Welcome to 2025 with the Friends of Kootenay Lake Greetings

Greetings!,

Welcome to 2025 with the Friends of Kootenay Lake,

Last month we welcomed onto the Board no fewer that four new members. Now is a good time to introduce you more fully to David Reid, who will be leading us into 2025 as our new chairman. We also want to let you know about Greg Utzig, a long-serving Board member who has recently been appointed as a Canadian public representative on the International Kootenay Lake Board of Control (IKLBC),

We have lots of news to share this month, including updates on our developing program with opportunities for you to participate and donate.

Let's dive in!

FOLKSS's new Chair

David Reid's involvement with Friends of Kootenay Lake began when the groundwork was laid in 2012. He was on the Board of Directors until 2020, and was re-elected in October 2024. He has now stepped into the role of chairman.

David believes that people need to connect with the places where they live to have a truly healthy and sustainable community. By asking how we can support, sustain, and steward the lake and its ecosystems, we are asking how we can support and sustain ourselves and each other.

David's favourite FOKLSS program is the Kootenay Lake Summit as it brings together people willing and interested to learn so that we can talk together about our vision for how to protect Kootenay Lake for future generations.

"The Lake is such a big part of our lives here, whether we use it for drinking water, recreation, commerce or transportation. It provides a unique and powerful opportunity to bring us together to work toward a common ideal of a place that can sustain and heal us and our children for generations to come."

International Kootenay Lake Board of Control (IKLBC)

We are very happy to announce that Greg Utzig, one of our longstanding founding FOKLSS members, has been appointed as a Canadian public representative on the IKLBC, established under the jurisdiction of the International Joint Commission.

This is an important appointment for us as the IKLBC enforces the Order that specifies the seasonal levels of Kootenay Lake. The IKLBC has initiated a Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment looking at the potential impacts of climate change on lake levels and we anticipate reviewing the results when they are available. The IKLBC is also considering undertaking a review of the Order itself. We look forward to participating in that process if and when public input opportunities are made available. The IKLBC meets annually, in-person in the region, alternating between Bonners Ferry and Nelson and these meetings are open to the public. This year the meeting will be in Nelson in early May. Further information is available at the IKLBC.

You can learn more here: International Kootenay Lake Board of Control International Joint Commission

Recent Activities

Polar Bear Swim

Our annual New Year's Day fundraiser was enjoyed by hundreds of brave participants. The weather was great. The crowd was enormous, and spirits were high.

We served over 80 cups of coffee, thanks to Oso Negro, and over 120 cups of hot chocolate with the help of the Kootenay Co-op Grocery store. Plus, more than 70 people enjoyed warm chilli, thanks to our supers-star volunteer cook Brigitte and Save On Foods, who donated the ingredients. There was a DJ tent, plus the support of Nelson Search and Rescue, and of course, the Polar Bear himself.

Kootenay Co-op Radio and FOKLSS depend on the funds raised to support our programming. Sadly, donations were lower this year than previously. Can you help us out?

If you didn't get a chance to make a donation at the event, Please act now, click on this link

Harrop Wetland

Since restoration work at the Harrop Wetlands a few years ago, some of our dedicated volunteers have been monitoring the area. They have identified some new challenges. One of the most pressing issues is the ongoing spread of the invasive Reed Canary Grass (Phalaris arundinacea).

To address this early-emerging wetland weed, one effective and sustainable method is to block sunlight. This involves covering the affected ground with layers of cardboard, which prevents the grass from growing. To prepare, we’ll be hosting a cardboard prepping event to remove tape, staples, glue, and other materials from donated boxes, making them ready for use this spring.

Keep an eye on our Facebook page for the event date - to be announced for sometime in February! Following this, we’ll organize a field day to lay the cardboard and remove grass from areas around the water’s edge where cardboard can’t be used.

Beach Clean Ups

We are gearing up to host more beach cleanups around Kootenay Lake!

In partnership with Living Lakes Canada and their Cottonwood Creek Enhancement Project, we’re planning at least two cleanups along Cottonwood Creek, between the recycling depot and the lake, during the summer of 2025.

We’ve also heard about styrofoam debris washing up in Nasookin Bay, so we exploring the possibility of a cleanup in that area as well.

Spearhead Application: Spearhead has applied to rezone three adjacent properties along Starlight Road and Highway 3A from Country Residential (R2) to Comprehensive Development 3 (CD3) and to amend their designation to Industrial (M). This rezoning would allow for the expansion of their wood product manufacturing business. The recently released groundwater assessment, along with other related documents, is now available on the RDCK website for public review.

A second public hearing is scheduled for January 28th, which will be accessible both in person and remotely via Zoom. We are following this with interest.

We are looking forward to working with you in 2025

caring for our beautiful lake!