Cue the Happy Dance, Bralorne Sewer System Funded

Winterfest was fantastic!

Thank you to the BRVCA, its Staff Jane & Jenny, the countless and committed volunteers, and all of the sponsors from our local businesses and many of the Lillooet business.  See the list here: www.bridgerivervalley.ca/winterfest/

Photo courtesy of Ina Hunt, a visitor who came for Winterfest!  Ya!

This Winterfest was the 7th.  And it was SO MUCH FUN!!   If you couldn't make it this year, mark Family Day weekend in 2017 and be sure not to miss it!


Cue the Happy Dance, Bralorne Sewer System Funded

Cue the sound of a Happy Dance being danced up and down the Regional District…

I am pleased to share the news that the SLRD has been granted $1,999,530 from Canada’s Gas Tax – Strategic Priorities Fund, to replace Bralorne’s 90 year old sanitary sewer system.

The SLRD is one of 57 communities, out of 222 applicants, to receive support in 2016 from the fund.

Minister Amarjeet Sohi just announced the allocations.

The news release, with other background info and the accompanying release from the Government of Canada, is also posted to our website: http://www.slrd.bc.ca/inside-slrd/news-events/news-slrd-receives-2-million-grant-new-bralorne-wastewater-treatment-system

Huge thanks to the entire SLRD board who supported this application as the TOP and ONLY application from our Regional District.  Also to the SLRD Utilities and Communications staff who did this proposal that obviously technically scored so that we received this grant!  So awesome folks!!   

And finally, thanks to the Federal Government for creating the Gas Tax funding system and showing that it can work for all types of communities in Canada, from the biggest cities to the smallest such as Bralorne.  We may be small but we are THE most spectacularly beautiful and most amazing (and affordable) place to live.

Want to know why this is so critical?  Read my previous posts (about 1/2 way down) on the topic:  http://www.debbiedemare.com/2014/10/results-hurley-river-rd-survey-more.html

$99k Awarded to SLRD for Phase 2, Fuel Mitigation Work around Gun Lake

I am very pleased to advise that a second round of Fuel Mitigation work has been funded.

$99k from the Strategic Wildfire Initiative (Provincial) and $10k from SLRD Area A Select Funds.

Fuel Mitigation completed at the south end of Gun Lake

Fuel mitigation involves thinning, lower limb removal and ground debris removal to provide few available ladder fuels in the event of a forest fire.  You can see the first phase of this work in and around the south end of Gun Lake.  Kind of looks parklike.

Link to announcement: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bz8bmBXIlkCOQktYVTZTZ19iTjg/view?usp=sharing

NORTHERN ST’ÁT’IMC, DISTRICT OF LILLOOET AND SQUAMISH-LILLOOET REGIONAL DISTRICT TAKE STEPS TOWARD STRONGER RELATIONSHIPS

On Thursday, January 21 and Friday, January 22, the Chiefs and several

councillors from the six northern St’át’imc communities met for a Community to Community(C2C) Forum with several directors of the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District (SLRD) Boardand the District of Lillooet Mayor and Council to share learning and explore ways that the organizations might work more collaboratively. Each of the organizations contributed staff resources to plan and deliver the event, with partial funding being provided through a C2C grant from the Union of BC Municipalities and the balance of the costs being contributed by the SLRD. The Forum, which was facilitated by EcoPlan International, took place in the St’át’imc community of Xwísten, near Lillooet.

There is much more information on the event at this link:  http://www.slrd.bc.ca/inside-slrd/news-events/northern-statimc-district-lillooet-and-slrd-gather-together-relationship-building-forum

I will keep you all up to speed as the relationship building between the SLRD (your local government) and the Norther St'at'imc continues.

Our Favorite Topic:  The Hurley

Wondering about the Hurley and how soon it might be open this year?

This picture, taken by Ray Mason at end of January gives you a visual.  This is the sign at the summit, buried that someone has run over & managed to bend.

First point, if you're sledding on these roads watch out for the signs!

