encouraged to attend. Bring your neighbour and give your opinion on important community issues! Items include presentations by associated representatives regarding BC Assessment of foreshore fronting property on Sproat Lake; the Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District (ACRD) 2018 budget; Short term Vacation Rental Temporary Use Permits; and an update on flood hydrology study grant applications. See the back page for the full agenda.

 

The ACRD is considering the 2018- 2022 Financial Plan and Budget. ACRD staff will be presenting the 2018 – 2022 budget at the SLCA AGM. ACRD public consultation is scheduled for Wednesday, March 21st at 6:00 pm at the ACRD office, 3008 Fifth Avenue. Copies of the draft budget will be available at the meeting on the www.acrd.bc.ca website and at the ACRD office.

 

Short Term Vacation Rentals: Nightly, weekend, and weekly short term vacation rental (STR) accommodations on residential properties are increasing. Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District (ACRD) staff are increasingly receiving more complaints regarding the STR of properties inconsistent with residential zoning for single family dwellings.

In September and October 2017, ACRD residents and property owners were invited and encouraged to participate in the STR public consultation process. The ACRD hosted open houses in Sproat Lake, Bamfield and Long Beach, and provided an online comment form for those who couldn’t attend. All of the input received throughout the public consultation process has been compiled into a Short Term Vacation Rentals Consultation Summary and Recommendations Report, which was considered by the ACRD Board of Directors on November 22, 2017. At the meeting, the Board of Directors directed staff to prepare a STR Temporary Use Permit (TUP) Policy, and an amendment to the Development Procedures and Fees Bylaw to increase the fee for a STR TUP.  The policy was adopted by the Board of Directors on January 24th. ACRD Staff will be presenting information on this topic at the SLCA AGM.

 

BC Assessment has separated upland assessments from foreshore resulting in two property assessments for those residents with Provincial lakefront property (opposed to TimberWest foreshore on the either side of the E&N line). There will be a representative for BC Assessment at the SLCA AGM to provide community information.

 

Winter Spring 2018.  

Flood Damage of Sproat Lake Homes:

The flooding of November 2016 resulted in millions of dollars in damage to homes and property. This winter, water levels threatened Sproat Lake and Somass River properties once more. Requests for Catalyst to remove one of the weir plates at the mouth of the Sproat River was realized. Additionally, the sweep broke and released accumulated debris. ACRD staff are to present an update at the SLCA AGM on efforts of the ACRD, along with West Coast Aquatics and other organizations, regarding applications for funding to complete a hydrology study to address any remediation work that may assist in alleviating future flooding in the area.

 

Sproat Lake Volunteer Fire Department (SLVFD) responded to 115 calls in 2017, compared to 95 calls in 2016. The majority of calls were for First Responders. There were four fires in our area and the fire department responded to 14 Automatic Mutual Aid (AMA) calls in the valley.

The SLVFD advises the community that clear driveway access is important for fire and rescue trucks to respond to emergencies! The visible reflective address signs initiative by the SLVFD is providing the Fire Rescue and First Responders clear identification of where you are if you have to call. Contact them at 250-724-1777 and leave a message or send an email to officeadmin@sproatlakefire.ca if you would like information on the SLVFD, or to purchase a reflective address sign.

Remember, if we can’t find you, we can’t help!!

The Sproat Lake Firefighters Association is assisting the SLVFD with the promotion of the WASP Gutter Mount Sprinklers and Brackets; designed to help protect a home or structure from wildfire. For more information or to purchase contact: slfa@sproatlakefire.ca

The SLVFD has a special committee investigating the option of providing a fireboat service to the compliment of service for fire rescue and first responders. Presenters will be at the SLCA AGM.

 

Automatic Electronic Defibrillator (AED) saved a life at the Sproat Lake Community Hall in December! An AED is one of the most critical resuscitation programs for someone who suffers cardiac arrest, which is supported by evidence provided by the BC Ambulance Service. There will be a demonstration of the AED and training apparatus by Rick Geddes (SLVFD) at the SLCA AGM. If you are interested in taking the training, please call Penny 250-724-5040 or email at coteart@shaw.ca

ACRD Woodstove Exchange Program for 2018: It is time to exchange your old, uncertified woodstove (pre-1994) for a new CSA-EPA emissions-certified wood, pellet, or gas-heating appliance or electric heat pump and save $400 – $700! SMARTER BURNING, CLEANER LIVING. Receive a $250 or $400 rebate and a $150 – $300 retailer discount at participating retailers. This offer applies to residents of the Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District. Rebates are available on a first-come first-serve basis. Further information and how to apply visit the www.acrd.bc.cawebsite.

 

Air Quality: Avoid backyard burning and if you use wood heat, it is recommended to use a CSA-EPA emission-certified appliance and clean dry wood. Real time air quality information can be found at www.bcairqualty.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 and protecting air quality is everyone’s responsibility!

Physicians report that wood smoke contains fine particles, or PM2.5, which are associated with serious health effects. The tiny size of these pollutants allows them to be easily inhaled, bypassing the immune system and proceeding deep into your lungs, where they can cause respiratory and cardiovascular problems, including premature death.

