PRESIDENT’S REPORT
While you didn’t hear from your Board over the summer, that didn’t mean we weren’t busy.
For those of you with email, we were able through the good offices of our Vice President, Jane Drapeau. to get out some key notices and we will continue that practice.
We just couldn’t tell you as much as we would like to because we don’t have a webmaster. Our Board members have skills and abilities but website updating isn’t one of them! So this is a plea, a call, a request, an invitation to a member to volunteer as APOA’s webmaster. Phenomenal job satisfaction will be your reward! Just let any Board member know of your interest. And that way you’ll help your organization help you and the rest of us too!
In the meantime, the articles in this issue will provide you summaries of what’s been happening or what’s emerging.
Please note our new postal address above.
Here’s to a good snow season!
Denis O’Gorman
President
SEASON OPENING SOCIAL
6:00 PM Saturday, December 19
Tempest Room at Apex Inn
Apex Mountain Resort
$20 ticket includes 2 x 3oz. wine pours
and 6 different appies/canapés.
Tickets are limited and must be reserved by Dec. 14
Reservations: Call Apex Mtn. Inn and Spa
250.292.8126
WATER RATE APPLICATION
The water rate increase application by the Resort, as the water utility, is before the Water Comptroller. APOA presented questions on various aspects of the rate request. On water stewardship, we asked if autumn water drawdowns on Nickel Plate Lake ( a reservoir) could be reduced. Domestic and snowmaking uses result in only 4 inches of total annual drawdown. An update on the decision will be provided by email notice once it it received.
MT. RIORDAN MINING PROPOSAL
APOA members are advised there is renewed interest in a potential garnet mine on Mt. Riordan. The interest is on claims known as Shamrock and Billy Goat between elevations of 1900 and 2100 metres. These claims are located roughly .75 km north of Apex’s Winchester run and .75 km west of The Circle.
The emerging proposal by Crystal Peaks Abrasives Partnership Ltd. (CPAPL) is of special interest to APOA members given concerns with the 1990’s proposal when the claims were included in the former Apex Recreation Area. Bob Hall, a principal of CPAPL, advised that a partnership agreement with the Penticton Indian Band (PIB) has been signed and that PIB Chief Jonathan Kruger announced it at a recent economic summit.
CPAPL’s “Notice of Work” (October 2009) for exploration activity calls for 7 new drill holes and collection of 6000 metric tonnes of material from 3 existing “prospect sites”. While that notice extends to October 2010, Mr. Hall advises that they are aiming at 6 to 8 months to advance their proposal through the regulatory process. He notes the plan is to move ore for processing at a site on PIB lands.
APOA’s Board is arranging to meet with Mr. Hall and their local consultant Adam Eneas. We will be seeking more details on the proposal, its timing and provisions for informing the public. Mr. Hall wishes to open a comprehensive consultation with APOA and notes that the Ministry of Energy and Mines will also outline consultation requirements.
APOA will be contacting the Ministry to obtain an understanding of Government’s review process and how the public can be informed and participate. We will be providing APOA members an update after our meeting with CPAPL.
The challenge for APOA will be to represent property owners interests in the assessment process while recognizing that BC’s Mining Act conveys considerable rights to develop claims that have proven potential and are judged to be manageable and acceptable under environmental laws.
WILDFIRE PROTECTION BEGINS
The 2003 fire season made all of us familiar with the concept of urban interface fire hazard. More recently, funding has become available to local governments- firstly for developing plans and then for field operations to reduce this hazard.
At APOA’s last AGM, RDOS forestry consultant John Davies outlined hazard reduction principles. Over the summer he updated the Board on his emerging first phase plan. It focuses on reducing forest fuels in a 30-50 metre band around the northern fringe of Apex. It extends from west and north of the Circle eastward behind Bighorn, the Scout Cabin, Whitetail and Cahill.
No field action could occur until funding was secured. In late October, RDOS was advised that their application for fuel reduction around Apex and other communities was approved.
On November 9 John Davies commenced putting crews in place to start thinning, limbing, piling and burning in the Phase 1 area.
In Phase 2, the treatment area will be increased to be between 70 and 100 meters from private property lines. Between these two phases, John expects to be on the Apex site throughout the winter..
The following phase will focus on an area east of Strayhorse and the Resort Village plus Chute’s End.
John will also be recommending to the Forest Service that treatments occur south of the ski runs (Dividend area) and the lower slopes of Green Mountain.
He emphasises that while fuel breaks will help, full success depends on property owners implementing Fire Smart guidelines.
Owners with concerns or questions can reach John at john@valhallaconsulting.ca
Or 250.540 3473