Backcountry Snowcats  groom the Hurley frequently and that whittles a little off the top, but it looks like we're going to have an average (i.e. lots of snow) year on the Hurley. By the way, the sign will be replaced in the spring with a 10 ft version.

Finally, do not drive up the Hurley just because it looks hard packed.    You will get stuck. Sledders on the road report back regularly about, and I'm sorry no other word for it, the idiots who drive up there, and yes, get stuck.  

E-Value BC
BC Assessment has come up with an easy to use and very useful online tool to get property value information, property sales in the area and also to compare your property with neighboring property assessments.

Give it a try:  http://evaluebc.bcassessment.ca/

Limey John Garrett

John Garrett, a war vet and very long time resident of the Bridge River Valley passed away recently.  On behalf of all the property owners and residents of the Bridge River Valley I expressed the following ...

On behalf of all the residents and property owners of the Bridge River Valley, I send my condolences to the family and friends of John Garrett. I would also like to express sympathy and thanks to John's caregivers, your steadfast friendship along with care, allowed John to live out his his days in Bralorne.

The Bridge River Valley was John's home. And while I did not know Mr. Garrett personally I do understand his love and commitment to this Valley which he demonstrated by his choices in his life. 

God bless you John Garrett, a life well lived.  May you rest in peace in this beautiful spot.

Debbie DeMare

Electoral Area Director,

Squamish Lillooet Regional District  

Tyaughton Lake/Gun Creek Rd. : Two Issues

No Firearms Discharge Bylaw

Updated:  June 16, 2016
Based on input from residents, the original proposed map has been modified.
These  original buffers were 800m around the habituated areas on Gun Creek Road, as well as 800m around Tyaughton Lake. Using the input, the staff have extended the buffer along the unnamed Tyaughton Lake Road on the easterly portion of the lake. The buffer follows this road and then extends up and around the northerly end of the lake, encapsulating the Tyax resort parcels. For clarity the staff have refined the polygon to be one solid area now instead of the two individual overlapping buffers. As for a map title please note this is temporarily labeled it as "Schedule X"


Here is the revised updated map: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bz8bmBXIlkCOVmkxNmdnRkJqNXc/view?usp=sharing

Please get back to me directly at demare87@gmail.com (or call me) by July 15 with any further input or comments.

=========================================================

This fall residents in the Tyaughton Lake and Gun Creek Rd. had repeated issues with firearms discharges in the very immediate vicinity of their properties.  These incidents involved a variety of circumstances including illegal hunting practices.

I have had several requests from residents of both Tyaughton Lake and Gun Creek Rd. to extend the current Area A No Firearms Discharge Bylaw.    While, in the case of hunting, there is a mechanism to report the offence, the addition of a local government bylaw allows an additional level of safety to residents, by saying no discharge of firearms.  

Residents could submit a complaint to the SLRD staff, the bylaw enforcement officer would investigate and a fine or ticket could be issued.


Have a read of these links:
Current No Firearms Discharge Bylaw  You will note that there are a number of exemptions and permissions.  The fines are a minimum of $500/day.  Area D (Rural Squamish/Whistler, Britannia Beach) also have a No Firearms Discharge Bylaw.

Map of proposed boundary around Tyaughton Lake & Gun Creek Rd.   The boundary is basically 800 m from the back property line.  This is proposed and could be changed, but is judged to be safe distance from private property.

I have put together a little survey to get your opinion on this.  You can also send me an email or call me.  Click here to do the survey:  https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ZWCVJ38


Tyax Resort submits new application that requires an OCP Amendment and Rezoning

Tyax Real Estate originally applied to rezone the main lodge property (now subject to this application) and another property down the street (Lot 5, DL 4931, Plan KAP67637, LLD) for staff accommodation purposes in spring 2014. That application was brought forward to both the EAD and the Board.  As the application proceeded, it was amended to apply to one parcel only – Lot 5, located to the west and south of the main lodge site.  The OCP and Zoning amendment bylaws associated with Lot 5 were adopted in July 2014.  