 

Rogers Cell Coverage coming to Sproat Lake Area: Island Timberland is advising residents that Rogers Communication is constructing a cell tower on Island Timberlands property near Faber Road. Development will include access road construction, clearing for the tower site and tower construction. Operations to facilitate construction will started at the end of January and Rogers is expecting the project to be complete in June 2018. Operating hours will be between 7:30 am and 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday (excluding potential night shift or weekend mechanics). Please be advised that trails in proximity of the project will be closed for the duration of the project to ensure the community safety. Blasting may be required for site construction. If so, contractors will have endorsements for urban applications of blasting and will be employing tools such as blast mats, light loads, and monitoring with a seismograph.
2018 Sproat Lake Community Pickle Ball looking for new interested players in the community hall for the winter. There are a number of men’s, ladies’ and mixed groups, novice and competitive. For more information on how to join the groups and find out established games dates and times – or want to make up a group of your own – call Linda or John Bowers.

 

BC Bats may be Threatened by Disease: BC Community Bat Program Researchers, in collaboration with the BC Government, are asking the public to help in monitoring the spread of White Nose Syndrome (WNS), a fungal disease responsible for the death of millions of bats in eastern North America, which has moved to the west coast. Confirmed in Washington State in 2016 and 2017, the presence of the fungus is very worrisome for the health of bat populations in British Columbia, with near 100% mortality for some species of bats exposed to the fungus. Although devastating for bats, WNS does not affect humans. The public is asked to report dead bats or any sightings of winter bat activity to the Community Bat Project (CBP) (1-855-922-2287 ext 24 or info@bcbats.ca) as soon as possible for further information. Never touch a dead bat with your bare hands. Please note that if you or your pet has been in direct contact with the bat, you will need further information regarding the risk of rabies to you and your pet. Currently there are no treatments for WNS. However, mitigating other threats to bat populations and preserving and restoring bat habitat may provide bat populations with the resilience to rebound. This is where the BC Community Bat Program and the general public can help.

 

Sproat Lake Community Association’s Group Water Test Results for E.Coli and Total Coliforms from the Monday, November 20th, 2017 group test showed from 17 tests, two results were positive for E.Coli and ten samples were clean of contaminant. Maxxam Analytics Laboratories water sample bottles and requisition forms are continually available for individual testing at the ACRD office at 3008 Fifth Avenue, Monday to Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. This has been a popular program offering the community the opportunity to test water filtration systems and lake sources, wells, etc. It is always advisable to treat or boil unfiltered raw water sources. Next SLCA Group Water test will be offered late spring 2018.

 

Sproat Lake Trails are to be extended along Faber Road to Cougar Smith Park, and along Lakeshore Road to the Sproat Lake Landing by this summer. These trails are highly used and maintained by the SL Parks Commission. Cougar Smith Park is having two wellheads in the bike skills park decommissioned for the safety of park users.

For more information on Sproat Lake Parks and Trials contact Joe Lamoureux, SL Parks Chair, at 250-723-3001 or 250-724-4663 or email joe@albernihometeam.com

 

Garbage and Abandoned Wharves are All of Our Concern: The need continues for the annual “Clean Beaches, Clean Water” event. Thanks to the many volunteers that have helped each fall to clean the beaches around Sproat Lake with the assistance of the pile driver, AVRA rescue boat and a Fish and Duck houseboat.

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 violation 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.

 

Emcon winter roads plan prioritizes snow clearing of highways and secondary road plowing has been minimal for early winter 2018. Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure advises when traveling to check the www.drivebc.ca BC Highway Cams website. You can view highway conditions, traffic, and weather information at a glance. You can also report a highway problem. Winter tires are still required from October 1st to March 31st.

 

Sproat Lake Block Watch is endorsed by the SLCA Directors. Information will be available at the SLCA AGM on how to run a Block Watch, Responsibilities, Mapping, Program Dynamics, Safer Communities with Property Identification and Home Security Tips and much more including making your neighborhood Fire Smart.

SPROAT LAKE COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING AGENDA

MONDAY, February 26TH, 2018 AT 7:00 PM

To be held at the Sproat Lake Community Hall on Bomber Base Road off Lakeshore Road

 

Welcome to all residents, of the Sproat Lake area, for 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 26th, 2018 Sproat Lake Community Association Annual General Meeting to order
  • Adoption of the agenda
  • Adoption of the February 27th, 2017 Sproat Lake Community Association Annual General Meeting minutes
  • Treasurer’s Report
  • Delegates, Petitions & Presentations
    • BC Assessment report on new foreshore fronting property – private moorage assessments
    • ACRD tax requisition for the 2018 Property Tax
      • Presenter – ACRD Staff (Financial Management)
      • Draft budget copies available at the ACRD office or acrd.bc.ca or at the SLCA AGM
    • ACRD staff report on Short Term Vacation Rental – Temporary Use Permit policy
    • ACRD staff report on status of grants for flood assessment for Sproat Lake
    • Sproat Lake Volunteer Fire Department (SLVFD) to introduce the new training equipment with the Automated External Defibrillator offering a free training opportunity
      • SLVFD – Fire prevention report.
      • SLVFD – Boat Committee Investigation report.
    • Rogers to present the new cell tower development for Sproat Lake area
    • Sproat Lake Parks and Trail Commission report
    • Sproat Lake Roads Committee report
    • Sproat Lake proposed zoning report
    • Sproat Lake Community Hall renovations
    • Alberni Valley Community forest update

 

  • SLCA Election of Officers and Directors

 

  • Old business
    • Wood stove or gas or electric heat pump change out program $400 – $700 limited rebates available at the ACRD on a first come basis
    • Abandoned derelict wharves
    • SLCA Group Water Test results from November 20th, 2017

 

  • New business
    • BC Government request for public to report dead bats
    • Draw for free WASP Gutter Mount Sprinkler! Must be there to win!
    • Adjournment