Join us for the 2018 Trash Bash on September 15
October 14, 2018 Town Hall Meeting
and Annual General Meeting
On Sunday, October 14, 2018, at 1 PM we will host a Town Hall Meeting followed by our AGM at the Community Hall, 12975 Madeira Park Road in Madeira Park. The Town Hall Meeting will possibly feature a debate by candidates for the Area A seat on the SCRD Board of Directors and Board of Education in the upcoming municipal election (subject to who is running at the close of nomination on September 14), and updates on what is happening with the Dock Management Plan Working Group, and the Pender Harbour Advisory Council's Derelict Vessels Project.
There will also be the second annual presentation of the Rotary Club/PHACS Community Volunteer Awards.
This will be followed by our Annual General Meeting. Please stay for the AGM, it only lasts about 30 minutes. For minutes of our 2017 AGM, please visit our website at http://www.penderharbouradvisorycouncil.com/
There is always space on the Advisory Council for people who want to improve the quality of life in Pender Harbour. If you are interested in a seat on our Board please write to phadvisorycouncil@gmail.com and tell us a bit about yourself and what you can contribute.
There will also be the second annual presentation of the Rotary Club/PHACS Community Volunteer Awards.
This will be followed by our Annual General Meeting. Please stay for the AGM, it only lasts about 30 minutes. For minutes of our 2017 AGM, please visit our website at http://www.penderharbouradvisorycouncil.com/
There is always space on the Advisory Council for people who want to improve the quality of life in Pender Harbour. If you are interested in a seat on our Board please write to phadvisorycouncil@gmail.com and tell us a bit about yourself and what you can contribute.
Media Coverage on Dock Management Plan
Global News, May 24, 2018 https://globalnews.ca/video/4227762/sunshine-coast-dock-owners-in-an-uproar
Vancouver Sun, May 21, 2018 http://vancouversun.com/news/local-news/unauthorized-docks-to-be-demolished-in-pender-harbour
Coast Reporter, April 5, 2018 http://www.coastreporter.net/real-estate/province-releases-pender-dock-plan-1.23256672
Global News, May 24, 2018 https://globalnews.ca/video/4227762/sunshine-coast-dock-owners-in-an-uproar
Vancouver Sun, May 21, 2018 http://vancouversun.com/news/local-news/unauthorized-docks-to-be-demolished-in-pender-harbour
Coast Reporter, April 5, 2018 http://www.coastreporter.net/real-estate/province-releases-pender-dock-plan-1.23256672
Dock Management Plan
A team from the Dock Management Plan Working Group, consisting of Len Lee, Elaine Park, Bill Charlton, and Sean McAllister reviewed where the dock management plan issue stands right now, at the Pender Harbour Advisory Council Town Hall Meeting on May 6, 2018
To view their presentation, please see: http://www.penderharbourdockplan.com/
Regarding Questions Posed to Pender Harbour Advisory Council on the Dock Management Plan
The Provincial government recently issued an announcement that the new Dock Management Plan for Pender Harbour was released and in effect. While somewhat different from earlier iterations of the Dock Management Plan, many questions have still been raised in interpreting the plan. Some of these have been posed to the Pender Harbour Advisory Council, and we carried all of these forward to our meeting with the Provincial and shíshálh Nation Dock Management Plan teams.
The questions we asked on behalf of the residents fall into two categories:
The shíshálh Nation and the Ministry are prepared to answer questions which fall into the first category but are not prepared to answer questions that fall into the second category.
While the PHAC Directors have read the documents and are trying to provide advice to residents of Pender Harbour, there are no simple answers to all the questions raised. The best course of action is to contact the Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development (the Ministry) or the shíshálh Nation, depending on the nature of your issue. What we do know, follows:
1. The policy document is now in force and is considered to be final.
2. There will not be any further consultation or dialogue with the community as a whole.
3. Tenured dock owners are already getting explanatory letters from the Ministry.
4. A new brochure regarding the DMP is being distributed now by the Ministry. This is available in several places in the community and also in .pdf format, including our website http://www.penderharbouradvisorycouncil.com/
5.The Ministry staff encourage dock owners with questions to call the Ministry at the number listed in the brochure, 604-586-4400.The shíshálh Nation staff encourages contact with them early in any new tenure application process regarding archaeological inquiries so that they can help facilitate any review, if required.