The SLRD has now received an application for a rezoning and OCP amendment regarding the Tyax Lodge property noted above.  A portion of that lot (Site A) as shown in the maps in Appendix 1 is where the main lodge and proposed facilities are located.  The amendment application requests a zoning amendment to allow a facility that would jointly house staff accommodation and helicopter operations uses.  A dormitory style building is proposed for the main Tyax Lodge property along with office and storage uses related to the helicopter operations at Site A.   


You can read the full report/maps etc here:  https://slrd.civicweb.net/FileStorage/DD334A9CF5A5421784216D97457DE51A-RFD-160113%20Tyax%20Real%20Estate.pdf 

This report will go to the SLRD Board meeting January 27 requesting direction to the staff to prepare the OCP amendment and zoning documents.   If this is the direction given by the board, those documents would likely come back to the board in February or March for 1st Reading.  Following that there would be an official opportunity for input (letters, public hearing etc.)

I am providing the residents of the area advance notice and an opportunity to email or phone me with your thoughts on this.  My email is demare87@gmail.com or (250)238-2248.

Posts on my blog from previous OCP/Rezoning applications from Tyax Resort:
http://www.debbiedemare.com/2014/04/tyaughton-lake-gun-creek-neighborhood.html


http://www.debbiedemare.com/2014/05/tyax-wilderness-resort-rezoning-other.html

http://www.debbiedemare.com/2014_06_01_archive.html

A very Happy New Year to everyone!  I hope your holiday season was restful and full of fun.  Winter is full blown here in the Bridge River Valley and everyone has been out doing everything and anything winter.   

We are also already getting ready for Winterfest, February 6 & 7 (Family Day weekend).    Why not round up a whole bunch of your friends and family and come up for two days of super super winter fun!

Photo courtesy: SouthChilcotin.ca

The rinks at Little Gun Lake are already made and being used.  Be sure not to miss this awesome family oriented event in the Bridge River Valley.







Our favorite topic:  TheHurley River Rd. (FSR)


The weather has been fantastic for everything Winter in the Bridge River Valley.  Thanks to Ray Mason, Totally Awesome Adventures for this great shot showing the sign (or buried sign) at the summit of the Hurley.

We have had some incidents of folks attempting to drive in trucks up the road.  In places and at times its pounded down pretty good by the sleds, however YOU WILL GET STUCK eventually.  Please don't do it!!!


The statistics for the driving season are in from 2015.  From mid-May to mid-October the road averaged 91 total trips per day, with such big spikes on the May long weekend (270 on one day) and September long weekend (400 on one day).


Did you get a "special"(never good) letter from BC Assessment?
Did you get a special letter from BC Assessment that looks like this in late November or early December?  This is not the normal Notice of Assessment - but a special letter.   (The top has been chopped off to protect the owner's privacy).  If you did can you let me know.

Crimestoppers covers our area

At a recent SLRD Board meeting, representatives from the Kamloops and area Crimestoppers attended.  It turns out they cover our area.  Mark Price, their coordinator has donated two signs (watch for them this spring) and lots of "swag" with Crimestopper's phone number on them.

We all associate CrimeStoppers with reporting - anonymously - crime that happens around us.  This is how it works:  http://www.kamloopscrimestoppers.ca/giving-information/

Most of us don't realize that you can also report all types of Natural Resource Violations anonymously through Crime Stoppers: Natural Resource Violations may include illegal or unauthorized activities related to:

• development or use of Crown land
• forestry operations
• aggregate extraction
• use of water (or works in and about water)
• use of fire in forests or on grasslands
• culturally sensitive sites and artifacts
• forest service roads
• use of off-road vehicles
• habitat damage
• forest recreation sites and trails
• Crown pastures and associated livestock

Click here for more information:  https://www.for.gov.bc.ca/hen/crime.htm


And...while we are on the topic of Natural Resource Violations...

A report can also be directly submitted using  a Report of Natural Resource Violation form or call the Natural Resource Violation reporting line at 1 844 NRO-TIPS (1 844 676-8477)

Lots more information here:  https://www.for.gov.bc.ca/hen/nrv/

Proposed Motorized Vehicle Closures - Shulaps (and more).

