August Board Report - Wasa Lake Land Improvement District

On August 12^th, 2026, the WLLID Board held its regular monthly meeting.

An over-flowing crowd of residents showed up at the WLLID office.

Spilling out into the hall, most people were protesting the Larratt Aquatic report and its findings. Prior to the meeting, two of the dissenters demanded the Board not present the Larratt findings at the next day’s RDEK Board meeting.

A minority in attendance at the Community Hall were there to support the WLLID and the Larratt report.

The WLLID, created by the BC government, has many powers, including taxation. The Board is duly elected to carry out activities according to its mandate. The Letters Patent can be found here: https://wasalake.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/letters_patent.pdf

The current discussion in the community is healthy for democracy, the lake and the community.

These conversations, even debates, must remain civil, respectful and professional.

The Board approved the date for the next AGM and elections. It will be held October 29, 2026, starting 7pm at the Wasa Community Hall. Further communications on elections, nominations and deadlines will be reported soon on the WLLID website, in the Newsletter and the October Buzz.

On 13 August, 2026, Nowell Berg and Shauna Maybe presented an over-view of the findings from the Larratt Report.

Below is the opening remarks as written and read by Nowell Berg.

_______________________

Hello, I am Nowell Berg, Chair of the Board of Trustees, WLLID

With me is Trustee Shauna Maybe.

Thank you to the Jane Walter and RDEK for the opportunity to present.

WLLID does not have a formal or informal policy regarding boats because we do not have jurisdiction or authority to restrict them. As you know, this is a Federal responsibility (Transport Canada) and Provincial jurisdiction (Water Act).

At this time, ID is not advocating for restricting boats. Two reasons:

First, the ID and the community need more information into whether or not there is a link between water quality and other negative impacts, and power boating. For some people its pretty clear there is a link. For others there is no link at all.

Second, establishing a position as divisive as boat restrictions would only be taken by the ID after extensive discussion and input from all taxpayers to determine their support for or against such a policy.

I have advocated for the ID to lead an engagement process that would lead to community-based solutions. This, I believe, is preferential to having regulations imposed by higher levels of government.

The Larratt study is the first such research done at Wasa and was designed to provide a baseline of data to which future observations and measurements can be compared.

The ID did not prescribe any report conclusions, they are solely those of the Larratt researchers.

After a video presentation of the Larratt report by the lead researcher, ID gathered feedback from participants who were a mix of ID taxpayers and others. This feedback provides a snap shot of the 72 people who returned a survey. So, its findings may or may not reflect the opinions and position of the 400 taxpayers who are members of the ID.

While the ID facilitated the feedback survey, it was never designed to be the final statement, but a starting point for further community discussions. The ID Board will continue listening to all taxpayers, a majority of which have yet to express any thoughts on the issue.

Given the email response from a vocal minority, there is obviously differences of opinion about the Larratt report and what to do at Wasa. They have asked for an opportunity to participate and they will have multiple chances.

The bottom line, the ID and the community need more science data and information in order to make an informed decision about a highly emotional issue.

The Larratt study concludes:

Water quality at Wasa is “suitable for recreational use”
Green algae, while growing more extensive, “poses no risk” other than a swimmers response of “ick” or “its really slimy and dirty.”
Cyanobacteria is present, but “densities do not pose a health risk to recreators”

Sediment Quality – Given the history of a mining concentrator at the SE corner of Wasa that used Cameron Pond as its tailings pond and a number of sawmills, it is surprising the EPH concentrations are not higher.

The Larratt report points to sediment remobilization as an issue that detracts from water quality.

This is an area that needs further study, which the ID is willing to undertake.

Total Metals:

Larratt concluded that “calcium, strontium and sulfur concentrations surpassed regional averages at all sample sites.” Larratt also said these concentrations “are not commonly associated with boating, but likely local geology.” (p19)

When you look at the water chemistry, there are some parameters that exceed Provincial / Federal guidelines, but nothing that is detrimental to the health of persons.

Invasive Mussels – the risk at Wasa is extreme due to the high concentration of Calcium in the water and the number of access points (6) around the lake.

The primary source of invasive mussels are large and small boats.

The environmental and economic impact of invasive mussels getting into Wasa would be devastating to the whole community and the RDEK.

Back in 1988, in a Brief sent to (at the time) Ministry of Lands, Parks and Housing, the ID Board raised the issue of restricting boat access to prevent the spread of milfoil.

They suggested there should be only one launch point. They also said, “Uncontrolled boat access to Wasa Lake represents the most significant problem relating to control of water quality.”

The present day Board would concur.

The fix for reducing the likelihood of invasive muscle introduction at Wasa is a single point of entry.

I’ll turn it over Shauna to finish the presentation.

___________________________________

Later that day, we learned the RDEK would be asking “Transport Canada to develop science-based criteria for when powerboat use could threaten lake health.” As others have said, without Transport Canada’s support, nothing will happen. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/wasa-lake-assessment-9.7308430

Another presentation at the 13 August meeting, from a group at Invermere, presented a plan for a regional Columbia Valley – EK view on wake boating restrictions.

I bring this information up to show that the WLLID and Wasa are a very small part in the debate around wake-boats. It has moved way beyond the our jurisdiction. The current Board will not be part of, nor contribute to, any future processes or decisions being undertaken by higher levels of government.

Two reports will be forth coming and will be posted in the Reports section of the website. One, a response from Larratt Aquatic replying to questions raised by residents at the June 17^th pubic meeting. The other is a WLLID report answering questions it received at the same meeting.

The next WLLID regular Board meeting is 9 September, 2026. Lower level, Wasa Community Hall starting at 7pm. The public is welcome to attend.

If you want to make a presentation to the Board, please send an email requesting a time slot on the Board agenda at least two weeks in advance of the meeting. On the Monday before the Wednesday meeting, please provide a copy of your presentation to the Board. Email to admin@wasalake.ca.

Please note there are no provisions for a PowerPoint presentation, nor an internet connection.