Thanks to some local support, a temporary repair has been carried out on the Katherine Lake access road.

The road had been closed since February when heavy rainfall caused a sinkhole to open on the road. The Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) was recently informed that permits to allow for a permanent fix on the road may take up to two months which would further delay the opening of the park.

Today, SCRD staff worked with a local contractor who generously assisted with the temporary repair, overseen by a biologist. Staff will continue the permitting process for a permanent fix to the road but will carry out that work in the fall.

Park and Campground Access

The SCRD is working with the park operator to prepare the park and campground to open for public use as soon as possible.  Until the operator is onsite, the park and campground remain closed.

“We were expecting the park to be closed into July, so this is great news,” said Shelley Gagnon, General Manager of Community Services. “We understand that everyone is keen to get back into the park, particularly with the long weekend ahead, but our staff and park operator need a few more days to get everything in place for reopening.”

The SCRD will provide an update when the park is ready to be reopened to the public.

The snowpack at Chapman and Edwards Lake has melted and the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) is advising that Stage 2 Water Conservation Regulations are expected to be in place in the coming weeks. While recent June rains have provided some relief to our water supply, Environment Canada and the BC Provincial Government are forecasting a hot summer and asking residents to get prepared.

SCRD staff went to Chapman and Edwards lakes last week to conduct a snowpack survey to find that there is no snow left. This is amongst the earliest the SCRD has seen a snowpack melt since snow surveys began.  The images below show the difference between the amount of snow at Chapman Lake in June 2022, May 2023 and May 2024.

Image: Snowpack comparison between June 2022, May 2023 and May 2024.

Images: Left shows Chapman Lake in May 2024, the right shows Chapman Lake with snow in May 2023

The data seen on the Sunshine Coast is consistent with many other communities in the province who are also preparing for drought this summer.

A video, further explaining the impact of a low snowpack on water systems can be found by clicking here.

“With such a low snowpack, we will need to take action and implement Stage 2 water conservation regulations in the coming weeks which is earlier than past years,” says General Manager of Infrastructure Services Remko Rosenboom. “The melting of the snowpack in early spring plays a huge role in the recharge of our water systems. Therefore, SCRD staff are doing all they can to prepare for the adverse effects of predicted warm and dry weather on our community.”

A message on lawn watering

With drier weather in the forecast, the SCRD is appealing to residents to resist the urge to water lawns when it starts to get warmer. In previous years, the SCRD has seen significant increases in outdoor water use as soon as the weather warmed up, in some cases, SCRD utility operators had to work through the night to maintain the demand on the Chapman Water Treatment Plant.

If residents in all water systems can keep conservation top of mind then there is potential that Stage 2 water conservation regulations may not be needed as soon as mid-June.

For context, one hour of lawn sprinkling uses on average 960 litres of water. Cutting down on lawn sprinkling will make a big difference.  In comparison, the SCRD is asking that residents maintain a target of 200 litres of use per person per day when the weather is hot and dry.

The next drought response update will be provided to the public during the SCRD’s Committee of the Whole meeting on June 13, 2024. Links to watch this update will be available at www.scrd.ca/agendas and the video will be posted to www.scrd.ca/water-updates after the meeting has taken place

Wondering what the SCRD and other local governments are doing to increase supply on the Sunshine Coast? A water supply projects and initiatives update was provided to the community in mid-May, you can find this update here.

Thanks to community support and the hard work of Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) Parks services staff and the contracted park campground operator, Katherine Lake Park and Campground will reopen to the public on Friday, June 7.

The road had been closed since February when heavy rainfall caused a sinkhole to open on the road. In May, SCRD staff worked with a local contractor who generously assisted with a temporary repair of the road until a permanent fix can be completed in the fall.

For more information on the park or to book a campsite, visit www.katherinelakecampground.ca/

The Sunshine Coast Regional District is proceeding with an Alternative Approval Process (AAP) to authorize the borrowing of up to $1,499,500 to finance the cost of replacing a fire engine in the Gibsons and West Howe Sound Fire Protection service. The loan is to be repaid over a period not exceeding 10 years.

So, what is an AAP? Quite simply, if the SCRD wants to take out a long-term loan, the approval of the electors is required. The AAP is a process where you only submit a response form if you are opposed to the proposal – in this case, opposed to the borrowing.

