Embedded Files
On November 19th 2009 a one day workshop meeting was held at Bouchie lake Hall at the instigation of the Cariboo Regional District. The following is a link to the minutes of that meeting. https://www.cariboord.ca/en/business-and-development/resources/Documents/PlanningandDevelopment/Bouchie_Milburn/2019-11-19-Steering_Committee_Workshop_Minutes.pdf The full text is copied here:
BOUCHIE LAKE NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN STEERING COMMITTEE WORKSHOP – DAY 1 MINUTES
File No: 6481-02 Meeting Date: November 19, 2019 Location: Bouchie Lake Community Hall, 1975 Centennial Road, Quesnel
Present: Area B Director Barb Bachmeier; Nigel Whitehead, CRD Senior Planner; Shivani Sajwan, CRD Planning Officer; Nicole Pressey, Regional Agrologist, Ministry of Agriculture; Jayme Hills, Recreation Technician, Recreation Sites and Trails BC, Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development; David Law, Director, Bouchie Lake Watershed Stewardship Society; Stephanie Hanes; Peggy Smith; Robert Ross; Sybille Muschik; Elizabeth Montgomery. Present for a portion of the meeting: Wendy Holtom, Subdivision Approving Officer, Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure; Deborah Epps, Section Head, Provincial Water Quality, Ministry of Environment & Climate Change Strategy (via teleconference); Brian Steeves, Environmental Health Officer, Environmental Health Protection, Northern Health Authority; Regrets: Stan Hall, Tony McHale, Neil MacDougall.
The meeting was called to order at 9:40 am N Whitehead welcomed attendees, explained the intent of the meeting & schedule. Attendees introduced themselves. N. Whitehead provided a brief overview of the Bouchie-Milburn Neighbourhood Plan project. Deborah Epps provided an overview of Ministry of Environment’s involvement in lake water quality monitoring and improvement activities for Bouchie/Milburn Lakes and watershed. Overview included background information, current state of water quality, past projects, and potential treatment options. Phosphorous (P) loading is the primary concern. Lake water quality change began around 1950, with substantial decline over past 20 years. Root problems must be addressed, not simply , not simply treating symptoms. It will take a multi-agency approach. Agenda was amended to continue group discussion on water quality. Group discussion followed with questions and answers with D. Epps. Approx. 10:40 am, D. Epps left the meeting. Approx. 10:50 am, W. Holtom joined the meeting.
Group discussion/summary on treatment options: Alum Treatment – Aluminum sulphate is added and binds P in water and settles to bottom. Multiple treatments per year for several years would be required. Estimated high ($millions) and ongoing cost. Discussion around dilution or flushing lake. Would require raising water level, which is not feasible due to residential elevations. Damning upstream and releasing to flush lake is not possible due to low water volumes upstream. Could try to drain/flush sediment from centre/bottom of lake – would require complex directional drilling. Substantial cost. Flushing haseasible. Bouchie Lake Watershed Stewardship Society has cost estimates for aeration ($90k materials, $60k install, unknown ongoing operating cost). Ongoing operating funds would need to be sourced – Could be CRD service – taxation impact. Or MoE service? Would require onshore site for some of the equipment. Oxygenating the bottom is important, or flushing out existing sediment. Physical agitation is needed. Noted high level of internal P due to sediments. Dredging is not financially feasible ($2.5M). Settling ponds to trap sediment at lake inflow / outflow of agricultural operations is a possibility. Unknown if forest fertilization occurs in watershed. Nicole Pressey to provide contact information for appropriate person. Vegetation control is also needed. Fraser-Fort George Regional District provides service on Nukko Lake? Primary oversight of lake is conducted by Resource Management Group, Ministry of FLNRORD and MoE Water Quality Group. 11:00 am break;
11:15 am reconvene N. Pressey provided a brief overview of Ministry of Agriculture’s involvement in managing water quality impacts of agricultural activities. New Provincial Code of Practice is being phased in over ten-year period. Agricultural operators must manage nutrient runoff (nutrient management plan). M.Ag provides stewardship advice. Enforcement is on a complaints basis. Intent of new code of practice is to reduce environmental impacts. More control options in areas with mapped sensitive aquifers. CRD has ability to regulate maximum number of animals on hobby farms. MAg has farm business advice program for farms with min. $30k sales. Managing for good soil health is important and helps manage runoff. B. Steeves provided overview on Northern Health Authority’s involvement in sewage system regulation. Sewerage System Regulation was implemented a number of years ago. Challenging adherence in rural BC. B. Steeves