Cowichan News Leader Pictorial, July 11, 2014

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Up front: Sportsplex counting on referendum to survive Community: Most newsworthy not a boat, it’s a work of art

Friday, July 11, 2014

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Cowichan News Leader Pictorial 1

For all the news of the Cowichan region as it happens, plus stories from around British Columbia, go to our website www.cowichannewsleader.com

Friday, July 11, 2014

River slowed to conserve water

North Cowichan casts Maple Bay boats adrift Eviction notice: Boats moored offshore given seven days to leave

Situation grave: but officials feel move will buy the Cowichan 30 extra days

Don Bodger

News Leader Pictorial

Kathy Santini

News Leader Pictorial

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he water situation in the Cowichan region is grave, said Rob Hutchins, Cowichan Watershed Board co-chair. The combination of a dry spring and low snow pack has resulted in Cowichan Lake being almost 40 centimetres lower than it normally is at this time of year. Locals were put on stage two water restrictions earlier this month and the area’s largest water user, Catalyst Paper, reduced the Cowichan River’s flow from the seven cubic metres per second permitted in its license to five in an effort to make the water stored behind the weir last until the fall rains. “Reducing the flow from seven to five buys us 30 extra days (of water) in the lake,” Catalyst’s GM Rob Belanger said, while adding the reduction won’t impact mill operations. Rodger Hunter, co-ordinator for the CWB said the good news is that all the partners who can do anything about the situation are working together. “So many people know and care about this watershed...and they should,” Hunter said. Catalyst hosts weekly calls with representatives from the Cowichan Tribes, the Cowichan Valley Regional District, the CWB and various stewardship groups to monitor the situation, he added. The situation is worse than in 2003, Hunter said, in that it wasn’t until late August, not mid-July, when Catalyst reduced the river’s flow to five. “We’re well in advance of previous years,” he said. The Cowichan Watershed Board was established in 2010 to implement the Cowichan Basin Water Management Plan for the Cowichan watershed. Actions that have been taken to date: • Catalyst asked its 600 employees for suggestions on conserving water; • Fisheries and Oceans Canada is prepared, with Cowichan Tribes, to truck chinook salmon to spawning grounds if needed; • Island Health is increasing water quality monitoring • Stewardship groups have moved stranded juvenile fish from side channels and pools to the main part of the river and increased public education initiatives; • The province co-ordinated a provincial government drought planning session earlier this month. Despite the proactive measures, Hunter said a number of concerns continue. They include: more on page 4

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wners of anchored or moored boats in Bird’s Eye Cove received notice Wednesday from the Municipality of North Cowichan they need to remove them within seven days or face a $500 fine. “Be advised that effective immediately, you are hereby ordered to relocate your vessel clear of the Private Residence Water Lot Zone (W1) as it is in direct contravention of Section 64.1 of District Zoning Bylaw 2950,’’ reads the notice from Scott Mack, director of development services for North Cowichan. “The W1 zone is reprinted on the reverse side of this letter in addition to a map illustrating the extent of Municipal jurisdiction which Jon Lefebure: extends 1,000 feet out from the high legitimate concern water mark and covers Bird’s Eye Cove. Moorage at anchor or by mooring buoy is not a permitted use. “Moorage at anchor or by mooring buoy for any period of time is prohibited. Failure to comply with this order by 9 a.m., July 16, 2014 will result in the issuance of a $500 fine payable to the district.’’ North Cowichan council was expected to discuss the sudden move to declare all moored boats in Bird’s Eye Cove illegal in a meeting occurring at press time yesterday. Floathome owners Don and Bridget Bruneski are among those affected and expressed concern there has been no previous information from North Cowichan, publicity or posting of notices. “We’ve had our boat here for pretty close to 22 years on a mooring,’’ said Bridget. “We’ve never had any notification from North Cowichan with anything to do with it. “To be given a notice to be gone in seven days is bizarre. It’s sort of a sledgehammer approach.’’ Peanut Butter The Maple Bay Community Association recently expressed its concern about derelicts, sewage hook-ups for live-aboards and noise bylaws as three areas that needed to be enforced. North Cowichan staff was directed to review the situation. “Staff reviewed our zoning regulations for W1 that Andrew Leong regulates the shoreline within 1,000 feet in Maple Carlow Rush, a dancer from Carlson’s School of Dance, performs a hip hop dance during Duncan Got Bay,’’ said North Cowichan Mayor Jon Lefebure. more on page 14 Talent dance showcase at Charle Hoey Park’s CUPE stage on Wednesday.

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