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 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 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 Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD), along with the shíshálh Nation and other local governments on the Sunshine Coast are working on several projects to increase water supply. Moving forward, updates will be provided on these projects monthly.

This is the May update on projects and initiatives underway in the Region.

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

Projects

Water Meter Program

The residential portion of the water meter installation program is underway 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.

The SCRD is aware of recent social media discussions expressing concern over the fittings used in the water meter installation project within the District of Sechelt. To clarify, the contractor for the project has advised they are only using brass compression fittings for this project and not the fittings referred to as ‘sharkbite’ fittings. For any inquiries or to access accurate information regarding the water meter installation process, our staff are ready to assist. You can reach out through the Water Meter Project Let’s Talk Page (https://letstalk.scrd.ca/water-metering) or via email at infrastructure@scrd.ca.

Lower Crown Raw Water Reservoir

With the generous support of Province of B.C. grant funding of over $1.2 Million, the shíshálh Nation and the SCRD are confirming the technical feasibility of the Lower Crown Raw Water Reservoir project and the annual operating costs for the SCRD regional water 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. In addition to funding confirmation, the project requires final approval from the SCRD Board and elector approval from the regional water system participants.

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 has requested a reduction in this number for the early summer months which would allow for more water to be stored in Chapman Lake for late summer.

The Provincial Government has asked for a considerable amount of data, through two plans, an Adaptive Management Plan (AMP) and Environmental Monitoring Plan (EMP). SCRD staff are working closely with staff from shíshálh Nation and the Province to develop a plan for EFN management that could be implemented starting this summer.

Siphons

Since 2017 siphons have been available for use at Chapman Lake and Edwards Lake during Stage 4 water conservation regulations. The SCRD have asked for the ability to leave siphons in place at Chapman Lake and Edwards Lake for the foreseeable future. As with EFN, SCRD staff are working closely with staff from shíshálh Nation and the Province. This is currently under review by the shíshálh Nation and multiple ministries at the Province.

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. SCRD staff are working closely with staff from shíshálh Nation to determine shíshálh support for drilling on the selected sites. Drilling is planned to take place this summer. If results of test wells are favourable, the next phase would be design, engineering and permitting of production wells in the chosen locations.

Pender Water Systems

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 about water projects under way in the region at letstalk.scrd.ca/water.

After a week of warm dry weather, the BC Wildfire Service is prohibiting  Category 2 (back yard) and Category 3  (industrial) open fires in the Coastal Fire Centre effective 12:00 noon Friday May 17, 2024.

In addition to these prohibitions, the Coastal Fire Centre will also be restricting the following activities and equipment:

• Fireworks
• Sky Lanterns
• Binary Exploding Targets
• Burn Barrels or Burn Cages of any size or description
• Air Curtain Burners

Fire Departments across the Sunshine Coast will continue to evaluate the need for further prohibitions and restrictions but with the current forecast, we are still a few weeks away from considering a Category 1 campfire prohibition.

Those who wish to have campfires must ensure that the fire is no larger than half a metre wide by half a metre high in size.

If you are planning to have a campfire, you must ensure that you always have at least eight litres of water or a hand tool with you while the campfire is lit. Before leaving your fire, you must put it out so that it is cool to the touch. Check out this [www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/public-safety-and-emergency-services/wildfire-status/fire-bans-and-restrictions/category-1-campfire-poster.pdf]resource from the BC Wildfire Service for further information.

In the Gibsons area, there are different fire regulations for the two SCRD rural areas; Elphinstone and West Howe Sound and the Town of Gibsons. Campfires are allowed in Elphinstone and West Howe Sound year-round but may be banned by the Fire Chief during high risk periods. The Town of Gibsons does not allow campfires at any time.

If you are unsure if your address is in an SCRD rural area or the Town of Gibsons, you can search your address here.

Further information on the burning ban can be found here from the BC Wildfire Service.

Summer is on the way and the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) is providing a little refresher for residents and visitors to enjoy beaches and beach accesses responsibly.

The SCRD currently maintains over 40 beach accesses with each one offering a unique experience of our beautiful shorelines and waterways. Some are remote, others are close to homes, so it is important to be aware of your surroundings and respectful of residents and wildlife.

