Cultus Lake Community Association

New Controversial Cultus Lake Trees Arrive Planting to Start http://fraservalleynewsnetwork.com//new-controversial-cul/

43 of the replacement trees for Parking Lot B arrived today, they will be planted within the next two months. PhotoCredit: Kathie Vander Helm

For those who like to hike Teapot Hill please be aware that it sustained significant damage during the windstorm. If anyone has ventured up that way please share your experience.

PARKING LOT B UPDATE Parking Lot B reconfiguration work commences with surveying January 17, 2021 and construction will begin shortly after. Project duration is weather dependant and estimated at 5-7 weeks; the completion deadline is April 1. While the parking lot will be closed during construction, parking is available at Parking Lot A on Lakeshore Dr. and Main Beach will remain open. Background... In 2018 Registered Professional Forester Robin Clarke provided staff with a Park Planting Prescription. The document addresses key areas of the park and offers recommendations aimed at improving tree and forest health. Trees as well as their surroundings in Parking Lot B were assessed prior to finalizing the document and the forester made several recommendations. In short, it was noted that trees within the parking lot were dying from irreversible root damage and removal was necessary. In the Spring of 2020 an ISA arborist reviewed the trees with staff again and further confirmed their advanced state of deterioration and the requirement for removal. Tree Replacement As a result of the tree’s condition and subsequent removal, staff has an opportunity to reconfigure the parking lot in a manner that improves access and safe travel, optimizes the use of space and prioritizes tree health and root protection. The Park Board and staff are working with the Environmental and Public Areas Planning Committee to ensure that trees removed from the parking lot are replaced at a 2:1 ratio. In addition, the Board has approved a parking lot layout plan that sees 21 irrigated greenspaces with trees interspersed throughout the lot as well as increased tree screening surrounding the parking lot’s perimeter. For more information, please see our website or go to: https://www.cultuslake.bc.ca//2020.12.16-Cultus-Lake-Park-

A number of residents of Cultus Lake are upset that two members of park board leadership vacationed in Mexico before Christmas.

Traffic is stopped on the lake road as a car has hit a power pole and wires are down. Soowahlie Lands road is open to traffic, please be respectful.

Last nights wind storm ripped a section of the Main Beach dock off and the Boat Rental dock also detached. Numerous limbs and branches fell, but no trees of significance. Debris, rocks, and logs have washed up on the foreshore. The wind continues but at a much lower level.

Cultus Lake Park Needs Your Help Removing Ivy and Other Invasive Plants. Come join us in Removing these plants from Sunnyside Seasonal Campground. Saturday, February 13th & 27th at 1pm... Sunnyside Seasonal camping area. Please bring : Clippers and/or lopers, shovel or spade and gloves. No Experience needed. This is a COVID friendly Event as we will be well spread out. Families welcome. Ivy and other Invasive plants have a Negative Impact at Cultus Lake by eventually smothering our beautiful trees and other native plants. Birds eat their seeds spreading these plants to other forest areas.

Interview with CAO Joe Lamb.

Caution Main Beach Docks Closed Until Further Notice Due to strong forced winds overnight, damage has been caused to the Main Beach dock structures. Docks are closed until further notice.

WEATHER: There's a chance of flurries in the forecast for tonight and Sunday, then sunny but cold weather is expected for all of next week.

Parking Lot B Each month the Association asks a question at the board meeting, this month we asked about Parking Lot B. Question of the Month December 2020... How much money did the Park receive in regards to the sale of logs/trees removed from Parking Lot B? When is work scheduled to begin on Parking Lot B? Answer: The anticipated timber revenue is estimated to be $4500, the cost for tree removal was $5200. The project in currently in the RFP (Request for Proposal) stage and is anticipated to begin in February 2021 with completion in April 2021. Once completed there will be 360 stalls an increase from the current 295 stalls. The plan includes a minimum of 66 trees. The budget for this project is $580,000.

The Cultus Lake Board meeting can be attended via Zoom tomorrow at 5 pm. These meetings are open to the public.

Cultus Lake making the news again !

As part of the housing needs assessment currently being undertaken by the FVRD in partnership with our consultant, CitySpaces, we are in the process of completing public engagement to learn from the community about their housing needs and gaps. Information about the project and the survey link is available from the [Housing Needs Assessment project page](https://www.fvrd.ca//projects-pl/housing-needs-report.html) on the FVRD website. A key part of this engagement is the FVR...D’s [Housing Needs Survey](https://www.surveymonkey.ca/r/CJBM6BG), which is now live. Please take a few minutes to complete the survey to help us understand the needs and gaps in housing in Area H. Thank you.