provided an overview of different types of septic systems. Sewerage System Regulation requires new systems to fully treat all onsite wastewater within confines of property. Systems are available to fully treat septage on lakeshore lots. Many cases of overcharging for new systems in Cariboo. Some systems more complex than others. Some systems do not function properly in northern climate. Failing systems are an ongoing challenge. NHA enforcement on a complaints basis. Out of sight/out of mind is common problem with sewage effluent. No enforcement ability from NHA unless untreated effluent is coming to the surface. Sub-surface leaching into water table/lake is not an infraction (although is source of nutrient loading on lake). N. Whitehead: Do not want to deal with issue through tit-for-tat neighbourhood complaints. We know systems are reaching end of functional life; need a way to encourage replacement. Maybe there is grant funding source available to support private septic system replacements? Subdivision and land use regulation is important. Generally require more than 1 acre parcel for adequate treatment and water supply. (CRD zoning allows 1 acre lot sizes) Good well maintenance is important too. B. Steeves provided a brief overview. 12:15 pm, Brian Steeves left the meeting Lunch 12:15 – 1:00 pm W. Holtom, Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (MOTI) Subdivision Approving Officer provided an overview of the considerations MOTI makes when assessing subdivision applications, e.g. access, water, septic, lake accesses, geotechnical hazards, First Nations, archeological.
Group discussion around developing lake accesses. MOTI requires lake access per the Land Title Act, but does not have ability to require upgrading/development. It is not in MOTI’s mandate to develop lake accesses/provide public recreation opportunities. MOTI requires a permit for society/agency to utilize/improve lake access, but someone needs to hold liability insurance. Bouchie Lake Watershed Stewardship Society (BLWSS) stuck in situation where they have an improvement plan for Milburn Lake access, but MOTI requires CRD to hold permit. CRD will not hold permit on behalf of a society for recreation use as CRD does not have a parks function. Group discussion that maybe Rec Sites and Trails BC could support the project. J. Hills provided an overview of Rec Sites and Trails BC (RSTBC) legislation and activities. Forest and Range Practices Act (FRPA) provides for the legislative authority to develop and operate recreation sites. Section 57 applications for new sites/trails get referred to tenure holders and First Nations. If approved, Section 56 legally establishes the site/trail. Section 16 application is required for forestry operators to work through/around designated trails. Cannot prevent forestry uses on Crown land. Hangman Springs site is partially(?) within the BMNP plan area. It is maintained by local motorbike club. Also jointly maintained by equestrian and mountain bike users/clubs. Development of sites/trails can be coordinated with forest fuel management activities. i.e. access/skidder trails can be retained in some cases for recreation routes. Trail network development in the BMNP area is difficult for RSTBC involvement due to the amount of private land. Freshwater fisheries society of BC has funding opportunities to develop more recreational fishing infrastructure – i.e. sites, docks, etc., existing examples at Sardine Lake (Pine Valley, WL), Hush Lake(?). Accessible trails CRD project – there may be dock pads available. Rec. sites can be developed on Crown land only (not MOTI road right of way). RSTBC would likely be able to support lake access development, but can’t be on road right of way (ROW). Maybe there is a way to “close” road right of way, transfer to Crown, and develop as an RSTBC site. RSTBC holds insurance for community groups to maintain facilities, not for events. Build Canada infrastructure grants may have opportunity for recreation site development. There may be Subdivision Approving Officer ability to require existing historical trails to be preserved at subdivision stage. Claymine trails not suitable for equestrian. Need for formalized equestrian routes in the plan area. 2:00 pm Break;
2:15 pm reconvene Group exercise was conducted where frequently used and desired trail routes were drawn on maps. Simultaneous side conversations / Q&A between committee members and agency reps. Approx. 2:30 pm Jayme Hills, Wendy H, Nicole Pressey left the meeting. Meeting wrapped up. Next steps reviewed with committee. Committee to reconvene Nov 20 for day 2 of workshop. Adjournment 2:45 pm
On Saturday June 10th 2023, the directors met for an all day session at Bouchie Lake Hall, to develop strategic action plans for BLWSS Society as well as a Management Plan for Bouchie Lake. The result of those discussions led to the development of the following management plan. The document is open to the directors for further input and comments, which have been added in red.