Proposed Motorized Vehicle Closures - Shulaps

 UPDATE: Public Engagement Websites Now Live:

 Shulaps:

http://apps.nrs.gov.bc.ca/pub/ahte/hunting/shulaps-alpine-motor-vehicle-closure

Cayoosh:

http://apps.nrs.gov.bc.ca/pub/ahte/hunting/cayoosh-alpine-motor-vehicle-closure


UPDATE - November 20.  Bridge River Lillooet News Article -Click Here: Ministry Criticized

      UPDATE - November 18.  I have followed up with the Ministry and the public engagement for these proposed closure is not yet ready, although it sounds like it is getting closer.  I have this "bookmarked" folks and will follow up again in a week or so.

UPDATE - October 26.  Thanks to the MLA's office & the Ministry officials, the process here I think a bit clearer.  Apparently there will be a public engagement website up by November 15.
      Which means a November 1 deadline really isn't applicable.   The Ministry had send out notifications to stakeholders (clubs etc) first.  I have provided my suggestions that it might be better to establish the public website first and then send out letters to stakeholders.  I have also suggested going forward, the Ministry may want to use the Regional Districts as a sustainable, up to date way to get in touch with local areas such as ours. By necessity their contacts are generally up to date and at a minimum they can forward to Electoral Area Directors & Municipalities.   I will stay in touch everyone.

UPDATE:  The Ministry has extended the timeframe for comments to November 1.  They are working on a weblink however for now comment may be emailed to Frances.Iredale@gov.bc.ca.

     The Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations is seeking input  with respect to proposed Alpine Motor Vehicle Wildlife Act closures within the Cayoosh and Shulaps Mountain Range. These closures will apply to all motorized vehicles. Under the Wildlife Act Motor Vehicle Prohibition Regulation a motor vehicle is defined as:

     motor vehicle" means a device in, on or by which a person or thing is being or may be transported or drawn, and which is designed to be self-propelled, and includes an atv or snowmobile, but does not include

     (a) a device designed to be moved by human, animal or wind power,

     (b) a device designed to be used exclusively on stationary rails or stationary tracks, or

     (c) a boat propelled by motorized power;

     These closures will apply year round at the 1,920 meter elevation (approximately 6,300 feet). These closures are identical to adjacent existing closures under the Wildlife Act such as Nine Mile, Hogback Mountain.

     More information on existing closures under the Wildlife Act Motor Vehicle Prohibition Regulation can be found here: http://www.bclaws.ca/Recon/document/ID/freeside/474756515

     These closures are required to protect and conserve important alpine habitat and regionally important wildlife. Please refer to the table below that outlines wildlife values these closures will conserve and protect.

Species or Habitat	Conservation Status	Value	Wildlife Act Closure
Grizzly Bear	Threatened Population	Spring Habitat, Whitebark pine	Shulaps , Cayoosh
Mountain Goat	Species of concern	Winter and Kidding Habitats	Cayoosh, Shulaps
California Sheep	Species of concern	Alpine Winter Habitat	Shulaps
Whitebark Pine	Threatened species of concern	Important fall food for Grizzly bear	Shulaps, Cayoosh
Mule Deer	Secure not at risk	Summer foraging habitat	Shulaps, Cayoosh
Wolverine	Species of concern	Denning habitat	Shulaps, Cayoosh

      The map below can be used as reference that will assist you with respect to providing any comments that you may have. 

     You have to Friday October 23^rd, 2015. For your respective club members you can also comment through the hunting and trapping public advisory website: http://apps.nrs.gov.bc.ca/pub/ahte/  Proposed regulations will be posted here shortly.

     You can also email saldemare@gmail.com comments (he is the BRVCA Trails Committee chair) or myself.

Interesting Bridge River Valley Statistics

Bridge River Valley Only

     Full-time residents - 224 per 2011 census

     Estimated part-time residents - 1,783 (#of residential folios with a non-BRV mailing address x         average family size in BC per census)

     Ratio of part-time property owners: full-time residents: 8:1

Bridge River Valley vs. Entire SLRD
The BRV has less than 1% of the full-time resident population of the SLRD

But has 36% of the total number of property folios and 28% of all folio value

Expenses allocated to the BRV represent 4.2% of the SLRD budget


2016 Fire Smart Program

The 2016  FireSmart grant program provides funding to local governments and First Nations in BC to support residents to undertake FireSmart planning activities for private lands, as identified by Partners in Protection through the FireSmart Communities Program, and/or to develop or advance local planning efforts to mitigate risk from wildfire on private lands in the wildland urban interface.

