Application To Be Submitted For Fuel Treatments
B.A. Blackwell and Associates Ltd. will submit an application to the Union of BC Municipalities for funding to complete operational fuel treatments in the Baynes Lake area. If funding is received, the project would include fuel reduction work on a total of 52.1 hectares of Crown Land around Baynes Lake that have been identified as having a moderate to high priority in the RDEK's Community Wildfire Protection Plan.
Transit Agreements Signed
The Chair and CAO have signed the Annual Operating Agreement with BC Transit and Olympus Stage Lines for the operation of the Columbia Valley transit system for a one-year term ending March 31, 2014. The Annual Operating Agreement between the RDEK, BC Transit and Sun City Coachlines for the operation of the Elk Valley transit system through March 31, 2014 was also signed.
Koocanusa OCP Implementation
The RDEK will be writing a letter to the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations to request that a multi-agency meeting be scheduled with the RDEK and Columbia Basin Trust to discuss Crown land management and planning in the Koocanusa area. One of the key issues emerging from the recent adoption of the RDEK's Lake Koocanusa OCP is the public's interest in additional planning around the reservoir, particularly with respect to off-road vehicle use and informal camping on Crown land. The Board has decided to step up its advocacy for additional provincial resources to address these issues and Columbia Basin Trust has expressed an interest in supporting those efforts.
20-Year Service Award
Building Inspector Dick Barrett was presented with a 20-Year Service Award. Dick works out of the Columbia Valley office.
District Lot 48
The Board gave Bylaws No. 2471 and 2472 first and second reading and authorized a public hearing. If adopted, the bylaws will recognize District Lot 48, located on the east side of Columbia Lake, as a conservation property and help preserve the area's cultural, ecological and recreational values. A public hearing will be held at 7 p.m. on June 27 at Fairmont Hot Springs Resort.