BOUCHIE-MILBURN WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLAN UPDATE
BOUCHIE-MILBURN WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLAN UPDATE
Bouchie Lake Watershed Stewardship Society
Strategic Plan
Dated: July 26, 2023
Preamble
In 2009, the Bouchie Lake Stewardship Committee (BLSC), precursor to the Bouchie Lake Watershed Stewardship Society partnered with the Baker Creek Enhancement Society (BCES), the BC Ministry of Environment (MOE), and numerous experts and volunteers in the creation of the Bouchie-Milburn Watershed Management Plan (2009).
The primary goal of the Bouchie Lake Watershed Management Plan is stated as follows:
To restore the watershed to conditions that improve aesthetic, habitat, and recreation values. Reducing nutrient loading – primarily phosphorus – will be the critical strategy to achieving this goal.
The following goals were stated to be considered to be met when the following conditions have occurred:
1. Phosphorus levels in the lake will be reduced by the maximum extent possible
2. Reduction of large-scale cyanobacteria blooms
3. The lake will be desirable for swimming and other recreational activities.
Actions that will be undertaken to accomplish our goal include:
2. Investigate strategies to reduce nutrient (Phosphorus) loading
3. Implement strategies to reduce Phosphorus loading
4. Provide residents with tools and strategies to restore the watershed
5. Improve access to Bouchie Lake
6. Continue monitoring water quality, quantity, and Phosphorus levels
While activities were certainly completed under the Plan, they have not been evaluated on a consistent basis.
The Board of Directors of the Bouchie Lake Watershed Stewardship society met on July 26, 2023 to discuss a Strategic Plan going forward. It was decided that reviewing the 2009 Plan was the first step to forming a plan and setting priorities going forward.
Action 1 – Determine sources of Phosphorus entering the lake and conduct water quality/quantity research
1. Determine sources of Phosphorus entering the lake
Action
Status
Comments
Actions
1.a) BC Ministry of Environment will summarize all recent secchi and water temperature data. This will provide us with additional background information on trends over time.
Lots of information available already
Focus of BLWSS is Bouchie Lake and Milburn Lake and the entire watershed.
Raise awareness of residents (Many new residents to the community / watershed)
Letter to Ministry of Environment (Minister); cc: MoA, MoH, MLA Coralee Oakes
Collecting O2 data in the lake(s) - Temperature (baseline data; photos)
1.b) BC Ministry of Environment will investigate P inputs from livestock operations. In other watersheds where P loading is a leading contributor to nutrient problems in a lake environment, commercial livestock operations have been identified as a significant source. In Bouchie Lake, livestock wintering areas and agriculture land contribute 13.5% and 42.2% of total annual Phosphorus exports to sub-basins, respectively (J.S Hart & Associates, 2002). Winter feeding area manag
Environmental Farm Plan - cost share funding for bonafide operators
Environmental Farm Plan Program - Province of British Columbia
Agriculture Uses have reduced in watershed
Changing ecology - increased deciduous stands (pioneer species) vs. open stands of Fd (Douglas fir)
Host Info. Share on EFP
1.c) BLSC will investigate doing further assessment on the sources of P going into the creeks and upper watershed.
1.d) BC Ministry of Environment will conduct further sediment sampling to better understand the variability of Phosphorus in the lake.
Sediment Core Samples available
2. Investigate strategies to reduce nutrient loading
Action
Status
Comments
Actions
2.a) BC Ministry of Environment conducted a preliminary review of dredging lakes as a potential strategy to reduce the amount of P in the lake, which was completed in October of 2006. It was the determined that this would likely be an expensive option with potential negative impacts.
NO ACTION
2.b) A Dredging Task Force will further investigate dredging as an option to remove P currently in the lake. They will look into a company that provides this service and will report back with information on cost, benefits, risk, etc.
NO ACTION
2.c) BC Ministry of Environment will research permitting requirements for dredging of Bouchie Lake and will forward to the Dredging Task Force.