The intent of the 2016 FireSmart grant program is to enable First Nations or resident or community groups within a local government to take the required actions in order to achieve and/or maintain FireSmart Community Recognition status from Partners in Protection.

The SLRD has access to a grant of $10,000 total and we are applying for it for 2016.  The four electoral areas have not yet figured out how to divide this up between us.  I am asking you as property owners to put your thinking caps on and let me know how this funding should be used to assist in getting our private properties Fire Smarted.

What is the Fire Smart Program:  https://www.firesmartcanada.ca/what-is-firesmart

What are your ideas for how best to utilize these funds?  https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/LS3PLLF

Roads, Roads, Roads and more!

Our Favorite Topic:  The Hurley

Surfacing!!!  Super happy that FLNRO is planning to do some surfacing after Thanksgiving.  They will putting down additional materials from where the 2014 surfacing ended up towards the summit as budget will allow.    Budget is coming out of money saved this year on grading and snow clearing.

Overall the maintenance of the Hurley FSR this year has improved and has provided a more consistent road quality throughout.  Unfortunately the grade that was scheduled for Sept. 12 didn't happen however it will (and is) be done this week.  FLNRO is also aware of some specific areas where grading can be improved and look for those improvements next year.

Please call me (250)238-2248 or email at demare87@gmail.com if you have any comments re the Hurley.

Our next favorite topic:  Road 40

I am very pleased to report that some improvements are being made to Road 40.

The "dry bridge" just past the nastiest corner on the road (on Antoine Bluffs) has been replaced with a 2 lane , longer bridge.  For those of you that have not seen the video, have a look.  Click the link:
http://tranbc.ca/2015/09/18/gorgeous-view-of-a-safer-road-40-near-lillooet/#sthash.TQ8JqaRz.dpbs

In addition, Area Manager Brad Bushill was able to eek out some additional guard rail that continues right around that corner.  This is the same corner where the Community Health Nurse went over and unfortunately passed away.  

Asst. District Manager, Dan Palesch also advises me that there will be two large warning signs posted at either end of Rd. 40 basically telling travellers that this is a narrow, winding road and caution is necessary. We all believe this will serve as a daily reminder to regular travellers & inform visitor’s to the area so they are not surprised by the road.   There has been some vandalism (painting etc) to signs out here and I promised the MOTi folks that our community would "keep our eyes" on them and whoever might be doing this.

If you are travelling Rd.40 you will also notice improved ditching. MOTi has been working with IRL Operations to establish ditching practices that are more robust, sorely needed on this road.

Progress. I do believe the strong and focused public & political response this winter on the unfortunate deaths on Hwy 99 North have made an impact.

 Little Gun Lake (Lajoie Lake) Culvert

The culvert running between Little Gun Lake through to LaJoie Creek and then into Gun Lake has been a source of concern for years.  It plugs up, the fish have challenges going up and down.    Little Gun Lake has suffered high water levels with resulting environmental and property damage.  Residents have tried many times through the years to ensure an appopriate level of maintenance and attention is paid to cleaning and removing debris around the culvert.

Last week, at my invitation, Asst. District Manager of Highways Dan Palesch and Area Manager Brad Bushill came out for a walk about with local residents.

Dan committed to speak with the Operations Mgr. of Interior Roads and he in fact did and got back to us with the following:

•                    IRL will ensure monitoring is increased to weekly inspections at the culvert inlet and outlet to ensure debris is removed as necessary

•                    IRL is proposing to remove the existing beaver screen, and install a newer more efficient one. This will significantly decrease the amount of maintenance required, in addition to improving water flow and improved fish passage. *This will require Sec. 9 approvals through the environmental agency and would be subject to approval and installation during the applicable fish windows.
•                    IRL will manage all Sec. 9 approvals, purchase and installation of new beaver stop.
•                    We will investigate beaver removal at a later date, possibly next year, although it might be worth monitoring the new beaver screen to see how things evolve. This would also involve permitting and environmental approvals.
•                    IRL will remove any surplus vegetation/debris in the area around culvert inlet as necessary. 