6. Remember that each inquiry or application regarding foreshore use, which is crown land below the high tide line, is unique and its ability to comply fully with the new Management Zone requirements will have to be assessed on a case by case basis.
7. The full text of all of the Provincial Governments decisions and related materials on this issue can be found on their website at https://arfd.gov.bc.ca/ApplicationPosting/viewpost.jsp?PostID=43285
A team from the Dock Management Plan Working Group, consisting of Len Lee, Elaine Park, Bill Charlton, and Sean McAllister reviewed where the dock management plan issue stands right now, at the Pender Harbour Advisory Council Town Hall Meeting on May 6, 2018
To view their presentation, please see: http://www.penderharbourdockplan.com/
Regarding Questions Posed to Pender Harbour Advisory Council on the Dock Management Plan
The Provincial government recently issued an announcement that the new Dock Management Plan for Pender Harbour was released and in effect. While somewhat different from earlier iterations of the Dock Management Plan, many questions have still been raised in interpreting the plan. Some of these have been posed to the Pender Harbour Advisory Council, and we carried all of these forward to our meeting with the Provincial and shíshálh Nation Dock Management Plan teams.
The questions we asked on behalf of the residents fall into two categories:
- The first category is about the mechanics of getting or keeping a tenure. Questions like what do I do if I want to build a new dock and have never had one and what do I do to keep my existing dock or change it in some way (new or replacement applications).
- The second category is about the reasons for the DMP, disagreement with the policy, and suggestions for improvement.
The shíshálh Nation and the Ministry are prepared to answer questions which fall into the first category but are not prepared to answer questions that fall into the second category.
While the PHAC Directors have read the documents and are trying to provide advice to residents of Pender Harbour, there are no simple answers to all the questions raised. The best course of action is to contact the Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development (the Ministry) or the shíshálh Nation, depending on the nature of your issue. What we do know, follows:
1. The policy document is now in force and is considered to be final.
2. There will not be any further consultation or dialogue with the community as a whole.
3. Tenured dock owners are already getting explanatory letters from the Ministry.
4. A new brochure regarding the DMP is being distributed now by the Ministry. This is available in several places in the community and also in .pdf format, including our website http://www.penderharbouradvisorycouncil.com/
5.The Ministry staff encourage dock owners with questions to call the Ministry at the number listed in the brochure, 604-586-4400.The shíshálh Nation staff encourages contact with them early in any new tenure application process regarding archaeological inquiries so that they can help facilitate any review, if required.
6. Remember that each inquiry or application regarding foreshore use, which is crown land below the high tide line, is unique and its ability to comply fully with the new Management Zone requirements will have to be assessed on a case by case basis.
7. The full text of all of the Provincial Governments decisions and related materials on this issue can be found on their website at https://arfd.gov.bc.ca/ApplicationPosting/viewpost.jsp?PostID=43285
PHAC scores Grant to Start Dealing with Derelict Vessels
Federal Government supports Pender Harbour Study of two derelict boats in Pender Harbour
The Pender Harbour Advisory Council (PHAC) is pleased to announce that the Federal Government has agreed to provide $10,000 to kick off the first phase of PHAC’s new program for dealing with derelict boats in Pender Harbour. The study will attack the two most objectionable and long-standing examples of derelict boats: the Lulu Island and the Kwatna.
The local MP Pamela Goldsmith-Jones was in Madeira Park to deliver the good news. The federal Abandoned Boats Program (ABP) provides grant and contribution funding to assist in the removal of abandoned and/or wrecked small boats posing a hazard in Canadian waters. The ABP has two key components:
• The assessment and removals (A&R) component funds boat removal assessments, and 75% of the permanent removal and disposal of abandoned and/or wrecked small boats.
