Developers of the nearby Muddy Lake subdivision have succeeded in their application to have a “no build” covenant removed from a detached common-use property located on the shore of Little Lac des Roches.
As the ownership in this strata-titled development diversifies with its planned 52 lots, use and facilities erected on this narrow strip of waterfront property will be determined by the owners, within the allowable designated zone.
On Feb. 8, the Cariboo Regional District (CRD) board were posed with a motion from Area L Director Bruce Rattray, who had received letters from concerned residents of Lac des Roches, to defer decision on the covenant removal pending a public information meeting proposed for this summer.
Adhering to the CRD process, directors heard comments only from governing agencies and the applicant at the meeting. While a dozen silent Lac des Roches residents looked on, the directors defeated the motion.
The covenant was removed without public input.
Fishy business
Several parties have left evidence on the ice of fishing success; however, they have also left garbage on the ice.
Beverage cans, liquor bottles and food wrappers are just a few examples of the litter. Fishers are asked to adhere to regulations, respect the environment and keep the lake clean for the residents and visitors to enjoy. Please take your garbage with you.
Animal tracking
Fresh evidence of wildlife movement is everywhere, perhaps due to the mild weather and longer days.
One wolf and a pack of coyotes have been travelling the length of the lake. Two otters crossed the lake near Taylor’s Bay, running and sliding the whole way.
Moose, rabbit and grouse tracks are in every yard and several deer have been walking on Boultbee Road.
Private matters
Residents and visitors seem to need reminding that with the exception of public accesses, all residential areas around the lake are privately owned.
Frozen water and deep snow, which hides natural boundaries and provides easier access to private property, does not constitute an invitation to trespass. Those few residents, who generously allow neighbours to use their yards for access to Crown land and trails, cannot be expected to, and will not, tolerate abuse of their property or privileges granted. Please respect private property – posted or not.
Skis and sleds
Cross-country skiing on the lake’s frozen surface has been relatively challenging this year.
Deep and drifting snow and overflow slush are all obstacles that prevent achieving the rhythmic stride and glide that all skiers aspire to. Creating tracks in the snow can be a chore, but most skiers expect to reuse their tracks several times before they are lost to a fresh or drifted snow.
Often, their well-developed tracks are destroyed by snowmobilers who likely don’t realize the impact of their meandering steering over the ski tracks.
This year in particular, I must send out a thank-you to those snowmobilers who have braved the snow and slush on the lake and created frozen and hard-packed paths on the surface of the lake. Without these sled trails, Nordic skiing on most days this year would be next to impossible.
Easy route
I think readers will relate to the chuckle I get when I think about my recent visiting city friends trying out snowshoes for the first time around my property.
Where they insisted in walking in the untouched snow a few feet away from my well-tread zigzag paths and filling their ankle boots with knee-deep snow, a moose that browsed the property the same weekend avoided the deep snow by using my paths and even crossing the creeks on plank bridges.