Evacuation Notification Exercise Planned for Bouchie Lake Area

Courtesy of the Cariboo Regional District:

The Cariboo Regional District (CRD), in partnership with Quesnel Cariboo Search and Rescue and the RCMP, will conduct a mock evacuation notification exercise in the Bouchie Lake area on Saturday, June 13, 2026, between 9:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m.

The exercise will take place on Heaton Road and Blacklock Road and is designed to test emergency notification procedures, strengthen coordination between response agencies, and help ensure preparedness in the event of a real emergency.

Residents in the area may notice an increased presence of emergency vehicles and personnel during the exercise. There is no danger to the public, and no action is required by residents unless they choose to participate in the training exercise.

As part of the exercise, a limited number of residences may receive a mock evacuation notification and information package. Personnel participating in the exercise will be clearly identified and will not be requesting or collecting any personal information.

The CRD appreciates the cooperation and understanding of area residents as emergency responders and partner agencies work together to enhance emergency preparedness and response capabilities throughout the region.

For more information, please contact CRD Emergency Program Services at 250-855-8924

Bouchie Lake residents to have their say on sewer system study

Courtesy of the Cariboo Regional District:

The Cariboo Regional District is hosting a public meeting on April 30 between 4:00 p.m. and 7p.m. with Bouchie Lake residents about a proposed concept for a community sewer system. A survey and backgrounder have been distributed to residents of the proposed service area to enable the regional district to work directly with affected residents to better understand their concerns and aspirations concerning the health of the lake.

A study conducted by the B.C. Ministry of Environment in 2009 showed high levels of nitrogen and phosphate enter Bouchie and Milburn Lakes from areas in the watershed, which contribute to large algae blooms during the summer months. These algae blooms present health, safety and environmental hazards for humans, animals and have periodically caused fish kills. The largest sources of nutrient loading come from agricultural uses of lands in the watershed and sewage disposal systems for lakeshore properties which are in various stages of repair.

“We need to hear from residents around Bouchie Lake about their interest in having a system installed. I am deeply concerned about the current state of Bouchie Lake and its watershed, and am hoping residents of the area will come forward to share any concerns they may have and discuss this proposed solution further. The sewer system idea has been thrown around at various tables over the years, and we are seeking a more definitive answer through this process.” – Barb Bachmeier, Electoral Area “B” Director 

A community sewer system would provide one workable option to reduce the amount of nutrient inflow into Bouchie Lake from nearby residential properties. If residents provide initial approval of the concept, the Cariboo Regional District would complete a feasibility study to identify what that system would look like and how much it will cost. A feasibility study would also identify the area that any taxation for a service would apply to if a service establishment bylaw is approved through a referendum. Other actions would also need to be taken before a community sewer system could be built, including:

• Official Community Plan amendments to add a sewer system plan and land use policies;
• Engineering designs and drawings for a collection and treatment system;
• Consultation with First Nations and relevant provincial agencies;
• Confirm financing, including any  local area taxation, borrowing, and grant funds; and
• Hold a referendum to seek approval for the service being established.

Cariboo RD representatives will be present to speak with residents about this system as one option for improving the health of the Bouchie Lake watershed. Residents can attend the Bouchie Lake Community Hall on April 30 from 4pm to 7pm to speak about what they would like to see, their preferences, and address any questions they may have. Anyone with questions or concerns about the proposal is encouraged to attend to meet with the public engagement team.

Residents inside the proposed service area are asked to complete the public input survey. A link to the survey was provided in a letter mailed to each property owner within the conceptual service area, and paper copies will be available at the public information meeting. The Cariboo Regional District will not be distributing the survey or soliciting responses from anyone who lives outside of the conceptual service area as the taxation impacts of any new system would be directly onto property owners and residents in that area only.

April 30th Open House Scheduled for Bouchie and Milburn Lakes Area

Courtesy of the Cariboo Regional District:

An open house will be held on April 30th, 2022 for residents and stakeholders in the Bouchie and Milburn Lakes area (Cariboo Regional District Area B) at the Bouchie Lake Community Hall from 10 a.m. -3 p.m. This is an opportunity to review, ask questions and provide comments on the Bouchie-Milburn Neighbourhood Plan which is almost complete.

The Bouchie-Milburn Neighbourhood Plan (BMNP) was developed with extensive input and feedback from the community. By actively engaging with a wide cross-section of Bouchie-Milburn residents, property owners and stakeholders; the BMNP Steering Committee identified the community’s priorities, concerns, and long-term vision for their area.

“It will be great to have an opportunity to engage face-to-face with the community again at the open house on Saturday, April 30th. It is important that a neighbourhood plan is developed by residents who provide input on priorities, concerns, and opportunities for the future”, said Cariboo RD Area "B" Director Barb Bachmeier

This is an opportunity to learn what was identified as priority objectives for the neighbourhood regarding transportation, community amenities, housing, land use, recreation, telecommunications and more.  Come find out about population projections, what services and amenities were identified as top priorities, how much housing supply can be expected in future years, how water quality and the natural environment can be protected, what active transportation routes can improve safety and access to key community destinations, and why the community wants agricultural land uses to be protected.

Come meet Area B CRD Director Barbara Bachmeier and Nigel Whitehead, CRD Manager of Planning Services who are happy to listen to your questions, input and provide any answers during the open house. For those that can not make the open house event, the plan and survey is available online: cariboord.ca/bmnp.

New Improvements to Rink at Bouchie Lake Celebrated!

Courtesy of the Cariboo Regional District:

The Chair of the Cariboo Regional District, Margo Wagner as well as Director of Area B, Barb Bachmeier and past Chair of the Bouchie Lake Recreation Commission, Stephanie Hanes along with a few members of the Bouchie Lake Volunteer Fire Fighters were on hand Saturday, February 19th, 2022, at the Bouchie Lake rink to officially kick-off the renewed ice rink. The ribbon was cut, and the community celebrated this refreshed recreational asset.

Chair Margo Wagner said, “These improvements were realized with the help of dedicated community volunteers and the financial support of $30,000 from the Northern Development Initiative Trust’s ‘Community Places’ grant and $35,000 contributing funds from the North Cariboo Sub-Regional Recreation Capital Plan. Once the project is completed, this rural community will have a safe, accessible and easy-to-maintain facility with recreation opportunities for all ages”.

Director Bachmeier said, “I would also like to thank the current and past Commissioners of the Bouchie Lake Recreation Commission that made this project a reality along with the Bouchie Lake Volunteer Fire Fighters who are currently looking for new recruits. I encourage people to make a small donation and enjoy the hotdogs and hot chocolate from the ‘Helping Hands Food Program for Seniors’, the coffee donated from Granville Coffee and the cake which was anonymously donated.” The ‘Family Fun’ group was also on hand collecting bottles and donations for the Terry Fox Research program.

Past Chair Stephanie Hanes said, “This outdoor rink is a prized asset to our community and well-used. We are pleased on how it turned out and we hope that the community is also”.

The Bouchie Lake rink was created over two decades ago primarily with the help from the Bouchie Lake Volunteer Fire Fighters. In 2021, based on year-round demand from a variety of user groups, the Bouchie Lake Recreation Commission decided the rink needed some upgrades. People of all ages participate regularly in ice skating, hockey, basketball and pickleball. Some improvements like lighting had already been done but there was an immediate need to weatherproof, rebuild and construct new areas of the rink to improve access and year-round safety. Most of the work was completed by the ribbon-cutting ceremony with a bit of concrete work left to be done in the warmer months.