Winter-Spring 2019 SPROAT LAKE COMMUNITY
NEWSLETTER
Published by Penny Cote – Sproat Lake Director – Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District
Sproat Lake Community Association’s Annual General Meeting
To be held on Monday, February 25th, 2019 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, the Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District (ACRD) 2019 budget; Short Term Vacation Rental Temporary Use Permits; proposed Ticketing Bylaw; Sproat Lake Zoning, and an update on flood hydrology study. See the back page for the full agenda.
The ACRD is considering the 2019- 2023 Financial Plan and Budget.
ACRD staff will present the 2019 – 2023 budget at the SLCA AGM. ACRD public consultation is scheduled for Wednesday, March 13th 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.
Winter-Spring 2019 —ACRD Kicks off Flood Management Plan
With funding from the Federal and Provincial Governments! This helps our region plan for future flood mitigation through the National Disaster Mitigation Program. The Somass Watershed Flood Management Plan project area involves portions of shoreline along Great Central and Sproat Lake; the lower Sproat River; the lower Stamp River; the Somass River; the Somass River estuary, and northern portions of the Alberni Inlet. This one-year project with Northwest Hydrologist Consultants includes surveying; flood level monitoring; hydrology analysis; geomorphic investigations, and modelling to update flood risk mitigation and planning. ACRD will engage with local neighbourhood associations; First Nations; City of Port Alberni; NGO’s; industry Partners and Federal and Provincial agencies, to gain local insights, concerns and potential priorities.
Interested members of the public can visit www.acrd.bc.ca/somass-flood to learn more about the project and obtain updates as it proceeds. Submit your questions or comments, about the project, at any time by emailing planning@acrd.bc.ca or contacting the ACRD Planning Department at 250-720-2700.
Rogers Cell Coverage is now active in the Sproat Lake Area
Thanks to the major investment of a cell tower. The 90-metre tower and supportive guy wires are located within a 165 metre by 165 metre compound, on land that is leased from Island Timberlands. The tower is approximately 500 metres from the nearest residence. Many people ask whether or not Telus will use the Rogers tower in the future. It brings peace of mind to residents that no matter what cellular provider you use, all 911 calls will go through. Good cell coverage in our area can benefit new economic development opportunities and provide improved communications for our emergency crews and safety net for the public.
SLCA Volunteer Water Quality Testing Volunteers
In partnership with BC Lake Stewardship Society (BCLSS) and Ministry of Environment (MoE) will be sampling at two to four approved sites on Sproat Lake monthly for the next three years. Volunteers were trained for sampling with equipment provided by MoE and BCLSS. Lab costs of the samples will be provided by MoE in the BCLSS level 3 program. Thank you to Rob Longeuay for use of his boat for training purposes. We ask that the community watch for and take caution around the volunteers out on Sproat Lake while they take samples. This program was approved and supported by MoE due to the concerns of water quality from a chrysophyte algae bloom through the summer of 2018 in Sproat Lake. In 2018, the SLCA Directors approved funding for 3 raw water samples to be taken from sites from Lakeshore Road, Stirling Arm Drive and Taylor Arm Drive, which resulted in all three tests having >200 Total Coliforms. Two retests in November 2018 resulted in 70 Total Coliforms and 8.7 E.coli on Lakeshore and 2 Total Coliforms on Taylor Arm.
The SCLA will offer another Group Water Test for Total Coliform and E.coli later in the spring of 2019 to all residents. It is noted that you should always filter or boil raw water.
The Sproat Lake Community Association (SLCA) Lake Surface Zoning and Bylaws Committee
continues to investigate recommendations for reasons including safety issues and water quality protection. ACRD staff has been asked by the Board of Directors to host a public open session in the near future asking for community input and approval. For more information, email Joe Van Bergen at joev12@shaw.ca .
Sproat Lake Volunteer Fire Department (SLVFD)
Will receive a new fire truck arriving winter-spring 2019
The SLVFD promotes the Homeowners FireSmart Manual to fire proof your home available at www.bcwildfire.ca/Prevention/docs/homeowner- firesmart.pdf. We now have the opportunity to become a nationally recognized FireSmart Community. We look forward to a planned event for May 4th, Wildfire Community Preparedness Day. The 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 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 Sproat Lake Firefighters Association is also promoting 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
SLVFD recruitment is ongoing. Contact your fire department for more information.
