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We are an
nonprofit association of volunteers representing a grassroots group of
concerned taxpayers and citizens who are not necessarily experts in all
technical aspects of the subject. We welcome, from all parties, any corrections
or additional information that could assist our community in its quest
to ensure our common goal of "Quality Water for Health and Recreation
for Present and Future Generations".
At a general
meeting on September 7, 2003 the members of the Hotel
Lake Water Conservation Association resolved to change its name to
Area A Quality Water Association. Since its inception AAQWA has worked
towards increasing community awareness and input, to assist and support
the appropriate agencies, in our common goal of ensuring available, quality
water for all balanced with prudent growth and development.
FAQs
1.
Does AAQWA have a Constitution and has it been properly formalized as
a Society?
A draft Constitution, Bylaws and Mission Statement has been circulated
to the membership for consideration. It is anticipated that this will
be finalized at the AGM during the summer of 2004 and at that time the
general membership will vote on the desirability of formalizing the Society
as a legal entity.
2.
What is the status of the SCRD water licence application?
Land and Water B.C. ruling, November 19, 2003, stated that the licence
application for 14,000,000 imperial gallons filed by SCRD filed on May
15, 2003 would be parked for 6 months in order to give the SCRD the opportunity
to do a hydrological study which meets with their approval. This study
must confirm the availability of water and the impact of the further withdrawal
from the lake on its water level. To our knowledge, to date, this study
has not been done.
LWBC in their November 19, 2003 letter to the SCRD, also recommended a
"Master Water Allocation Plan" should be developed prior to
making specific water licence application.
The Harris Hydrology Study of 2001/2 dealt with current use only and did
not include the Garden Bay Water Licences which everyone knew were not
being used, but held for emergency use only. The AAQWA objections detailed
the impact of all current licences if they were used and showed that such
use was unsustainable if used to maximum.
On April 1, 2004 the SCRD voted to withdraw the application.
3. What about the transfer of Garden Bay licences to SCRD on March
5 and 8, 2004.
The transfer of the Garden Bay Licences will result in a "further
withdrawal of water" in direct contravention of the LWBC November
19, 2003 ruling.
The impacts detailed by AAQWA in its objection remain to be confirmed
by scientific study. However, internal LWBC evaluation by Hydrologist,
Christie Trainor, and D.F.O. Hydrologist, John Heinonen, substantiate
the AAQWA concerns. The transfer of the Garden Bay licences are an 'end-run'
to circumvent the requirements of LWBC.
A letter dated March 5, 2004 from Glen Davidson, Manager Water Licencing
and Dam Safety for LWBC, states "the new studies on Hotel Lake submitted
to LWBC in connection with the recent SCRD water licence application did
not show in an acceptable manner whether, or not, it could meet additional
water demands. Once the proposed Transfer of Appurtenancy comes into effect.
4. How much water does SCRD want?
During 2003 the Hotel Lake water system exceeded its licenced pumping
by about 20% according to their own pumping records. At present there
are about a dozen homes under construction so this figure is rapidly rising.
These unlicenced withdrawals of water are in contravention of LWBC ruling
of November 19, 2003.
If approved the transfer of the Garden Bay licences will bring the total
of all water licences withdrawal per year to 29,000,000 imperial gallons
per year (approximately one half of a metre) and when added to natural
evaporation (which is two thirds of a metre) as well as natural seepage
(which is one third of a metre), and add further the water required by
the DFO for downstream spawning (an additional third of a metre) there
could be a 1.83 metre withdrawal of water from the lake's surface.
THE TOTAL ANNUAL PRECIPITATION AND INFLOW FROM DRAINAGE IN THE STUDY PERIOD
OF THE HARRIS STUDY CORROBORATED BY D.F.O. STATISTICS AND LAKE GAUGE MEASUREMENTS
TOTALS APPROXIMATELY 1.5 METRES PER YEAR WHICH INDICATES A DEFICIT OF
ONE THIRD OF A METRE PER YEAR.
However, because inflow is greatest in the winter when the pumping is
the least and outlow is greatest in the summer when the least amount of
water comes in, the actual summer drawdown could increase annually until
the lake becomes a scummy pond (eutrophication) shrinking each year as
the lake dies.
5. What about water quality?
The 1992 Lake Study prepared for the SCRD by the Westland Resource Group
recommends a "monitoring program on Hotel Lake particularly for Phosphorus,
to determine the potential impact from additional nutrient input."
The report also says it is the only lake in the area that the aquatic
plant ceratophyllum sppl is present, a possible indicator of high phosphorus
concentrations. The report goes on to say that bacterial contamination
and nutrient additions from increased watershed developments are important
primary water quality concerns.
It should be noted that phosphorus is an important precursor of uncontrolled
growth of plankton and algae which will increase biological demand until
the lake dies. As withdrawal of water is increased from its current level
it is reasonable to predict that water quality will be increased and the
concentration of nutrients and biological contaminants will eventually
make the water unacceptable for domestic purposes. Ultimately there will
be severe public health concerns, biodiversity impacts and economic losses
incurred.
Approval of the transfers will eventually result in the withdrawal of
nearly 1.83 metres of water from the surface of Hotel Lake each year by
evaporation, seepage and domestic water pumping and the need for DFO for
water for salmon in the Sakinaw Drainage Basin. Because Hotel Lake levels
will fall below the Hotel Creek outlet, the water may have to be pumped.
6. What about the dam?
The planned mitigation project which was part of the licence application
will not function because lake levels will be falling over time because
of an accumulating annual deficit of water flowing into the lake compared
to water going out of the lake.
7. How will Garden Bay be affected by the sale to SCRD of their water
licences on Hotel Lake for $79,950 paid for by a developer who wants to
subdivide?
The residents of Garden Bay will be without an emergency water plan, for
an interim three year period until the SCRD constructs a connecting pipeline
which is in its 10 year plan. We understand the present policy of the
SCRD would necessitate the Garden Bay Water District users pay for this
connecting pipe due to the SCRD "user pay" policy. Unfortunately,
there may be no water for this pipe because the water has been designated
for new subdivision and developments in Irvines Landing and Daniel Point.
8. How has AAQWA responded?
We recommend:
· The SCRD is looking at the AAQWA suggestions presented at the
March 31, 2004 Board Meeting.
· That the SCRD should construct the 700 metre pipe to join the
Garden Bay and Hotel Lake systems immediately.
· SCRD pump water from Hotel Lake only in the winter. This will
reduce summer drawdown and allow Hotel Creek to flow earlier in the fall
to keep the lake healthy and provide water for the Mixal Coho Salmon run.
· SCRD use Garden Bay Lake in summer (current drawdown with be
2.68 inches increasing to 4 inches within 5 years)
· SCRD put a referendum before all Area 'A' voters to fund a master
water plan for planning treatment, engineering and distribution construction.
9. What happens now?
AAQWA has applied for and received a grant from the Westcoast Environmental
Fund to cover some legal expenses. The Association subsequently filed
an Application for an Appeal for a stay on the licence transfers with
the Environmental Appeal Board.
10. Errors or Omissions:
We strive to present all information accurately and completely. If you
notice an error or omission please contact us with the correct information.
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