When entering a beach, please keep pets on leashes and of course, clean up after them. The only thing beach users should be cleaning off their feet at the end of a fun, sun filled day is sand! Believe it or not, there are still some visitors to beaches who somehow manage to forget their garbage. Please pack out what you bring in, leave no garbage behind. A bottle, candy wrapper or half eaten sandy jam sandwich can really ruin the beautiful beaches we have.

In many beach accesses, parking is limited and some popular accesses may be restricted (tow-away zones). To reduce congestion and to allow access by emergency vehicles, local beach users might consider walking or biking to the beach.

In the summer months, many of us have a fire on the beach to welcome the sunset and catch up with friends and family. Beach fires are permitted year-round but may be banned by fire departments during high risk periods. The SCRD asks that visitors follow these regulations when starting up a campfire:

• A campfire is defined as a fire no larger than 0.5 metres high and 0.5 metres in diameter.
• Select your spot below the high-tide line and make sure to construct your containment ring with rocks.
• You must keep at least eight litres of water or a hand tool at all times while the campfire is lit.
• Before you leave the area for any amount of time, your campfire must be fully extinguished. The ashes of your fire must be cool to the touch.
• The area around your campfire must be clear of debris and anything combustible.

In the Gibsons area, there are different fire regulations for the two SCRD rural areas; Elphinstone and West Howe Sound and the Town of Gibsons.

Campfires are allowed in Elphinstone and West Howe Sound year-round but may be banned by the Fire Chief during high risk periods. The Town of Gibsons does not allow campfires at any time.

If you are unsure if your address is in an SCRD rural area or the Town of Gibsons, you can search your address here.

If you have any concerns or wish to report any damage to our beach accesses, contact parks at 604-885-6802 or email parks@scrd.ca. For information about beach accesses, visit https://www.scrd.ca/beach-access

To view the parks bylaw click here.

Due to ongoing road repairs, Katherine Lake Park and Campground will remain closed until at least early July.

Damage to the road and subsequent closure.

As was communicated in this update three weeks ago, heavy rainfall in February caused significant damage to the park’s access road, leading to a sinkhole which posed major safety risks. The road was closed after an inspection where the road was found to have structural damage including an undersized and corroded culvert system.

Update on repairs.

Repairs of the road involve a complete replacement of the culvert system and reinforcement of the road base. As the stream that runs below the road is fish bearing, the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) must receive the proper permits to conduct the repair work (Federal and Provincial).

Over the past two months, the SCRD hired contractors to complete surveys, hydrological work and engineering design for the road repair. Reports provided by these experts are being prepared for submission to the relevant authorities.

The SCRD has been advised that permits may not be received for several weeks, until late June at the earliest. SCRD staff are doing all they can to expedite this process.

Campground bookings.

The operator for the Katherine Lake Campground will contact those with bookings up until early July directly to cancel camp site bookings.

Next update.

The SCRD understands that cancellation of campground bookings and the closure of the park is an inconvenience both to visitors to the Sunshine Coast and residents. However, the vital work to repair the access road cannot be completed until permitting has been received.

The SCRD will provide a further update in mid-June on the efforts being undertaken to repair the access road and whether further cancellations are anticipated for campground bookings.

Home Composter Rebates are back for another year. The Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) is giving out rebates of up to $100 to start or expand composting at home.

Rebates are available to homeowners from Egmont to West Howe Sound, the islands within the SCRD, and in the municipalities of District of Sechelt, shíshálh Nation Government District and Town of Gibsons.

Applications will be accepted until September 1, 2024 or until funding for this year runs out.

Find more information at www.scrd.ca/composting including:

• Eligibility criteria,
• Application process (including forms),
• Resources for choosing a composter that fits the needs of your home, and
• How to mitigate potential wildlife interactions by composting responsibly.

Follows us on Facebook this week for daily tips and to learn more about composting at https://www.facebook.com/sunshinecoastrd.

Interested applicants must apply and be approved before purchasing a composter to receive a rebate.

Questions and completed applications should be sent to infrastructure@scrd.ca.

The Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) is starting its annual Islands Clean Up program, a residential garbage and recycling collection service for island residences on Anvil, Gambier, Keats, and surrounding islands, Thormanby, Trail, Hardy and Nelson Islands.

Seven separate events are planned for July and August to collect garbage and scrap metal for recycling. This year’s special items for collection include mattresses, boxsprings, fridges and freezers.

Register, review the schedule and find information on accepted items at https://letstalk.scrd.ca/islands-cleanup. Registration for flags stops and special items is required.