Cowichan Lake district residents can learn more about the application by Catalyst Paper for changes in its operation of the Cowichan Lake weir at a special meeting at Centennial Hall in Lake Cowichan on Thursday, Nov. 5, starting at 6 p.m.
Mayor Ross Forrest said Oct. 27, “With lake levels up and rainfall events forecast for the next two weeks, the boat lock gate will be in the fully raised position and the weir will be shut down for the wet season. The lake levels might be at a safe level now but to safeguard against future low level concerns Catalyst Paper is being proactive by submitting an application that will allow it to pump water from the lake if the need for that should arise in 2016 or 2017.”
Part of this application involves community consultation and that will begin with the informational open house, he said.
There has been widespread interest in the Cowichan River this year as the summer’s extended dry spell highlighted the need for a new look at management of the entire watershed.