When was the Wasa Lake Land Improvement District (WLLID) created and what is its mandate? The WLLID was created in 1969 at the request of residents. Its Letters Patent states that “the objects of the improvement district shall be to maintain a good quality of water in Wasa Lake by lake-level control and treatment of the water therein, land-improvement purpose, the acquisition of land, and the acquisition, maintenance, and operation of works for these purposes, and all matters incidental thereto.” In 1984 the Letters Patent were amended to include “the control of mosquitoes and insects through chemical spraying and all matters incidental to”. For more information, see Letters Patent.
When is the Annual General Meeting (AGM) and why is it important? The AGM is held between January 1st and May 1st, notice of which must be provided at least 14 days prior. During the meeting, the trustees report about their activities during the past year, an audited financial statement is presented, and new trustees are elected to available positions. The AGM is the formal opportunity for the public to comment on activities and to ask questions.
Are WLLID records available to the public? Yes, all records are available either on this website in the Library or by request to the secretary.
Can the public attend board meetings? Regular board meetings are open to the public. However, if someone wishes to address the board, they must request the chair’s permission prior to the meeting. See Meeting Procedures Bylaw for protocol.
What capital works does the WLLID undertake? See below "Flapgates".
How many properties are within WLLID boundary? 406
Where is the improvement district boundary? See Maps in Library
Can the WLLID boundary be extended? The boundary can only be extended if residents outside the boundary petition to be included.
What is the ratio of seasonal to full time residents? Our records do not differentiate between seasonal and full time. We only have addresses to go by.
BC addresses: 200 (124 of which are Wasa addresses) AB addresses: 198 Other: 6 Address unavailable: 2
Who pays taxes and at what rate? Every person who owns property within the WLLID boundary, regardless of circumstance, pays a set amount per/parcel. For example, in 2013 every lot was taxed at the rate of $60.00. In 2014, the rate was reduced to 50.00 per parcel. The rate is set my annual by-law and does not depend on property value or any other factor.
How do I pay my taxes? Mail your check or money order (please include your invoice) to: WLLID Box 133 Wasa BC V0B 2K0 Or you can send an Interac ETransfer to admin@wasalake.ca How to Complete an Interac ETransfer
Who is eligible to vote? The WLLID is subject to voting rules set out by the Province of British Columbia’s Local Government Act available at www.gov.bc.ca. To be eligible to vote or be a candidate for trustee, a person must be: ((Improvement District Manual p 19) 18 years of age Canadian citizen landowner in the Improvement District BC resident for the previous 6 months
What does WLLID use tax money for? See Budgets in Documents Library.
How is the tax rate determined? Trustees pass an annual bylaw stating the tax rate.
Is WLLID a non-profit organization? The WLLID is a “Land Improvement District”, which is a form of government incorporated under the Local Government Act. www.gov.bc.ca Improvement Districts are typically formed to manage a particular service such as waterworks or fire protection. There are 219 Improvement Districts in BC. Improvement Districts are administered by a VOLUNTEER Board of Trustees elected at the annual AGM. All activities are monitored by the Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development. Minutes from the AGM and audited annual financial reports are reviewed by the Ministry.
How many flapgates are there and where are they? There are two flapgates that have proven to be effective during flood events. One is on Hansen Channel that prevents dirty water from entering Wasa Lake and the second at the south end of Cameron Pond that prevents river water from entering Cameron Pond and accessing Wasa Lake (originally intended to be “trial flood mitigation flap gates”)
Why doesn’t the WLLID control the water in Cameron Pond? The water level of Cameron Pond is determined by Lewis Creek which flows into it. There are water licenses on Lewis Creek (which predate the WLLID and determine water usage) over which we have no influence.
Does the WLLID control mosquitoes? Although the WLLID was for many years involved in mosquito control, it is no longer. The Regional District of East Kootenay is in charge of mosquito control and taxes residents directly.
What is Flood Mitigation and why do we do it? The definition of “mitigation” is to reduce the severity. In the case of Wasa Lake, the flap gates mitigate the effects of flooding by reducing the speed of water into the lake, and by helping water to recede as quickly as possible once Kootenay River levels start to drop. The WLLID performs flood mitigation to: a) To lessen the economic impact on property owners and businesses in Wasa b) Expand recreational use of the area
How can I find out more about the hydrology of Wasa Lake and the Kootenay River? There have been a number of hydrological studies done that show the relationship between the lake and the river: Baker Report 1987, McElhanney Report 2012, and the McArthur Report (Drought Planning for the Wasa Lake Area) 2005. These reports are all available in the Library on this website.