Gun Lake Ratepayers Assoc. and the Little Gun Lake Property Owners have this information and will, I am sure, mull it over and decide where to go from here.  The photo below, if you look closely has a rock with names etched in it and one of those names is now well below water line.  I am hoping that this increased attention will rectify the situation.

I will also be following up with Ministry of Environment regarding the condition of the spawning platforms in LaJoie Creek and the signage that is dilapidated and brushed in.

Bralorne Sewer funding application....still waiting....still hoping

Link to Previous Post - scroll about half way down

We are still waiting to hear back about the Strategic Priorities funding application (gas tax) the SLRD submitted for the replacement of the Bralorne Sewer System.

The latest word was:  All SPF [gas tax] applications are currently under technical review and we anticipate decisions to be made by the end of calendar year.

This is a very critical piece of infrastructure urgently needed. 

It CAN be done!

For those of you that despair about the long term future of the Bridge River Valley.

For those of you that rail against "big government" and "big business" taking but not giving back in an area like this..

I encourage you, if you have 45 minutes, to watch this presentation to see how it IS possible to take matters into a community's hands and win!  AND I might add, watch to the end for some GREAT entertainment!  

The Amazing Story of the Battle River Railways

This presentation was made at a conference I attended this past spring put on by the Southern Interior Beetle Action Coalition.

As many of you know, I am a tireless (although sometimes discouraged) beleiver that the Bridge River Valley can be a sustainable community in the long term.  Stories like the Battle River Railways shows the way!!!

The Blog is Back!

After a very long gap, my blog is back!  To say that sometimes life gets ahead of you is an understatement and the same is true for me.  When I saw that my last post was April 27, I went oh my goodness.  I will try to get back to more regular blogs.  As you know I try to share only factual information.  This is not an "official" SLRD blog and I encourage you to bookmark their website or like them on Facebook.  They are doing an awesome job these days of communication using modern tools - www.slrd.bc.ca - and you can find a lot of information there.  What I try to do is interpret for you as the Regional District Director for Area A.  Here goes..............

Our Favorite Topic:  The Hurley River Road

The road has been graded 3 times over the summer (May, July and August).  The July grade was challenged by the Boulder Fire and the weather.  The road will have a complete end to end grade starting Sept.12.  The hope is that there will be some budget left to do some surfacing.  I will stay in touch on this or you can keep an eye on isurvivedthehurley.com for updates.



If you have any comments please feel free to call or email me.

Also if you have been by the corner of Pemberton Meadows Rd. at the turn onto the Lillooet River FSR(which leads to the Hurley) you will see  it's a "dogs breakfast" of signs. A number of people have called me because their guests miss the turn, it is so poorly marked now.  I , with support of Area C director Russell Mack have followed up with FLNRO and will stay on it to see if we can get some improvements in signage.


Lillooet Recreation Centre
The District of Lillooet has found itself in severe difficulties budget wise and are looking for ways/means to be able to keep it open.  The St'at'imc and the Dist. of  Lillooet have formed a working group to explore how to fund the facility going forward.  They are giving through to inviting Area A to join this group.  If we do join, it MAY indicate we are willing to assist in funding this facility.

At this link you will find a very short survey to guage the community's thoughts on this:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/X7VRWFR

I will let you know what develops here.


Bralorne TV Service and Society

The Bralorne TV Society runs an antenna based service in Bralorne.  The SLRD funds this service through taxation of Bralorne residents.  The Society has been challenged to operate in good standing.

This spring I did a survey to assist in understanding who watches it, etc.

Here are the results:

https://www.surveymonkey.net/results/SM-ZVXML592/

There will be more information coming on this service from the Bralorne TV Society.