The elector response form and information about the AAP is available at www.scrd.ca/aap as well as at the SCRD office at 1975 Field Road, Wilson Creek, during regular office hours of 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Response forms may be submitted by mail or in-person and must be received at the SCRD Field Road office before 4:30 p.m. on Monday, July 15, 2024.

SCRD staff will also be available in-person at the Field Road office Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, excluding statutory holidays, to answer questions related to the AAP.

More information on this AAP may be obtained by contacting Sherry Reid, Corporate Officer by telephone at 604-885-6825.

The public is invited to submit questions about this AAP at letstalk.scrd.ca/fire-engine-aap

The Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) will hold a public hearing on June 24, 2024, to consider Amending Zoning Bylaw No. 722.9 and 337.123. The purpose of the amendments is to strengthen the protection of riparian areas (land beside freshwater) and shorelines in the Electoral Areas and update SCRD bylaws to meet legislative requirements.  

Get Informed  

In recognition of the technical nature of the amendments, staff have posted a narrated slideshow video on the Let’s Talk platform explaining the reason for the proposed amendments. If you are interested in this bylaw amendment, please watch the video.  

Ask a Question  

After watching the video, if you have a question, they can be posted to the Let’s Talk platform and staff will respond. Staff will use the questions to build a presentation for the public hearing to ensure it addresses areas of community interest. You can access the page by clicking here.  

Please note that the questions you ask via the Let’s Talk platform will not form part of the public record for the Public Hearing. The focus of both the narrated presentation and the Let’s Talk platform is to ensure that members of the community are well informed prior to submitting comments at the public hearing. 

Participate in the Public Hearing 

The public hearing will take place on June 24, 2024, at 7PM. Members of the public can join virtually / online or in-person at the SCRD’s Main Administration Building on Field Road in Sechelt. Further information can be found at https://www.scrd.ca/public-hearings.  

About the Proposed Amendments 

• To date, the amendments have been referred to the Advisory Planning Commissions (APC) and relevant agencies, an APC workshop was delivered, and the bylaws have passed first and second readings. Staff reports are posted on the Let’s Talk page. 
• Two of the three proposed amendments are housekeeping amendments which seek to bring SCRD bylaws into alignment with Provincial legislation, regulations, and guidelines.  
• The third amendment is not required for legislative alignment, however, is an opportunity to provide clarity to property owners and their contractors to prevent encroachment into protected riparian areas. 

If you are planning work in a riparian area, please visit www.scrd.ca/streams. This webpage includes information on stream and riparian protection, including what steps are required before developing or altering land within 30 meters of a watercourse or top of bank.  

As part of the Region’s drought response plan, Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) staff are preparing the Church Road Well Field to supplement summer water supply.

The well field is now fully operational and can supply 4.6 million litres, nearly two Olympic sized swimming pools worth of water per day to residents on the Chapman Water System.

As part of the preparation to bring the well field online, a purpose-built chemical storage container will be temporarily installed at the Church Road Well Field Water Treatment Plant tomorrow, June 19. The SCRD understands that this storage container has been the subject of some community concern.

To alleviate concern, the SCRD has already hosted an online information session, provided answers to multiple questions from the public and just this week, staff went door to door in the area to speak with residents and provide them factual information about the container.

The resource provided to residents can be found here.

Stay informed about the SCRD’s drought response at www.scrd.ca/water-updates.

The public hearing to consider Amending Zoning Bylaw No. 722.9 and 337.123 has been postponed. The public hearing was originally due to take place this Monday, June 24.

Why postpone the public hearing?

A key part of this public hearing has been an opportunity for residents to ask questions prior to the hearing taking place. The Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) has received a considerable number of questions related to the proposed amendments to the bylaw.

As a result, the SCRD will host a public information meeting prior to the rescheduled public hearing. This will ensure that these questions can be answered before the public hearing takes place.

Get Informed

Residents can continue to get informed about these proposed amendments and can ask questions at any time here on the Let’s Talk Platform.

Public Hearing Submissions

 If you have already provided a written submission for the public hearing that was scheduled for Monday, June 24, it is still valid and will form part of the public record for the rescheduled public hearing.

Dates for both the public information meeting and rescheduled public hearing will be provided early next week on the SCRD Website and via the SCRD Facebook Page.

Following the postponement of Monday’s public hearing to consider Amending Zoning Bylaw No. 722.9 and 337.123, new dates are now available for both the public hearing and a public information meeting open house that will take place prior to the public hearing.

The purpose of the zoning bylaw amendments is to strengthen the protection of riparian areas (land beside freshwater) and shorelines in the Electoral Areas and update Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) bylaws to meet legislative requirements and provincial guidelines.

