CASTLEGAR FRIENDS OF PARKS & TRAILS
GENERAL MEETING MINUTES
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2006
A general meeting was held at 7:15 pm in the CPR Railway Museum. There were 10 people in attendance.
1. Additions to the Agenda
It was agreed that meetings start at 7:00, not 7:30. The newsletter should be changed to reflect this.
Correspondence
Ministry of Forests – in reply to our letter informing them where our trails are located, they have agreed with the 5 metre machine-free zone around our trails.
Al Frauley Donation – After Al’s death in a car accident, his mom asked that donations be made in his name to Castlegar Friends of Parks & Trails. We will send taxation receipts to the donors.
3. Minutes of the Meeting of April 18, 2006
Moved (Ken Brownlie)/seconded (Rick)/carried, that minutes be accepted. It was mentioned that minutes be emailed to members.
4. No Treasurer’s Report
5. Business Arising
Meetings with Brilliant Expansion Consortium – we have had meetings re Skattebo Reach Trail. Columbia Power Corporation will put $25,000 into the next budget year. Peter Wood is pleased with the rerouting; they suggested linking the trailhead under the Brilliant Bridge to the Park & Ride.
Insurance – It has been paid by Selkirk College, once again, for 2006/2007.
Bear Proof Can – John received a call from Gordon Zaitsoff; he called Emcon and they have one for us to be placed on Waldie Island.
Newsletter Opening – Elaine would like to retire so we are looking for someone to take over.
6. Committee Reports
Trans Canada Trail – John mentioned about the big washout (approx. 100 metres wide) near Lafferty. Margo Saunders said that the Christina Lake group is maintaining the trail as far as Ferron.
Trail Use – Gordon reported positive feedback on the comment sheets collected.
Trail Maintenance – Peter is in Australia, but Rick Johnson said there are 3 dead trees near the observation tower on Waldie Island; he will remove them. Gordon mentioned that there are some problem trees near the Dove Hill and Terminal Station parking lots that should be taken down, as well as some windfalls near Big McPhee Creek that needed attention. Gordon and Ken will look at clearing these.
Newsletter – the Fall 2006 newsletter has been distributed.
Membership – Rick reported 7 renewals/new members; tax receipts will be sent out.
Waldie Island and Website - $800 was received from the City of Castlegar and $150 from Communities in Bloom towards maintenance.
7. New Business
Trail Plans – John asked for suggestions for present or new trails. There are plans to work on Brilliant Overlook, Skattebo Reach and the Doukhobor Waterline trails.
Katimavik – this is a group of workers (ages 18-21) from all over Canada. John sent in an application and has heard, informally, that we have been approved for trail maintenance. This would include work on the new trail under the Brilliant Bridge. Next year, we will be hiring a person to work on the trails.
Fall Fair – People are needed to work 2 hour shifts in our tent. We will not do a rivers walk this year as John will be out of town.
Ward’s Ferry – This trail goes from north Glade to Rover Creek access road. The Nelson Area Trails Society was having trouble keeping it up and Cominco requested that it be insured as it passes over their land. Castlegar Friends of Parks & Trails has taken over the care and insurance responsibility for now.
Rerouting of Skattebo Trail – Peter is pleased with the work done by Skanska-Chant and sent a letter of thanks to Kimberley Wright, the Environmental Superintendent.
8. Other Business
Lawrence Redfern reported that there will be an article in the newspaper about a proposed 30 bed fixed-roof lodge in the parking lot area of Nancy Greene Lake Park.
Moved (Margo Saunders)/seconded (Joan McDonald)/carried, that we write a letter to the Minister of Environment (copies to Katrina Conroy and other appropriate people), that Castlegar Friends of Parks & Trails, through John Mansbridge, is asking for a public hearing on the proposed fixed-roof lodge at Nancy Greene Lake.
Moved (Lawrence Redfern)/seconded Rick Johnson/carried, that after the media publishes the article, we respond with a letter to the editor.
9. Meeting adjourned at 8 pm. It was followed by a very interesting presentation by Rob MacRae on the Walkerton water crisis and other drinking water concerns.