• The education, awareness and research (EA&R) component
The PHAC, under the leadership of Board members Eliza Kinley & Penny Harrison, applied for a grant under the A&R Section and has been awarded $10,000 towards the assessment of two abandoned boats. The next step is the actual assessment, including the cost of disposal. After that comes the grant application for disposing of them. The PHAC is undertaking this endeavour on behalf of the PH community and all boaters in Pender Harbour.
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For more information contact: Alan Stewart, President Pender Harbour Advisory Council – Madeira Park Mobile: (604) 740-2353 E-mail: phadvisorycouncil@gmail.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/168802656631512/
The Pender Harbour Advisory Council (PHAC) is pleased to announce that the Federal Government has agreed to provide $10,000 to kick off the first phase of PHAC’s new program for dealing with derelict boats in Pender Harbour. The study will attack the two most objectionable and long-standing examples of derelict boats: the Lulu Island and the Kwatna.
The local MP Pamela Goldsmith-Jones was in Madeira Park to deliver the good news. The federal Abandoned Boats Program (ABP) provides grant and contribution funding to assist in the removal of abandoned and/or wrecked small boats posing a hazard in Canadian waters. The ABP has two key components:
• The assessment and removals (A&R) component funds boat removal assessments, and 75% of the permanent removal and disposal of abandoned and/or wrecked small boats.
• The education, awareness and research (EA&R) component
The PHAC, under the leadership of Board members Eliza Kinley & Penny Harrison, applied for a grant under the A&R Section and has been awarded $10,000 towards the assessment of two abandoned boats. The next step is the actual assessment, including the cost of disposal. After that comes the grant application for disposing of them. The PHAC is undertaking this endeavour on behalf of the PH community and all boaters in Pender Harbour.
------30------
For more information contact: Alan Stewart, President Pender Harbour Advisory Council – Madeira Park Mobile: (604) 740-2353 E-mail: phadvisorycouncil@gmail.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/168802656631512/
Community Volunteer Awards, AGM, and Town Hall Meeting
The Pender Harbour Advisory Council Town Hall Meeting
Pender Harbour Community Hall ~ September 10, 2017 at 1 pm
The event was chaired by PHACS President Alan Stewart
Alan opened the meeting by recognizing special guests: Area A Representative to the SCRD, Frank Mauro, MLS Nicholas Simon, Chief Warren Paul of the Sechelt Nation, members of the Pender Harbour Advisory Council Board and winners of the Community Volunteer awards.
Alan briefly discussed some changes in Pender Harbour in the last 5 years using demographics from the 2016 Census provided by the Pender Harbour Health Centre Board.
Mike Price, PHACS Board Member and President of the Pender Harbour Rotary Club introduced the winners of the community volunteer awards: Doreen Lee, Lifetime Achievement Award; Barrie Wilbee, Lifetime Achievement Award; and Bill Gilkes, Volunteer of the Year for 2017. Mike thanked the many volunteers in Pender Harbour for all that they do for our community.
Moving into the presentation part of the program:
• Amanda Peterson, Pender Harbour Fitness and Aquatic Centre, introduced their fall program and the Community Recreation brochure.
• Darcy Murray and Francine Clohosey of the Pender harbour Community School, spoke about their work with youth needing support in the community. What is new with this program is access to more support through the schools including food support, First Nations leadership program, and more activities for young people. Now, youth are much more likely to come forward and ask for help when they are in need. Francine mentioned creating an inventory of all of the activities available for youth and the Youth Advocate Collective.
