2293days since
The infamous planning 'charrette' on Echo Heights Forest by North Cowichan which brought the community together into the CRA

Community Bulletin Board

Volunteer! – Would you like to help out in CRA fundraising or membership drives? Help arrange special events? Get involved! Contact us.
Hot Tips
From E.J. - Those old creasote ties along the E&N should be disposed of properly. There is a big pile just above Askew Creek.
From Mary - People are already starting to dump their yard waste in ditches and along the railway line. This just spreads invasive species. We have free yard waste dumping at Peerless Road. Use it!
From Rodney - The old MacMillan haul road is getting to be a pig sty. Why do people throw their garbage there? It pollutes Mill Creek and looks ugly.
From T.R.J. - Askew Park is called a "wilderness park". Why doesn't someone (the muni, CRA, Communities in Bloom) take care of the invasive plants like the daphne, blackberry, holly, ivy and other stuff?
From F.R. - I see the Victoria Police are cracking down on loud motorcycles and cars. Can North Cowichan RCMP start doing the same thing? Chemainus and Victoria Roads need policing for noise and speed.
From Don - Communities in Bloom do hard work at the roundabout, but why plant all those annuals and exotics that need watering. We have some great native plants in our yard that are beautiful, perennial and NEVER need watering.

The water debate – What's your opinion? chemainiac@shaw.ca

We need water from the aquifer
SOONER RATHER THAN LATER
On the first significant rainfall of the year residents of Chemainus are once again required to boil water! This suggests a need to proceed with pumping water from the Chemainus Aquifer sooner versus setting the project aside until the study is completed.
    Yes there is a need for a comprehensive watershed management plan, but how long can residents wait for a source of reliable clean water?
    The fact is that the many aquifers, streams and lakes  traditionally fed by rain and melting snow packs were significantly altered by previous and continuing logging practices. Even if all activities were halted immediately it would take 100 years for the forest the become well enough established to stabilize the soils, road cuts and water retention requirements to meet the proposed needs of a healthy watershed.
    A recent climate change seminar, which I attended, suggested that we can expect a return to more coastal rain forest conditions as the climate changes. This in turn would mean more rain events requiring additional boil water advisories.
    Saving more water in additional reservoirs may provide sufficient water supply however does not guarantee any quality of supply.
    So it becomes apparent that not only do we need a water management plan, but a realistic strategy as well. Both storage and pumping will likely be required to supply the residents of Chemainus, as well as the Halalt nation's current and future needs.
from E.M.
We do not need water from the aquifer
SHORT-TERM THINKING
Remember the 'great' drought of 2003? Afterward, the municipal council lowered the minimum base for water use talked about conservation and even metering.
    But it turned out that the drought was caused by human error that drained the reservoir. Conservation was forgotten about. The aquifer was seen as an easy and cheap solution.
    Most coastal BC tons and cities get their water from surface reservoirs. They invest in infrastructure – including filtration and treatment plants. North Cowichan seems like it wants to keep on with growing development of Chemainus on the backs of the aquifer.
    This could end up being a very serious situation in the next decade.
from F.C.