Get Informed – Public Information Meeting

Understanding that there is a lot of interest and questions about the proposed amendments, the SCRD will host a public information meeting prior to the rescheduled public hearing.

Date: July 4, 2024
Time: 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Location: Sunshine Coast Regional District Boardroom, located at 1975 Field Road, Sechelt

The meeting will be hosted in an open house format, allowing participants to drop in at their convenience during the designated hours. An information station for each proposed amendment will provide an opportunity for community members to have one on one conversations with staff on these proposed changes.

It will provide an opportunity for community members to ask questions, share feedback, and gain a deeper understanding of the proposed amendments.

Respectful questions and dialogue are invited. SCRD has zero tolerance for disrespectful communication and behaviour per SCRD’s Respectful Workplace Policy.

Get Informed – Online

Residents can continue to get informed about these proposed amendments and ask questions at any time here on the Let’s Talk Platform.

Please note that the questions you ask via the Let’s Talk platform will not form part of the public record for the Public Hearing.

Rescheduled Public Hearing

The rescheduled public hearing will take place on Tuesday, July 16, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. Members of the public can join virtually / online or in-person at the SCRD’s Main Administration Building on Field Road in Sechelt. Further information can be found at https://www.scrd.ca/public-hearings.

About the Proposed Amendments

• To date, the amendments have been referred to the Advisory Planning Commissions (APC) and relevant agencies, an APC workshop was delivered, and the bylaws have passed first and second readings. Staff reports are posted on the Let’s Talk page.
• Two of the three proposed amendments are housekeeping amendments which seek to bring SCRD bylaws into alignment with Provincial legislation, regulations, and guidelines.
• The third amendment is not required for legislative alignment, however, is an opportunity to provide clarity to property owners and their contractors to prevent encroachment into protected riparian areas.

A reminder that if you are planning work in a riparian assessment area, please visit www.scrd.ca/streams. This webpage includes information on stream and riparian protection, including what steps are required before developing or altering land within 30 meters of a watercourse or top of bank.

The Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD), along with other local governments on the Sunshine Coast are working on several projects to increase water supply.

This is the June update on projects and initiatives underway in the Region.  Last month’s update can be found here.

Many of these initiatives are being moved forward through a Water Supply Technical Working Group. This group meets monthly and includes representatives from the SCRD, the District of Sechelt, Town of Gibsons, shíshálh Nation and the Provincial Government.

New Resource

The SCRD has developed a map to show where water projects are taking place on the Sunshine Coast. The map can be found by clicking here. Users can click on any of the locations / icons on the map and learn about each project. This information will be updated as more details become available on these projects and as they progress further.

Projects

Water Meter Program

The residential portion of the water meter installation program has been underway for three months in the District of Sechelt. This project will see over 4,000 meters installed by next year. Once in place, these meters will greatly assist with leak detection in the system and will also provide the community with valuable information about their own water use. To date, over 1400 meters have been installed. Two of these meter installations have resulted in the detection of major leaks of 3.2 million litres per month. These leaks have since been resolved.

Lower Crown Raw Water Reservoir

There is no substantial update on this project at this time. The following is the most recent update provided in May.

The feasibility of this projects project is still being confirmed in collaboration with the shíshálh Nation.  With over one million dollars in grant funding from the Provincial Government, shíshálh Nation and the SCRD are confirming the technical feasibility of this project and the costs for the SCRD service participants associated with the operation of the reservoir.

A decision is pending on grant applications for funding of the construction costs for this project. If funding confirmation is received, the SCRD Board and the service participants will be engaged to determine if this project will proceed.

Environmental Flow Needs (EFN)

The SCRD releases 200 litres of water per second from Chapman Lake, into Chapman Creek to maintain the health of the ecosystem. The SCRD is awaiting approvals from the shíshálh Nation on a proposal to amend the current EFN. Should the shíshálh Nation approve the plan, it will then be submitted to the Province for their approval.

Siphons

The SCRD has received conditional approval from the shíshálh Nation to leave siphons in place at Chapman and Edwards Lakes for the coming year. An application is being submitted to the Province for continued use of the siphons.

These siphons are vital to maintain Environmental Flow Needs of Chapman Creek as well as summer water supply. They are used to access water from Chapman Lake and Edwards Lake during Stage 4 water conservation regulations.

