I have represented Christina Lake as the Area C regional district director for the past two terms.
The following is a the second part of an overview of what director for Area C means and the workload involved in that position.
Part I was featured in the Aug. 31 issue of the Grand Forks Gazette.
The committees I sit on or attend for the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary (RDKB) are:
• The advisory planning committee • Park and recreation • Regional district board • Finance • Protective services • Environmental services • Electoral area services • Boundary Economic Development Committee (BEDC) • The Kettle River water committee
On a larger scale, Christina Lake has also had its voice heard. I have been president of the Association of Kootenay Boundary local government.
I sat on the Union of British Columbia Municipal (UBCM) government for a year where I was a member on the Rural Resource Roads and Environment Committee.
I am vice-chair of the Southern Interior Beetle Action Coalition, a board member for Southern Interior Development Initiative Trust and a committee member of the Rural BC Project.
I talk with media often including radio, newspaper and even television and periodically write a column for the Grand Forks Gazette.
Some of the more memorable questions have been asked of me and here are answers:
1. Why don’t you do something about the old places whose sewage is dumping into the lake?
Sewage is a health and provincial issue. Those who know someone polluting the lake need to report it to the province. The regional district doesn’t have the right to go on someone’s property and accuse them. A large pipe sewer system is not the wishes of the Official Community Plan; small satellite systems are preferred. Many residents who have already purchased separate lots for their system have no desire to pay more money for a community sewer system.
2. In this gentleman’s words “Why are we still looking at you after five years? You have never done a (single) thing for Christina Lake.”
There is an election this fall and this person may want to put their name on a ballot along with mine. Please read the above.
3. The RCMP officer does not patrol the road end lake accesses.
This officer does patrol the road ends; he even has an open file with an incident on the very access this comment is referring to. I have requested documentation or suggested he may want to hit his siren when he is there.
4. The animal officer is never out here; he should be here all the time.
When Area C shares a service with other areas in the regional district the service or person in question also needs to be patrolling in those other areas. If Christina Lake wants this person to be here all the time, they can have that but must bear the burden of the full cost. I also requested documentation and know that the animal officer has been out here. I have suggested that he meet with this person. As with most things, if he no longer hears from you he assumes that the issue is settled.
5. The road end accesses are for those off the lake to launch their car toppers.
I am unable to print the Transportation and Subdivision and Access to Water Act here, as it is too long; however the access points are designed for public access to water (Section 75 1(b), (c), (d) subdivisions also definition of highway under the Transportation Act).
6. The lake flushes itself every seven years. Sewage is polluting our lake.
Although the first statement is correct, the second is not. Various government ministries work very closely with the Christina Lake Stewardship Society to test water quality, clarity and habitat. At the last lake management review – I always attend and I suggest those who have concerns attend too – reports were shared on the lake’s water quality.
7. You don’t deal with a dead raccoon on someone’s beach but no one can move a rock anymore.
Although dead raccoons are not the responsibility of the regional district, I did give this individual a contact name for the province. As far as not being able to move a rock this person too would have better understanding if they attended the lake management meetings.
8. Bears are an issue.
Yes, bears are an issue. The Bear Aware program is attempting to deal with that and trying to help the community stay safe. The conservation officer and 911 is doing an excellent job of dealing with this situation.
To be continued . . .
– Grace McGregor is Area C director for the RDKB