A second online public engagement session will soon be underway as part of the Columbia Lake Management Plan process.

“We have compiled the input provided by the public earlier this spring and have used that in conjunction with ongoing discussions with other partners and government organizations to help inform some draft management options,” explains RDEK Planner Kris Belanger. “The options are detailed in the survey tool and we are urging residents and property owners of the plan area to review them and provide feedback.”

The draft management options and survey are posted on engage.rdek.bc.ca/columbialake and will be open from August 24^th to September 7^th.

For those without access to a computer or who would like to provide input in more traditional ways, Belanger can be contacted at the RDEK office at 250-489-0903. “We don’t want technology to be a barrier for people. I am available by phone and we can arrange to send hard copies of information to those who do not have access to a computer or smart phone. Everyone’s voice matters,” stresses Belanger.

A summary of the survey responses from the first engagement session earlier this spring is posted on the project page at engage.rdek.bc.ca/columbialake as is all other project-related information.

“I can’t stress enough how valuable the public participation is in this planning process and I’m really encouraging people to review the new information, ask questions, and provide their input,” adds Belanger. While the public engagement continues to be run largely online at this time, as guidance around public meetings during COVID-19 evolves, the RDEK will continue to look for opportunities to engage with people in-person as conditions allow.

The Plan, which will replace the existing 1997 Columbia Lake Management Strategy, will guide local government decisions affecting Columbia Lake and is being led by the RDEK in partnership with the Village of Canal Flats.

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As people continue to strive to stay safe and stay apart, an online engagement process has been launched for the Columbia Lake Management Plan process to gather feedback and provide a way for residents to be fully involved in the process.

“There are several ways people can provide their initial comments and thoughts,” explains RDEK Planner Kris Belanger. “The survey tool is aimed at getting a general sense for people’s thoughts and priorities, the ideas board gives people a chance to share what makes Columbia Lake great, and the places tool is a great way for people to mark special spaces around the lake on a map.”

The online engagement tools are posted on engage.rdek.bc.ca/columbialake and will be open until June 1^st.

For those without access to a computer or who would like to provide input in more traditional ways, Belanger can be contacted at 250-432-9693. “Community engagement is a key part of any successful planning project and we are really hoping to see good participation in this first step of the planning process,” adds Belanger.

This is the first step in the public engagement for the project, which is expected to take up to a year to complete. As guidance around public meetings during COVID-19 evolves, the RDEK will continue to look for opportunities to engage with people in-person or via technology as conditions allow.

The Plan, which will replace the existing 1997 Columbia Lake Management Strategy, will guide local government decisions affecting Columbia Lake and its shoreline and is being led by the RDEK in partnership with the Village of Canal Flats.

Work is set to begin on the new Columbia Lake Management Plan process.

The plan, which will replace the existing 1997 Columbia Lake Management Strategy, will guide local government decisions affecting Columbia Lake and its shoreline. “Columbia Lake is home to many significant ecological, cultural and recreational values and this planning process will provide us with tools to help ensure local government decisions continue to protect those values into the future,” says RDEK Electoral Area F Director Susan Clovechok.

The project is being led by the RDEK in partnership with the Village of Canal Flats. Since Columbia Lake is within both RDEK Electoral Area F and the Village of Canal Flats, the collaborative development of a Lake Management Plan that reflects a united vision for the future of the lake while recognizing the interests of both local governments is key. Canal Flats Mayor Karl Sterzer says working cooperatively on this project makes sense. “Canal Flats is committed to having a strong voice at the table as we recognize decisions made in and around our community strongly affect our constituents and future possibilities of growth and wellness,” says Sterzer. “Working together throughout the planning process will ensure we have strong communication and coordination and a collective voice. Additionally, having a multi-jurisdictional plan will allow us to have consistency in our decision making, which is critical.”

Public input will be key in the planning process and there will be several public engagement opportunities over the coming months. “Recognizing the diverse and seasonal population of the Columbia Lake area, public engagement opportunities will be provided in person, when it is safe to do so, and on line,” says Sterzer. A technical committee made up of representatives from Provincial, Federal and First Nation governments will help inform the creation of the plan.

“Community involvement is key to a successful planning project. I encourage everyone in the Columbia Lake area to participate in the public engagement opportunities so that this plan reflects the community’s visions and values,” emphasizes Clovechok.

A new project page has been set up on engage.rdek.bc.ca/columbialake.

The planning process is expected to take eight to 12 months to complete.

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