Groundwater wells – Sechelt

The SCRD has initiated another phase of groundwater investigations to explore the feasibility of supplementing the Chapman Water System with a new groundwater source. This investigation focuses on the Sechelt area, with five identified sites where test wells will be drilled. Further timelines for this project are being actively developed in consultation with the shíshálh Nation

If results of test wells are favourable, the next phase would be design, engineering and permitting of production wells in the chosen locations.

North and South Pender Harbour Water Systems

There is no substantial update on these projects at this time. The following is the most recent update provided in May.

There are several projects underway in North and South Pender water service areas.

Many of these projects are focused on maintenance and replacement of water infrastructure. For example, several water main upgrades, upgrades to McNeil Lake dam and the design of a brand new water treatment plant for Garden Bay. The water main replacements could reduce water main breaks and associated leaks for both systems.

There are also two projects recently approved by the Board to support water supply for the South Pender Water System. A study to confirm the necessity and feasibility of several options to improve water supply for the system and a study to confirm the potential to connect the North Pender and South Pender Water Systems. This project will begin later in the year.

You can learn more and ask questions at any time about water projects under way in the region at letstalk.scrd.ca/water.

Effective July 5 and until further notice, the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) has declared Stage 2 water conservation regulations for water users on the Chapman and Eastbourne Water Systems.

All SCRD water users on the Egmont, Cove Cay, North and South Pender Harbour, Langdale, Soames Point and Granthams Landing water systems will remain at Stage 1 until further notice. If you are unsure of what water system you receive service from, enter your address into the map linked here to find out.

Water conservation regulations help ensure that demand does not exceed the capacity of our water supply and distribution system and also ensures that there is always enough water for fire protection.

Stage 2 Watering Schedule:

 Watering Lawns

• Not permitted.

Watering trees, shrubs or flowers

• Sprinkler or soaker hose, or micro-spray can be used two days per week:
  • Even numbered addresses, Thursday and Sunday from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.
  • Odd numbered addresses, Wednesday and Saturday from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.
• Hand held hose with nozzle, hand held container or drip-irrigation can be used 4 hours per day from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Watering food producing plants and trees

• Sprinkler or soaker hose, or micro-spray can be used two days per week:
  • Even numbered addresses, Thursday and Sunday for from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a. and 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
  • Odd numbered addresses, Wednesday and Saturday from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a. and 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
• Hand held hose with nozzle, hand held container or drip-irrigation can be used any time.

Washing Vehicles or Boats

• Permitted with container, hand-held hose with nozzle, or commercial car washes.

Washing sidewalks and driveways, windows, fences or exterior building surfaces

• Permitted only for preparing surfaces for painting or paving and for health and safety regulations.

Filling swimming pools, spas, garden ponds, or fountains

• Permitted

“Water is no longer flowing over the top of the dam at Chapman Lake, this, combined with the fact that there is no remaining snowpack and the current warm and dry weather, means that we need to take precautionary actions by implementing Stage 2 water conservation regulations without delay,” says General Manager of Infrastructure Services Remko Rosenboom. “The melting of the snowpack in early Summer plays a vital role in the recharge of our water systems. As there is no rain in the forecast, SCRD staff are doing all they can to prepare for, and minimize the adverse effects of predicted drought on our community.”

Visit www.scrd.ca/water-regulations for further details.

A reminder that staff do not take bylaw complaints by phone. Please submit bylaw complaints using the online form at www.scrd.ca/bylaw-complaint-form

Due to forecasted high temperatures on the Sunshine Coast, airconditioned spaces are being made available for the community to take some time out of the heat.

The following locations are available:

Gibsons & Area Community Centre Lobby – 700 Park Road, Gibsons – Map

Check here for facility opening and closing hours.

Sechelt Aquatic Centre Lobby – 5500 Shorncliffe Avenue, Sechelt – Map

Check here for facility opening and closing hours.

Further information on other areas to stay cool in the heat can be found here on the B.C. Provincial Government website and include shopping malls, libraries and shaded green spaces. At this link you can also find information on how to prepare your home for heat.

The community is also encouraged to check in on neighbours and friends while the heat warning is in effect.

Here is a great resource for staying healthy in the heat.

Stay up to date with information from the SCRD at www.scrd.ca/emergency-program. Do you know what to do during an emergency? Visit www.scrd.ca/emergency-alerts to find out.