• Michael Jackson, Executive Director of PODS (Pender Harbour Ocean Discovery Station) said that PODS is within $180,000 of achieving their goal of acquiring the Irvine's Landing property for their facility. Now is the time to step up and donate! They have a partnership with Simon Fraser University which will bring hundreds of students, researchers and professors to the community. Over 10,000 volunteer hours have been spent on the Ruby Lake Lagoon Society projects to date in 2017. They have opened an information facility in Madeira Park, and the PODS website is https://www.openpods.com/
• Bill Charlton presented a new Chamber of Commerce initiative “Pender Harbour Christmas” He referenced the murals in Chemainus and suggested the Pender Harbour could become a Christmas light focal point for the Sunshine Coast. The website is http://penderharbourchristmas.com/
• Nicholas Simon, MLA for Powell River and the Sunshine Coast, acknowledged that we were meeting in the traditional territory of the Sechelt First Nation. He introduced Chief Warren Paul. Chief Paul noted that the draft Dock Management Plan had created conflict with previous Sechelt First Nations Councils. He said that the Sechelt Nation currently wants to work together with everyone and find a middle ground where we can all meet and agree. Nicholas Simons noted that the contracts for archaeological and environmental studies, as recommended in Barry Penner's report had been awarded in the last week and that the work would be completed in early 2018. He offered to meet with the DMP Working Group.
• Frank Mauro, Area A representative with the SCRDacknowledged Chief Paul and thanked him for his message on working together with the community. Frank addressed the many terms and issues concerning derelict vessels, which include: structures that are not actively being worked on but are anchored in the waterway without permission, sunken boats, vessels (owner was known and boat is working) those needing anchor lights, structures without tenures, permanent liveaboards discharging sewage into the Harbour, etc. There is a new federal government program for the removal of derelict vessels and for education around the issue. There is also Harbour Authority funding for derelict vessels left at their docks. Frank is looking for a group or society to take on making an application for funding to remove derelict vessels. The application deadline for the removal of derelict vessels is October 30, 2017.
The meeting moved into the “Open Mic” part of the program, where Town Hall Meeting participants get to inform PHACS and the meeting about their concerns. Issues raised in this part of the meeting will sometimes find their way into our strategic plan.
· David (from Davis Bay) mentioned the need for affordable housing and urges the community to create and rent out basement suites.
· Annie Schroeder, Marketing Director for Sunshine Coast Tourism introduced herself. To the community.
· Michael Jackson said that the Lagoon Society was looking at applying for a grant for emergency spill response equipment to be located at Irvine’s Landing.
· Tom Seeley (Madeira Park) question to Nicholas Simon and Chief Warren Paul ”What about the Pender Harbour Indians?” They are interested in their status and their artifacts. They have inquiries before the federal government. Melissa Andronyk RE Pender Harbour First Nation asking to move the issue forward with the Sechelt Nation
· Lynn Squire re Traffic going by Tyner Park and the lack of signage and parking people accessing the Lily Lake Trail and Tyner Park. Lily Lake development also has a parking problem because of the park.
The Town Hall Meeting was adjourned and the meeting moved into the Pender Harbour Advisory Council AGM.
Pender Harbour Community Hall ~ September 10, 2017 at 1 pm
The event was chaired by PHACS President Alan Stewart
Alan opened the meeting by recognizing special guests: Area A Representative to the SCRD, Frank Mauro, MLS Nicholas Simon, Chief Warren Paul of the Sechelt Nation, members of the Pender Harbour Advisory Council Board and winners of the Community Volunteer awards.
Alan briefly discussed some changes in Pender Harbour in the last 5 years using demographics from the 2016 Census provided by the Pender Harbour Health Centre Board.
Mike Price, PHACS Board Member and President of the Pender Harbour Rotary Club introduced the winners of the community volunteer awards: Doreen Lee, Lifetime Achievement Award; Barrie Wilbee, Lifetime Achievement Award; and Bill Gilkes, Volunteer of the Year for 2017. Mike thanked the many volunteers in Pender Harbour for all that they do for our community.
Moving into the presentation part of the program:
• Amanda Peterson, Pender Harbour Fitness and Aquatic Centre, introduced their fall program and the Community Recreation brochure.
