About QLNA
The Quamichan Lake Neighbourhood Association (QLNA) was formed in 2016 as a grassroots community initiative to voice concerns about some land use decisions that were felt to be negatively impacting the community and the Quamichan Lake Watershed. The watershed area includes the areas around the lake where water flows/feeds into Quamichan Lake, as shown by the purple line.
The fertility and beauty of the Quamichan Lake Watershed has drawn people to the area since well before the first settlers, contributing to this community’s rich history and unique defining character. Development decisions of the past have significantly altered the form and character of the lands within the Watershed, as well as the natural hydrology of both the Watershed and Lake. The very rare deep-soil Garry oak savannah, once widespread in the watershed, is seriously diminishing and badly threatened, along with the species that thrived within this ecosystem such as the Western Bluebird.
The QLNA has been working hard to fight for the preservation of the last remnants of sensitive ecosystems and green corridors within the watershed, as well as for the preservation of the rural and agricultural character that defines our community.
The QLNA was very active throughout the process of updating the Municipality of North Cowichan’s Official Community Plan (OCP, Bylaw 3900), beginning in the winter of 2019 until its final adoption in August of 2022. We defined the rural character and agricultural heritage of this area through a series of photo-collages taken from various vantage points around Quamichan Lake. We also advocated on behalf of our members and the community, for the relocation of the Urban Containment Boundary (UCB) away from sensitive, rural lands bordering the lake and also from mature stands of forests with features the Coastal Douglas Fir Ecosystem such as is found on the Stonehill and Holly Farm properties that total about 150 acres of beautiful mostly forested lands just off Maple Bay Road.
The QLNA also advocated for the designation of Maple Bay Road as one of the Scenic Corridors that encircle Quamichan Lake, as well as for increasing the minimum riparian setback for any building near Quamichan Lake from 15 to 30 metres. We also helped define more detailed policies within the 2022 OCP that are specifically aimed at protecting and rehabilitating Quamichan Lake.
The QLNA will continue to work hard to protect the Watershed and the community and voice the concerns of our membership. We encourage you to join the QLNA and can find details on the membership page.
Current QLNA Board Members
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Nancy Dower
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Linda Hicks
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Carreen Unguran
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Steve Jones
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Per Dahlstrom
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Dick Zandee