Cultus Lake Park has increased the bouy fee to $500/year. The following message is from Laker Neil McKenzie: If you are concerned about the massive increase in buoy fees, please email [email protected] to discuss meeting to generate solutions. ... This year the rental fees on buoys has increased 100 times greater than allowed rental increases. (In 2020 the allowed increase was 2.6%.) We are now expected to pay 3.3 times what we paid in 2020 to be able to use the same buoy in 2021. Thanks, Neil McKenzie

For anyone missing the lake.

Hi everyone, A couple updates: We are excited to announce ceramics will be back! Prism studio will be doing 8 weeks of ceramics from 2pm-3pm on Thursdays start...ing October 8th. This will be for grades 3-5. There will be extremely limited spots so it will be first come first serve. Registration forms can be found at the office. Unfortunately there will be no adult programming this fall. Adult programs will be starting in the new year at the earliest.

On this gloomy, dreary day....we can all use some dancing squirrels. Turn up your sound and enjoy.

Fall sure knows how to make an entrance. Stay safe and dry everyone.

Announcement from Taryn Dixon Area H Rep Area H Zoom Meeting I have set up an Area H Zoom TownHall Meeting to provide residents with an opportunity to connect with a few of us. MP Mark Strahl , MLA Laurie Throness , Chief Brenda Wallace and members from CLPB will also be joining me. We are limited to 100 people so it is possible not everyone will be able to join the meeting. If you live in a strata and have things you’d like to share, please connect with your president/chair ...and make sure they know your thoughts and ideas. Below you will find the information for those wishing to join the Area H Zoom meeting. No password is required. It is a loose agenda- Introductions, What is working, concerns, ideas/suggestion and next steps. Those wishing to speak will only have a few minutes but can also email their thoughts to me at [email protected] . The meeting will end at 8:00pm. This is a new way to meet but I am looking forward to hearing from our Area H residents. Taryn Topic: Electoral Area H Town Hall Meeting Time: Sep 22, 2020 07:00 PM Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/8708701785 Meeting ID: 870 870 1785 Dial by your location +1 647 374 4685 Canada +1 647 558 0588 Canada +1 778 907 2071 Canada +1 204 272 7920 Canada +1 438 809 7799 Canada +1 587 328 1099 Canada Meeting ID: 870 870 1785 Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kbZPxFoE40

Earlier today two youths both wearing dark hoodies and riding BMX bikes started a fire with gas in the forest behind the school. The fire was quickly extinguished by the fire department. If you have any information please contact the RCMP or if you have additional information feel free to share in comments. Photo Credit: Cultus Lake Beware

Beautiful smoky sunset captured by laker Rosemary Gale.

A diver at Cultus Lake found a go-pro while diving and is looking for the owner.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR BOATERS WHO CURRENTLY HAVE REGISTERED BOUYS IN CULTUS LAKE PARK. The agenda package which is currently posted on the Parks website for the Wednesday September 16 board meeting has the following proposals: 1. Annual moorage fees increase from $150 to $500/year... 2. Swim lines be installed between more docks along First Avenue 3. Buoys currently moored between the docks will have to be relocated to deeper water at the boaters expense. 4. All relocated buoys must be moved by the long weekend in May 2021. The proposal is attached. The Community Association has sent a letter requesting additional time for consultation with stakeholders.

The following is a message from Area H Rep Taryn Dixon Save the Date- Area H Town Hall Zoom Meeting Tues. Sept. 22nd 7:00pm-8:00 pm... I am setting up an Area H Zoom meeting with MP Mark Strahl and MLA Laurie Throness. It will be an opportunity for us to hear what is working, what concerns you may have and what solutions or ideas you may have. We will also try to answer questions. We are limited to 100 people total so if there are many people wishing to join we may not be able to accommodate everyone but right now, this is the best we can do. If you want to make sure your thoughts are heard please send them to your strata or rate payers president, Cultus Lake Community Association or email them directly to me. [email protected] I will post the official zoom meeting details closer to the date. Thanks all. I am looking forward to hearing from you.

Does anyone have information or footage, the RCMP need your help.

Hi All Many of you have reported the accident off of Vedder Bridge. Traffic is being diverted through Yarrow and that road is open. I have heard from Chief Wallace . Their main gate is open for those who are needing to go through their land . If you choose to do that, please drive slowly and respectfully. If you have the time to go through Yarrow, that works too. Drive safely everyone.... Taryn Dixon

Yesterday was International Overdose Awareness Day, there is a new App available for those using alone or in a group. Please share this, the life you save may be someone near and dear to you.

Cultus Lake Water Levels Cultus Lake Park staff will be dismantling the weir located on Sweltzer Creek in keeping with the Conditional Water Licence issued by the Province of British Columbia. Cultus Lake Park staff will ensure that the boards are removed over a period of time to avoid an abrupt drop in the lake levels and increase in lake velocity.... ( Source: Cultus Lake Park Administration)

When visiting the lake please ensure you are following physical distancing rules, washing your hands and being respectful to those around you.

This majestic eagle was caught enjoying the lake yesterday. Photos by Rosemary Gale