Fire Chiefs from Sunshine Coast fire departments in Gibsons, Roberts Creek, Sechelt, Halfmoon Bay, Pender Harbour and Egmont are advising residents that a campfire ban will be in effect as of 12:00 p.m. (noon) on Friday, July 12 across the Sunshine Coast.

This includes all fires whether for warmth or cooking and all beach fires, burning barrels, fireworks, firecrackers and sky lanterns.

A great resource explaining the different categories of open burning is available here online.

The campfire prohibition does not apply to cooking stoves that use gas, propane or briquettes, or portable campfire devices that use briquettes, liquid, or gaseous fuel, provided they are CSA or ULC approved, and the height of the flame is less than 15 centimetres.

This ban will be in place until Thursday, October 31, 2024, or until the order is rescinded.

Please contact your local fire department for more information at www.scrd.ca/fire-departments

Many of us on the Sunshine Coast will remember the major flooding event that took place at the end of 2021. One of the hardest hit areas within the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) was Cliff Gilker Park, with two popular pedestrian bridges severely damaged along with several sections of trail completely flooded.

The bridges have been out of action since then, and sections of the trails in the park are showing signs of wear and tear and have continued to slowly erode with each heavy rain. The other two existing bridges are also in rough shape and need to be replaced.

Earlier this year, the SCRD received a report outlining several options for the recovery of the park.  In a staff report provided to the SCRD Board on May 23, 2024, staff have recommended the decommissioning and removal of the lower waterfall and zig zag bridges. The upper waterfall and gorge bridges are being proposed for replacement along with over a half million dollars of trail repairs and accessibility improvements.

The SCRD wants to hear from the community to help shape the future of the park. Whether you visit Cliff Gilker for a stroll once a year on the yellow trail or if you’re a regular on the red trail, we want to know what is important to you so that we can better plan the future of the park.

Perhaps there are areas you would like to see more trails developed. Does the park need more signage? Are there trails that should be made more accessible?

Now as always, there is some fine print. The access road, playground, and picnic areas are not part of this project. As an update to the sports field, remedial work is well underway and staff hope to have the field reopened by the fall.

So, lots of information above and even more at letstalk.scrd.ca/cliff-gilker. On this page you will find background to the project, a map outlining some of the plans for the park and a questionnaire that will take less than five minutes to complete. The questionnaire is available to complete until Friday, August 9.

Your input is greatly appreciated and will help shape the budget proposal being brought forward for the Cliff Gilker Park Recovery Project.

A public hearing held earlier this week to consider proposed amendments to Zoning Bylaw 337 and 722 was well attended by members of the community.

The proposed amendments intend to bring Sunshine Coast Regional District zoning bylaws into alignment with provincial legislation and guidelines while strengthening the protection of watercourses and ocean shorelines within the Electoral Areas.

The public hearing lasted three hours and was kicked off with a presentation by Sunshine Coast Regional District staff. Following the presentation, members of the community provided their comments on the proposed amendments.

There are four specific amendments, which are described, as follows:

1. A proposed amendment to the bylaw calculation of parcel area for subdivision. Action is required related to this proposed amendment to align SCRD Bylaws 722 and 337 with the intent of provincial legislation. This proposed amendment applies to all electoral areas.
2. A proposed amendment to achieve a minimum 17-metre setback for buildings and structures from wetlands and creeks. Action is required related to this proposed amendment to align SCRD Bylaw 337 with the intent of provincial legislation. This proposed amendment applies to Area A only and is consistent with regulations existing in all other electoral areas under Bylaw 722.
3. A proposed amendment to provide a 5-metre buffer to Streamside Protection and Enhancement Areas. This proposed amendment is an optional consideration to address challenges with infractions and development encroachment. This proposed amendment applies to Bylaw 337 and 722 (all electoral areas).
4. A proposed amendment to provide a 15-metre setback for buildings and structures from the ocean. This proposed amendment is an optional consideration to provide alignment of Bylaw 337 with provincial guidelines intended to inform local governments of industry standards that mitigate risks associated with climate adaptation. This proposed amendment applies to Area A only and is consistent with regulations existing in all other electoral areas under Bylaw 722

What’s Next

The community can view video of the public hearing, read the final version of the public hearing binder and continue to ask questions about the proposed amendments by visiting the community information space for the project on the Let’s Talk SCRD website.

In early fall, SCRD planning staff will provide a report to the SCRD Board summarizing public hearing feedback in relation to the proposed amendments. Following consideration of the public feedback, a decision will be made by the SCRD Board on next steps.