NO ACTION
2.d) A committee of the BLSC will request that CRD conduct a feasibility study on a public sewage system. One option to control P deposition in the watershed is a public sewer system. Many current systems in the watershed are outdated and contribute a great deal to the nutrient loading in the lake. Even improved systems may be contributing, as they are more efficient at removing pathogens, but still allow the P to reach the watershed. A public sewage management system could potentially remove a great deal of P before it has a chance to reach the watershed. Results will be made available to Bouchie Lake Stakeholders.
See Action 3
This idea has been proposed and discussed before at many different levels. Each time it has been dropped for a variety of reasons:e.g. CRD not willing to hold a referendum; landowners not willing to accept the extra taxation costs: disagreement on the scope of the taxation function. Unless there is a new way of approaching this, I propose we let it drop as being simply unattainable at the present time. DL
2.e) BC Ministry of Environment will provide a copy of the limnologists report to BLSC for review by Bouchie Lake stakeholders. A limnologists report was completed in November of 2006. This report was a review of studies of Bouchie Lake and contains recommendations for water quality improvement.
Follow up with Ministry of Environment for Limnology Reports
3. – Implement strategies to reduce Phosphorus loading
Action
Status
Comments
Actions
3.a) BLSC with BCES and BC Ministry of Environment will continue restoration work in the watershed. Restoration work on Purser Creek Road was started in October of 2009. This work will continue pending further funding opportunities. A portion of the road was identified as a nutrient source due to a sloughing bank draining into Purser Creek. A wattle fence was constructed to hold back sediment, and vegetation was planted.
This appears to me to be a doable activity. We would need to discover from previous participants , what stage they had reached in this action and whether any further action is now required and if so what? DL
3.b) BLSC will request CRD implement the development of a community sewage system pending the outcome of a feasibility study. There are several options for this. One of these is a comprehensive system with complete infrastructure: collection pipes and a treatment facility. Alternatively, sewage tanks may be left in place, with collection and removal to a waste treatment facility, where effluent can be released at an appropriate location.
Host Info Share on Government Subsidies (re: septic system upgrades)
Identify process for establishing a sewer system around Bouchie Lake (establishing a taxation function)
Follow up with Feasibility Study (CRD)
See my comment in 2d above. DL
3.c) BLSC will identify further projects that will reduce nutrient loading.
Info Share This is something we can work on. DL
4. Provide residents with tools and strategies to restore the watershed
Action
Status
Comments
Actions
4.a) BLSC, in partnership with BCES will conduct workshops to teach riparian protection and enhancement. Residents have expressed a desire to take actions on their own properties to improve the near-shore habitat.
Identify Values of Watershed - community
E.g. Wildlife Habitat, Pelican Feeding, Fisheries, Recreational, Resident Wellbeing (happiness), Agriculture
Develop partnerships (Community Engagement)
Potential Partners: CRD, BLRC / BLCA, MoE, MoTI, UNBC, Baker Creek Enhancement Society, Lhtako Dene Nation, Nazko FN (Arch. Sites on Bouchie lake), BC Habitat Conservation, BC Watershed Society, BL School, North Cariboo Trappers Association
If we accept this, we would need to take the initiative, and we should strike a committee to work on it. DL
4.b) BCES, with Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Agriculture and Lands, BC Cattleman’s Association, and BC Horse Council, will develop and implement a targeted public education campaign to watershed residents. Residents of the greater watershed area have a significant impact on Bouchie Lake. There will be a Watershed Awareness Program aimed at reducing P inputs into the watershed. Specific information for ranchers, homeowners, landowners, forestry workers, and other users will be developed and disseminated.
Watershed Awareness Program
- Children programming
- newsletter
- social media (facebook)
Are the named agencies prepared to pursue this initiative? If they are, there is a lot of overlap between this initiative and 4a above, if not 4a becomes all the more important. DL
4.c) BCES will develop a Bouchie Lake webpage on the BCES website. This will be a central location for residents and stakeholders to find information and documents relating to the Bouchie-Milburn Watershed.
