As people continue to strive to stay safe and stay apart, an online engagement process has been launched for the Columbia Lake Management Plan (CLMP) 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,” explained Regional District of East Kootenay (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.

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,” added 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.

Lead image: Columbia Lake, looking south toward Canal Flats. Ian Cobb/e-KNOW photo

RDEK

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