Fire Services Review & Public Consultation
Click Here:  My Previous Posts on this Topic (scroll down abit)
Click Here:    To read the Fire Services Review

As you know, the SLRD conducted a Fire Services Review in 2013, a document that indicated there were a number of changes necessary in how fire services were being handled region-wide. However, given the importance of fire protection services, it is the hope that we will see all established services continue into the future. We are currently looking at a different service delivery model that clarifies relationships between the SLRD and all fire protection services, and supports local chiefs in delivering the service levels intended by their service establishment and other related bylaws.

The SLRD does not intend to make rapid or sweeping changes to fire services in the Upper BRV, especially without public consultation and input from existing Societies. To that end, between now and 2016, the SLRD will be engaging residents in consultative process to help determine the future direction of fire protection. Once a timeline and framed the engagement our SLRD staff will be reaching out to local chiefs to assist in this process, and to accurately represent the views and goals of their services.

Please pay attention and give your considered opinion once you have all the information. Fire service delivery has changed alot since our services in Bralorne and Gun Lake were put in place.  There is quite a bit for you the public to learn and understand.    This is an opportunity to shape and mold the fire services we receive in our area for a decade or more to come.  

Air BNB Syndrome

In our area, we are seeing property owners renting their homes and cabins using Air BNB.  This is, of course, completely contrary to zoning bylaws.  However, the Air BNB phenomenon is affecting many places rural and urban.  Generally all is well until legal accomodation businesses start to suffer or the nightly rentals impact on neighbors with noise, traffic, etc.

Here is a great article, that gives some information and starts to pose some questions about Air BNB.

http://www.whistlercentre.ca/2015/04/airbnb-syndrome-a-new-opportunity-to-get-residential-nightly-rentals-right/

Updates for Gun Lake folks

Gun Lake Ratepayer's Association





Gun Lake Logging

For those of you interested in seeing what your fellow Gun Laker's said about the logging in the Gun Lake Watershed:    Click here for survey results.  Make sure you click on comments and have a read as they are the best part of the survey!

Photo courtesy southchilcotin.ca Facebook page.

Links to Information:
Updated weekly information on logging:  Click Here

Gun Lake Communications - Maps, Site Plans, Meeting Notes

GLRAForestryMeetingMarch18

GLRALettertoAspenPlaners March29

Aspen Planers Commitments made at April 10 meeting

Many questions regarding logging trucks.  Logging will be continuing in the upper Bridge River Valley for some time to come.  Following the start of the current round of hauling, several complaints were made with the RCMP.  They followed up with the supervisors.  Since then (mid-March) all travellers on Lillooet-Pioneer Rd. 40 say that the drivers have been cautious and courteous.  That said if you do run into a problem I recommend reporting the details of the incident/situation to the RCMP.

SLRD Building Bylaws
That time of year is here when lots of building and planning for building happens.

The SLRD has had building bylaws in this area for a long time - over 40 years.

Last year, the Building Department put together a really easy to read brochure on Building Bylaws,
Click here to read it.

The newly revamped website is really easy to navigate as well.  The Building Department can be found at http://www.slrd.bc.ca/planning-building/building-inspection.   It has a ton of very easily found information.  The SLRD Building Staff are awesome too, please don't hesitate to give them a call.

Litter around Gun Lake

Lakeview Rd. Beer tin at the bottom, spectacular Mt Penrose at top.

You have probably seen the two weeks of Pitch-In in the Bridge River Valley.  The events are designed, at their core, to have litter picked up.

We have an increasing problem with beer tins in particular thrown out of vehicles around Gun Lake.  Volunteers...Michelle Nortje, The James Gang, Lesley O'Keefe and Merle Hoch have done the entire west side of the lake, down to Little Gun and around to Hess Road and along Hess Road.

photo taken just metres from the one above

The entire east and north end of the lake has not been done.  If you want to help out I can get you yellow bags so you don't pay tipping fees and you can do a section of road ANYTIME!!!  Just drop me a line or the Community Resource Building (they have the yellow bags), bridgerivervalley@gmail.com.

This beautiful place will thank you!!!