Website (Communtiy Engagement)
History of the Community / Lake(s)
History of the BLWSS
Membership - How to / Benefits; Online Membership Form (google forms)
Programs / Projects - e.g. Access Maintenance (partnership with CRD)
Poker Paddle, Casino Night
Aeration
I believe this should be a priority. DL
4.d) BCES, in partnership with BC Ministry of Environment, will develop a Bouchie- Milburn Watershed Fact Sheet. This will be distributed via a door-to-door campaign and will also be made available on the Bouchie Lake webpage.
Watershed Fact Sheet
No action has occurred on this. If BLWSS believes it is a worthwhile endeavour, I believe that it will have to be undertaken by BLWSS. DL
4.e) BCES will survey residents on their willingness to have watershed restoration done on their property. This information will be used to show residents what can be done to prevent erosion and filter phosphates and sediments from the water entering the lake. It will also demonstrate that the cost and effort is affordable.
Survey - Google Forms (BLWSS gmail drive)
No action has occurred on this. If BLWSS believes it is a worthwhile endeavour, I believe that it will have to be undertaken by BLWSS. DL
4.f) BC Ministry of Environment and BLSC will investigate programs available from BC Ministry of Agriculture and Lands. For residents interested in more in-depth or specific solutions to their property, there should be a program in place so that landowners can receive prescriptions specific to their properties. This might include, but is not limited to: planting prescriptions (species, location, density), methods to reduce erosion, sewage management, and livestock management. This may be tied in to workshops.
No action has occurred on this. If BLWSS believes it is a worthwhile endeavour, I believe that it will have to be undertaken by BLWSS. DL
4.g) BLSC will develop information packages for new lakeshore residents. New lakeshore residents often are not aware of the issues around the Bouchie Lake watershed or lakeshore living in general. The information package will contain background information on the watershed, current issues related to water quality, options for reducing impacts, and improving riparian habitat. This package will be distributed to new residents via real estate agents or a neighbour-to-neighbour system.
Info. Pkg. for New Residents
Communication - website, social media, newsletter, Farmers Market, Banners, word of mouth, email
No action has occurred on this. If BLWSS believes it is a worthwhile endeavour, I believe that it will have to be undertaken by BLWSS. Further suggestion: purchase and make available to residents, copies of “On the Living Edge” by Sarah Kipp and Clive Callaway. DL
4.h) BLSC will continue to identify projects, programs and resources for implementation of this plan
Tri-Athalon: Boat, Ride, Bike
Potential Partners: QDRC, BLCA, FoBM, BC Horsemen, BL Gymkhana, N. Cariboo Trappers Assoc.
5. Improve Access to Bouchie Lake
Action
Status
Comments
Actions
5.a) BLSC will request that CRD investigate improved and restored access to Bouchie Lake. At least one public access point is inaccessible and this needs to be remedied.
MoTI Accesses to Bouchie Lake (x7)
MoTI Access to Milburn Lake (x3)
5.b) BLSC will work with CRD and MOE to improve the current boat launch and it’s impacts on the shorelines.
Partnerships - MoTI, CRD
NCRP / North Cariboo Rec. and Parks
Bouchie - Milburn Community Park (junction of Blackwater Rd / Nazko Rd) - owned by MoTI; Occupation provided to BLRC (BL Rec. Commission) under NCRP Function; Local Government commission (established under Local Government Act); partnership with MoTI
$3000.00 Contribution Agreement (North Cariboo Economic Development Taxation Function)
5.c) BLSC will work with CRD and other partners on to further develop the boat launch site for better access and protecting adjacent properties
Explore park opportunity on Bouchie Lake; all private land; park to be added to NCRP Function (??)
Discuss with Director Barbara Bachmeier (Jt. Planning Committee / CRD Northern Rural Caucus)
Provincial Park (??)
6. Continue monitoring water quality, quantity, Phosphorus levels, and riparian habitat
Action
Status
Comments
Actions
6.a) Ministry of Environment, BLSC, BCES, and volunteers will continue to monitor water quality, quantity, and phosphorus levels. This will give a measure of success as projects to improve the watershed and reduce phosphorus loading are implemented.
Lake Monitoring
Riparian Areas
Having joined BCLSS we may be able to access oxygen level monitoring equipment. DL
6.b) BLSC will investigate opportunities for riparian habitat assessment and monitoring.
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse