Lake Koocanusa Official Community Plan

Author: Lake Koocanusa Official Community Plan

The Lake Koocanusa Official Community Plan (OCP) is a long term strategic planning document intended to: reflect the collective vision of the community for the future; guide and direct land use decision making with respect to the change or conservation of land uses; and help create the conditions necessary for the orderly and efficient use of the community land base. The OCP will be used and administered by the Board of Directors and Staff of the Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) to evaluate all future development proposals and changes in land use within the plan area. The plan does not commit the Regional District to specific projects or courses of action, however, all decisions made by the Regional District must be consistent with the plan. The OCP is intended to provide guidance on land use and development issues within the plan area for a five to fifteen year period. During that time, however, the OCP may be amended to respond to a change in the needs of the community. Amendments may be initiated either by a property owner or the Regional District. All proposed amendments are subject to an application process, public hearing and approval by the Regional District Board and appropriate Provincial Ministries. The OCP planning process was directed by a Joint Steering Committee which included representatives from the Ktunaxa Nation Council. Preparation of the OCP included consultation with the Ktunaxa Nation Council and the Tobacco Plains Indian Band in recognition of the land uses occurring and proposed in their traditional territory. Through the consultation process some objectives were identified that are specific to the Ktunaxa Nation; these objectives are identified separately in the OCP and attributed to the Ktunaxa Nation. The Lake Koocanusa plan area is part of the larger traditional territory of the Ktunaxa Nation. The Ktunaxa are currently at stage 4 of a treaty negotiation process that may impact Crown land located within the OCP area. The current treaty negotiations include a land offer for parcels in the vicinity of Lake Koocanusa; consequently, some of the current Crown land may be administered by the Ktunaxa Nation Council in the future. The treaty and OCP processes are independent of each other and any zoning designations assigned through a bylaw will not apply to lands acquired by the Ktunaxa Nation through a treaty settlement. Conversely, the Lake Koocanusa OCP will not affect the on-going treaty negotiations or treaty land offers. However, the Ktunaxa Nation Council may use the OCP to develop management strategies for lands they acquire through treaty and other processes. The Lake Koocanusa OCP area contains recorded archaeological sites and is also likely to contain many more unrecorded sites. These archaeological sites, which encompass thousands of years of inhabitation and utilization of the plan area, represent an important historical connection for the Ktunaxa Nation. As such, the plan includes policies to recognize the archaeological resources that are contained within the plan area and the need to conserve and mitigate any impacts to these resources.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS:
The plan area can be characterized as a broad and relatively level valley bottom found adjacent to Lake Koocanusa, a reservoir spanning the Canada-US border created by the damming of the Kootenay River at the Libby Dam in Montana. The plan area is made up of the Ponderosa Pine and Interior Douglas Fir biogeoclimatic zones, and includes areas of native grasslands which have been reduced in size following the creation of the Libby Dam, forest encroachment and human settlement. These grasslands provide habitat and winter forage for a variety of species including Elk and Deer. The plan area is home to a number of red and blue listed plant and animal species. Red listed species in the plan area include the Western Screech Owl, American Badger, Lewis’s Woodpecker, Blue Grama, Spalding’s Campion, and Williamson’s Sapsucker. Blue listed species in the plan area include Grizzly Bear, Long-billed Curlew, Flammulated Owl, Sandberg’s Desert-Parsley, Slender Wedgegrass, and Montana Larkspur.
Aside from Lake Koocanusa, the plan area contains other significant water resources providing a range of values. These water sources are used to meet the potable water, irrigation and recreational needs of residents and property owners in the plan area. These resources also provide important habitat for a variety of fish and wildlife species.
Public consultation during the preparation of this plan indicated that natural and environmental assets are highly valued by residents of the Lake Koocanusa area. For a majority of residents, the natural environment was one of the top reasons people chose to live or own property near Lake Koocanusa. Residents expressed strong support for protection of wildlife and their associated habitat within the plan area, including retention of the existing grassland habitat.
During the interagency consultation process, the Provincial government identified significant wildlife and environmental values within the plan area. The Provincial government indicated that, if development is to occur on the ungulate winter range within the plan area, clustered development which maximized the amount of undisturbed wildlife habitat would be preferable. Areas such as the zone between Kikomun-Newgate Road and Lake Koocanusa from Englishman Creek to Gold Bay encompass Class 1 ungulate winter range of significant regional importance which have been identified as unsuitable for further development.
Data supplied by the Provincial government was used to identify the environmentally sensitive areas (ESAs) indicated on Schedule I. Schedule I may not accurately depict all ESAs located within the plan area and consequently will be refined as new information regarding the location of ESAs becomes available. Policies included in section 10.3 are intended to apply to all ESAs located within the plan area, regardless of whether or not they are identified on Schedule I.
Objectives
(a) Retain critical wildlife habitat, designated wildlife corridors, and ungulate winter range.
(b) Encourage the protection of water resources within the plan area.
(c) Ensure that development and resource based activities cause minimal degradation of soil, air, and water systems, and are compatible with maintaining and enhancing wildlife habitat.
Ktunaxa Nation Council Objectives
(a) Ensure fisheries, fish bearing streams and fish species within the plan area, including fisheries on the lower Elk River, are managed sustainably.
(b) Ensure the protection of species at risk, wildlife habitat and wildlife corridors.
(c) Recognize the importance of containing and controlling invasive fish species, and preventing their establishment.

ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES:
Part of the plan areas heritage includes archaeological sites”the physical evidence of how and where people lived in the past. This archaeological history extends back thousands of years through inhabitation and utilization of the land and its resources by the Ktunaxa. For 98% of the time people have lived in this area, no written records were made. Cultural heritage sites and oral tradition are the only evidence of this rich history extending back many thousands of years. The term cultural heritage sites includes, but is not limited to, archaeological/heritage sites and objects, cultural/heritage landscapes, sacred/spiritual sites and sites with cultural value. It encompasses sites and objects regardless of age.
The plan area contains recorded archaeological sites and is also likely to contain many unrecorded archaeological and cultural heritage sites. The Province protects both recorded and unrecorded archaeological sites through the Heritage Conservation Act. Archaeological sites dating before 1846 are protected under the Heritage Conservation Act and must not be disturbed or altered without a permit from the Archaeology Branch. This protection applies to both private and Crown land and means that the land owner must have a provincial heritage permit to alter or develop land within an archaeological site.
Knowledge of cultural heritage sites is gained through the Provincial database of recorded archaeological sites and consultation with the Ktunaxa Lands & Resources Agency. An Archaeological Overview Assessment has not been conducted for the plan area but the completion of such an overview is supported within this plan.
The plan areas cultural heritage also includes a number of small towns, formerly located along the Kootenay River, which were abandoned and flooded following the construction of the Libby Dam, completed in 1972. Waldo was a farming and logging community that was largely destroyed by fire in 1929. Elkmouth was a small community built around a mill located at the confluence of the Elk and Kootenay Rivers. Krag was a farming community largely comprised of Swedish families located a mile south of Waldo. Flagstone (located 8 km north of Newgate) and Dorr (located 8 km north of Flagstone) were communities which grew around logging and sawmill operations that began at the turn of the century. Gateway, located at the international border on the east shore of the Kootenay River was the site of a ferry crossing and later a bridge across the Kootenay, farming operations, inspection offices, and railway offices. All structures in these former town sites were removed during construction of the Libby Dam.
Located within the plan area are the historic Kalispell Trails, which connected settlements and farms along the Rocky Mountain Trench in the late 19th and early 20th century. The Kalispell Trails led from Kalispell, Montana to Fort Steele, Wildhorse Creek and eventually Invermere. Initially this route was a horse trail to transport supplies northward and gold southward. The trail was later improved and relocated in sections to facilitate the use of horse-drawn wagons.
RDEK Objectives
(a) Ensure that property owners are aware of their responsibilities under the Heritage Conservation Act when conducting land-altering activities.
(b) Recognize the potential for discovery of cultural heritage sites and artifacts during the development process.
(c) Avoid or reduce unauthorized damage to protected archaeological sites on private land in accordance with the Heritage Conservation Act.
(d) Recognize the need for an Archaeological Overview Assessment for private land located within the plan area.
Ktunaxa Nation Council Objectives
(a) Ensure the protection of archaeological and cultural resources within the plan area.
(b) Recognize the need for an Archaeological Overview Assessment for the Lake Koocanusa OCP area.
Provincial Objectives
(a) Avoid or reduce unauthorized damage to protected archaeological sites on Crown land in accordance with the Heritage Conservation Act.
(b) Recognize the need for an Archaeological Overview Assessment for Crown land located within the plan area.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS:
The plan area can be characterized as a broad and relatively level valley bottom found adjacent to Lake Koocanusa, a reservoir spanning the Canada-US border created by the damming of the Kootenay River at the Libby Dam in Montana. The plan area is made up of the Ponderosa Pine and Interior Douglas Fir biogeoclimatic zones, and includes areas of native grasslands which have been reduced in size following the creation of the Libby Dam, forest encroachment and human settlement. These grasslands provide habitat and winter forage for a variety of species including Elk and Deer. The plan area is home to a number of red and blue listed plant and animal species. Red listed species in the plan area include the Western Screech Owl, American Badger, Lewis’s Woodpecker, Blue Grama, Spalding’s Campion, and Williamson’s Sapsucker. Blue listed species in the plan area include Grizzly Bear, Long-billed Curlew, Flammulated Owl, Sandberg’s Desert-Parsley, Slender Wedgegrass, and Montana Larkspur.
Aside from Lake Koocanusa, the plan area contains other significant water resources providing a range of values. These water sources are used to meet the potable water, irrigation and recreational needs of residents and property owners in the plan area. These resources also provide important habitat for a variety of fish and wildlife species.