Automatic Electronic Defibrillator (AED) Training for Volunteers–Winter-Spring 2019
Training will be offered again (Date TBA) by Sproat Lake Fire Department Deputy Fire Chief, Rick Geddes. It is one of the most critical resuscitation programs for someone who suffers a cardiac arrest, which is supported by evidence provided by the BC Ambulance Service. Survival rates dramatically increase up to 5 times the rate before the AED program. There is an AED available at the Sproat Lake Community Hall for public use. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to register for the AED training, sign up at the SLCA AGM or call Penny 250-724-5040 or email at pcote@acrd.bc.ca .
A group of Sproat Lake residents continue to play pickle ball in the SL Community Hall daily.
A number of men, women and mixed groups play pickle ball in the Sproat Lake hall. For more information on how to join the game, call Linda or
John Bowers at 250-724-3626.
Lakeshore Road and Faber Road Trail
Planned expansions are complete. Further development of these trails is in the planning stage for construction in 2019. The completed trail development, costing approximately $92,000, is credited to an ACRD Gas Tax Grant. Continued trail development is included in our Official Community Plan (OCP) and is a priority for the Sproat Lake Parks Commission for safe pedestrian passage in our community.
ACRD Woodstove Exchange Program open for 2019 on first come basis.
It is time to exchange your old, uncertified woodstove (pre-1994) for an alternate heat source and received a grant and rebate from $400 – $800! Smarter burning, cleaner living. This offer applies to residents of the Alberni- Clayoquot Regional District. For further information and how to apply visit the www.acrd.bc.ca website.
Air Quality:
Avoid backyard burning. Air quality has a direct impact on the health of humans and the environment. Learn how different emissions affect air quality and how to make healthy air quality choices. Air pollution has local and regional impacts—such as ground-level ozone and wood smoke. It is known to have wide-reaching, global effects—such as climate change and depletion of the ozone layer.
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.
Invasive Species
Invasive Species are an increasing problem in the community. A group of motivated volunteers Broom Busted along Faber Road in 2018 and is proposing that Stirling Arm Crescent be added this year. 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 tel. 250 723 7621. Recent requests by residents to investigate the increase of lake weeds and removal are on going. If you identify an area at Sproat Lake with potential invasive species of plants or animals please direct
inquiries or sightings to your regional committee: Vancouver Island and Sunshine Coast Coastal Invasive Species by phone at 250-857-2472 or by email at info@coastalisc.com or visit the website at www.coastalisc.com
Garbage and Abandoned Wharves are All of Our Concern:
Thanks to the many volunteers who help each fall to clean the beaches around Sproat Lake and Great Central Lake. 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.
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.
The Highway 4 – Kennedy Hill
Safety Improvements project continues with traffic 24 hour travel advisory updated daily: Toll-free: 1-855- 451-7152; DriveBC Event for Highway 4. Winter Highway 4 closures September 16th, 2018 to June 14th. 2019.
Be prepared for planned traffic stoppage conditions daily and drive waits up to 30 minutes, but may be Single-Lane, Alternating Traffic (SLAT) 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 – all observations and feedback is passed onto our road crews.
Mainroad Group Communications Direct: 604- 575-7032 | communications@mainroad.ca Mainroad 24hr Hotline: 604-271-
0337 www.mainroad.ca
SPROAT LAKE COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION ANNUAL
GENERAL MEETING AGENDA
MONDAY, February 25TH, 2019 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 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 25th, 2019 Sproat Lake Community Association Annual General Meeting to order
- Adoption of the agenda
- Minutes of the February 26th, 2018 Sproat Lake Community Association Annual General Meeting
minutes
- Treasurer’s Report
- Delegates, Petitions & Presentations
o ACRD tax requisition for the 2019 – 2023 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 Lake
o Sproat Lake Volunteer Fire Department (SLVFD) to demonstrate CPR and the Automated External Defibrillator offering a free training opportunity. FireSmart presentation.
- SLVFD – Fire prevention report.
o Sproat Lake Parks and Trail Commission report
o Sproat Lake Roads Committee report
o Sproat Lake proposed water zoning report – public open house TBA
o Sproat Lake Community Hall renovations report
o Invasive species – Broom Busting proposed volunteer group
o Sproat Lake Volunteer Water Testing – Partnership with Ministry of Environment and BC
Lake Stewardship Society
- SLCA Election of Officers and Directors
- Old business
o Wood stove or gas or electric heat pump change out program $400 – $700 limited rebates
available at the ACRD on a first come basis. Air quality report.
o Abandoned derelict wharves
o SLCA Raw and Group Water Test results from November 26th, 2018
- New business
o Appointment to Alberni Valley Regional Airport Committee and Sproat Lake Advisory
Planning Committee.
