Residents Committee on Water for regions in the RDN and CVRD between Nanaimo and Ladysmith.

With permission received from Diane Coussens, member of the Residents Committee on Water, the Summary of the second Public Meeting to Discuss Local Water Supply as recorded and held at the Cedar Heritage Centre, in Cedar, BC on April 19th, 2011 follows:

The second meeting saw a dozen residents meet and engage in discussion about local issues relevant to water and the communities of the Regional District of Nanaimo and the Cowichan Valley Regional District between Nanaimo & Ladysmith.

Two major discussions took place:

Proposed Cell Tower:

A guest presentation was heard from a local group of residents concerned about a proposed cell tower by Telus. Concerns were heard about the location, potential health effects and adverse wildlife consequences.

The cell tower is proposed to be located immediately adjacent to the proposed 'Kirkstone Place' planned neighbourhood - recognized in the Area A Official Community Plan as being a prime example of sustainable development and LEED certification. It is expected, as in other places where real estate values are adversely affected, that this 'unnecessary' cell tower will have similar effects.

April 22nd is the deadline for submissions to Telus. An information sheet is available, and the local contacts for additional information are Rhys Lewis rlewisgmail.com, and Sandy Tobin sandan93telus.net; 722-2300 and Helena Lines helenalinesyahoo.ca.

Water Issues & Residents Committee on Water (RCW):

A review of water issues took place, including an update and review of communications received over the past month. Files and background are available on request, particular to:
- RDN reply, inviting RCW funding proposal, March 21/11
- North Cedar Improvement District reply, invitation to review maps/reports, development moratorium, April 19/11
- Area A OCP Public Hearing, Cassidy residents voice opposition to development over aquifer, March 23/11
- Dodds property, NCID interest in purchasing Cedar property for well development (opp. Friesens, 10 acres).

Additional items were noted, but insufficient time did not permit them to be fully discussed:

- VI Water Watch Coalition, meeting April 9/11
- & 3D Nanaimo River watershed model available for display/education.
- Nanaimo-Cedar Farmer's Institute mtg - speaker, BC Waters representative, Ap 14'11
- Mid-VI Rotary Meeting on Water, April 4th ...& 3-Year Project Internationally

Summary:
The lack of information and reports regarding the Yellow Point aquifer, Cassidy aquifers and groundwater exchanges were again noted as requiring priority attention. Riparian area protection, including the Yellow Point Bog and wetlands, were noted as significant as they offer potential recharge to the aquifers, wells and local water supply.

The Regional District of Nanaimo position, opposing a development moratorium until a serious understanding of water quantity and quality issues were known (as voiced in Official Community Plan meetings) was seen to be in contradiction with the local authority, as expressed by the NCID (North Cedar Improvement District) ..."Currently the District has a water supply and storage issue, until these items have been resolved there is no new development and or new water connection applications getting approved for water."

MISSI* will follow up with this concern, and approach NCID for further information.

Development interests in the area were seen to be largely at odds with the limited water supply; and numerous examples were expressed about wells going dry and lowered water tables which have followed large developments and subdivision of rural lands. Negative consequences to established residents were seen to be largely ignored by the RDN/CVRD, with new development proposals being favoured inappropriately.

Upcoming local public meetings, and forums that might offer opportunity to raise water issues:
- RDN Regional Growth Strategy, public meetings, spring-summer 2011.
- RDN public meetings re Accord with Airport; with implications for the Nanaimo River/Cassidy Aquifers.
- Nanaimo River & Watershed initiative of NALT, BC Rivers Day, Sept 25th.

Residents Committee on Water - Follow-up & Initiatives:

The Residents Committee on Water will remain flexible in it's structure, dependent on local volunteer efforts and oriented on mid-island regional water issues of the RDN/CVRD between Nanaimo & Ladysmith.

Two individuals were identified for the 'RCW Steering Committee' as interim contacts

- David Brown & Laurie Gourlay (see below).

Several specific initiatives were agreed to:
- contact with the BC Government, Ms Gillian Kelley (Diane Coussens)
- contact with the RDN Re: a well monitoring and database project, with a meeting to identify where water is expected to be found for development projects. (Mayta Ryn)
- contact with NCID, to review local water reports/maps (Laurie Gourlay)
- contact with CVRD Area H Director Mary Marcotte Re: 'water & watershed protection'
- Community Mapping, summer project to map water & other community places of interest (LG/MISSI*)
- MISSI* will serve as interim host, sponsoring the public meetings until the summer (June).

Next RCW meetings: Tues. May 17th; & Tues. June 21st, at the Cedar Heritage Centre.

The public are welcome to attend all Residents Committee meetings, and invited to contribute information that they may have on water issues and concerns in the area. MISSI will post local reports on water, along with minutes and summaries of RCW meetings on its website.

Notes of L. Gourlay, April 21/11


Interim RCW contact: Laurie Gourlay, (250 722-3444)
President, MISSI, www.missimidisland.com, infomissimidisland.com

*Mid Island Sustainability & Stewardship Initiative
P.O. Box 333, Cedar, B.C., V9X 1W1 www.missimidisland.com infomissimidisland.com

Editors Note: For more information please contact Laurie Gourlay as noted above.