Public consultation during the preparation of this plan indicated that natural and environmental assets are highly valued by residents of the Lake Koocanusa area. For a majority of residents, the natural environment was one of the top reasons people chose to live or own property near Lake Koocanusa. Residents expressed strong support for protection of wildlife and their associated habitat within the plan area, including retention of the existing grassland habitat.
During the interagency consultation process, the Provincial government identified significant wildlife and environmental values within the plan area. The Provincial government indicated that, if development is to occur on the ungulate winter range within the plan area, clustered development which maximized the amount of undisturbed wildlife habitat would be preferable. Areas such as the zone between Kikomun-Newgate Road and Lake Koocanusa from Englishman Creek to Gold Bay encompass Class 1 ungulate winter range of significant regional importance which have been identified as unsuitable for further development.
Data supplied by the Provincial government was used to identify the environmentally sensitive areas (ESAs) indicated on Schedule I. Schedule I may not accurately depict all ESAs located within the plan area and consequently will be refined as new information regarding the location of ESAs becomes available. Policies included in section 10.3 are intended to apply to all ESAs located within the plan area, regardless of whether or not they are identified on Schedule I.
Objectives
(a) Retain critical wildlife habitat, designated wildlife corridors, and ungulate winter range.
(b) Encourage the protection of water resources within the plan area.
(c) Ensure that development and resource based activities cause minimal degradation of soil, air, and water systems, and are compatible with maintaining and enhancing wildlife habitat.
Ktunaxa Nation Council Objectives
(a) Ensure fisheries, fish bearing streams and fish species within the plan area, including fisheries on the lower Elk River, are managed sustainably.
(b) Ensure the protection of species at risk, wildlife habitat and wildlife corridors.
(c) Recognize the importance of containing and controlling invasive fish species, and preventing their establishment.

ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES:
Part of the plan areas heritage includes archaeological sites”the physical evidence of how and where people lived in the past. This archaeological history extends back thousands of years through inhabitation and utilization of the land and its resources by the Ktunaxa. For 98% of the time people have lived in this area, no written records were made. Cultural heritage sites and oral tradition are the only evidence of this rich history extending back many thousands of years. The term cultural heritage sites includes, but is not limited to, archaeological/heritage sites and objects, cultural/heritage landscapes, sacred/spiritual sites and sites with cultural value. It encompasses sites and objects regardless of age.
The plan area contains recorded archaeological sites and is also likely to contain many unrecorded archaeological and cultural heritage sites. The Province protects both recorded and unrecorded archaeological sites through the Heritage Conservation Act. Archaeological sites dating before 1846 are protected under the Heritage Conservation Act and must not be disturbed or altered without a permit from the Archaeology Branch. This protection applies to both private and Crown land and means that the land owner must have a provincial heritage permit to alter or develop land within an archaeological site.
Knowledge of cultural heritage sites is gained through the Provincial database of recorded archaeological sites and consultation with the Ktunaxa Lands & Resources Agency. An Archaeological Overview Assessment has not been conducted for the plan area but the completion of such an overview is supported within this plan.
The plan areas cultural heritage also includes a number of small towns, formerly located along the Kootenay River, which were abandoned and flooded following the construction of the Libby Dam, completed in 1972. Waldo was a farming and logging community that was largely destroyed by fire in 1929. Elkmouth was a small community built around a mill located at the confluence of the Elk and Kootenay Rivers. Krag was a farming community largely comprised of Swedish families located a mile south of Waldo. Flagstone (located 8 km north of Newgate) and Dorr (located 8 km north of Flagstone) were communities which grew around logging and sawmill operations that began at the turn of the century. Gateway, located at the international border on the east shore of the Kootenay River was the site of a ferry crossing and later a bridge across the Kootenay, farming operations, inspection offices, and railway offices. All structures in these former town sites were removed during construction of the Libby Dam.
Located within the plan area are the historic Kalispell Trails, which connected settlements and farms along the Rocky Mountain Trench in the late 19th and early 20th century. The Kalispell Trails led from Kalispell, Montana to Fort Steele, Wildhorse Creek and eventually Invermere. Initially this route was a horse trail to transport supplies northward and gold southward. The trail was later improved and relocated in sections to facilitate the use of horse-drawn wagons.
RDEK Objectives
(a) Ensure that property owners are aware of their responsibilities under the Heritage Conservation Act when conducting land-altering activities.
(b) Recognize the potential for discovery of cultural heritage sites and artifacts during the development process.
(c) Avoid or reduce unauthorized damage to protected archaeological sites on private land in accordance with the Heritage Conservation Act.
(d) Recognize the need for an Archaeological Overview Assessment for private land located within the plan area.
Ktunaxa Nation Council Objectives
(a) Ensure the protection of archaeological and cultural resources within the plan area.
(b) Recognize the need for an Archaeological Overview Assessment for the Lake Koocanusa OCP area.
Provincial Objectives
(a) Avoid or reduce unauthorized damage to protected archaeological sites on Crown land in accordance with the Heritage Conservation Act.
(b) Recognize the need for an Archaeological Overview Assessment for Crown land located within the plan area.