• Darcy Murray and Francine Clohosey of the Pender harbour Community School, spoke about their work with youth needing support in the community. What is new with this program is access to more support through the schools including food support, First Nations leadership program, and more activities for young people. Now, youth are much more likely to come forward and ask for help when they are in need. Francine mentioned creating an inventory of all of the activities available for youth and the Youth Advocate Collective.
• Michael Jackson, Executive Director of PODS (Pender Harbour Ocean Discovery Station) said that PODS is within $180,000 of achieving their goal of acquiring the Irvine's Landing property for their facility. Now is the time to step up and donate! They have a partnership with Simon Fraser University which will bring hundreds of students, researchers and professors to the community. Over 10,000 volunteer hours have been spent on the Ruby Lake Lagoon Society projects to date in 2017. They have opened an information facility in Madeira Park, and the PODS website is https://www.openpods.com/
• Bill Charlton presented a new Chamber of Commerce initiative “Pender Harbour Christmas” He referenced the murals in Chemainus and suggested the Pender Harbour could become a Christmas light focal point for the Sunshine Coast. The website is http://penderharbourchristmas.com/
• Nicholas Simon, MLA for Powell River and the Sunshine Coast, acknowledged that we were meeting in the traditional territory of the Sechelt First Nation. He introduced Chief Warren Paul. Chief Paul noted that the draft Dock Management Plan had created conflict with previous Sechelt First Nations Councils. He said that the Sechelt Nation currently wants to work together with everyone and find a middle ground where we can all meet and agree. Nicholas Simons noted that the contracts for archaeological and environmental studies, as recommended in Barry Penner's report had been awarded in the last week and that the work would be completed in early 2018. He offered to meet with the DMP Working Group.
• Frank Mauro, Area A representative with the SCRDacknowledged Chief Paul and thanked him for his message on working together with the community. Frank addressed the many terms and issues concerning derelict vessels, which include: structures that are not actively being worked on but are anchored in the waterway without permission, sunken boats, vessels (owner was known and boat is working) those needing anchor lights, structures without tenures, permanent liveaboards discharging sewage into the Harbour, etc. There is a new federal government program for the removal of derelict vessels and for education around the issue. There is also Harbour Authority funding for derelict vessels left at their docks. Frank is looking for a group or society to take on making an application for funding to remove derelict vessels. The application deadline for the removal of derelict vessels is October 30, 2017.
The meeting moved into the “Open Mic” part of the program, where Town Hall Meeting participants get to inform PHACS and the meeting about their concerns. Issues raised in this part of the meeting will sometimes find their way into our strategic plan.
· David (from Davis Bay) mentioned the need for affordable housing and urges the community to create and rent out basement suites.
· Annie Schroeder, Marketing Director for Sunshine Coast Tourism introduced herself. To the community.
· Michael Jackson said that the Lagoon Society was looking at applying for a grant for emergency spill response equipment to be located at Irvine’s Landing.
· Tom Seeley (Madeira Park) question to Nicholas Simon and Chief Warren Paul ”What about the Pender Harbour Indians?” They are interested in their status and their artifacts. They have inquiries before the federal government. Melissa Andronyk RE Pender Harbour First Nation asking to move the issue forward with the Sechelt Nation
· Lynn Squire re Traffic going by Tyner Park and the lack of signage and parking people accessing the Lily Lake Trail and Tyner Park. Lily Lake development also has a parking problem because of the park.
The Town Hall Meeting was adjourned and the meeting moved into the Pender Harbour Advisory Council AGM.
- Bill Charlton expressed concern about the sad state of many Pender Harbour Roads. He also expressed interest in having a meeting with Chief Warren Paul and Nicholas Simons regarding the Dock Management Plan.
Signs of the times
Pender Harbour Hikers and Sunshine Coast Community Forest Contribute Trail Signage to the Community . . . read more
“Slow-No Wake” Buoys and signs are part of a Pender Harbour Advisory Council initiative to get boaters to slow down both to reduce damaging wakes and make the harbour a safe place for all water users. Summer is coming and everyone will be heading for the water.
