Saloompt Flood/ CCRD Event Timeline: Tom Hermance, Carsten Ginsburg,  Homeowners
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2006
October
30-31 Flood event - At my property, the Saloompt River changed course 200m west of my yard. It flooded the yard up to the house. It washed out N Saloompt Road and overwhelmed Croft Creek. Croft runs alongside the road and into the lower community. CCRD investigated but was unable to assist. (attached Map)
2007
April
We hired contractors to construct (200m west) earthen log walls on either side of the burst portion to (hopefully) collect debris and create a barrier. It worked for the summer months. The barrier was able to deflect roughly half of the flow back into the original channel.

October
7th -9th The build up of debris that held up a stack of debris burst after heavy rain inundated the area. It flooded up to the house and flowed directly into road.

21st / 22nd -Major flood event (PEP Task No. 08-3307) The road was washed away in three locations as did two other driveways.

28th - A high streamflow advisory was issued for Saloompt. The rains carried more debris into the yard and down the road.

By the end of November, Saloompt flooding amassed:
    - PEP donations of sand and sandbags (Oct.22)
    - BC Hydro donations of gabion cages
    - Emergency Management provision of atleast $50,000 in funding for Upper Saloompt River area

Paul Doyle (Doyle Engineering), Brad Koroluk (DFO), Volker Michelfelder ( MoE), Stephen Waugh (CCRD) were on site numerous times to discuss and formalize a plan. All agreed to close off the new channel. Doyle's preliminary report released and recommended "..emergency action now: Close gap in Hermance dike completely, if allowed by DFO.."

December
5th- Mr. Waugh emailed and stated the project funding won't be as much as first thought.
7th -Mr. Waugh visited to discuss a 'possible scaled down version'. While in my backyard, my partner and I went over some ideas. I thought we were having a pleasant conversation, until Mr. Waugh said 'I didn't know you were a couple of hydrologists..You're lucky the district doesn't sell the property to the province.' I asked him to clarify. Eventually, Mr. Waugh told us MoT won't contribute funding, so any expectations of actual river work was now over.

11th -  I emailed Ms. MacKay to ask if any discussions, or risk assessments were done in reference to leaving the river where it is. I'm invited to come to the next CCRD meeting.

13th - CCRD PUBLIC MEETING: (Only Ms. MacKay and Chair Lande present)
A neighbor and I attend to object to the decision to the work. We were told CCRD doesn't save homes anymore. I reminded Mr. Lande of a home currently being rescued by CCRD at Walker Island. They had no response. I asked Mr. Lande if any consideration was given to the fish, road and community by leaving a volatile river running into a healthy roadside creek. Mr. Lande said he'll see what they can do.

During Christmas week, Paul Doyle returned for more data. He and the same players (DFO, MoE & CCRD) were on site numerous times to discuss options. Most frequent topic being the best way to close off the new channel.

2008
January
1st wk:  Mr. Waugh received Doyle's final report.
7th - I email Mr. Waugh for any update. He replied: "..I received a draft report from Paul outlining various options. I'll be better prepared to comment on these after a quick review of the overall considerations."
15th- I email Mr. Waugh for update. No response.
24th- I email Mr. Waugh for update. No response.
25th - DFO test worksite area for adolescent fish fry.

January 30th - Mr. Waugh created Saloompt Risk Assessment Report. In it, he altered Doyle's recommendations from 'Temporary Dike' to 'Abandon the Property'. (attached - 1 report excerpts)  

Mr. Waugh's justifications for abandoning the house are also based on inaccurate information. He sites the septic tank on the wrong side of the property, among other errors that I would be happy to go over.

Later that day, Mr. Waugh emailed to warn of heavy rain. ( His last weather advisory)

February
4th  - Mr. Waugh delivered a letter from CCRD. In it Mr. Waugh stated CCRD decided to "encourage the Province..to purchase the property". (attached - 2 letter)

Mr. Waugh delivered it along with the Risk Assessment and Doyle's report. I was away so my partner, Mr. Ginsburg, spoke with him. When asked what we should do next, who we should contact, or where we might find out, Mr. Waugh was unable to say and left soon afterwards.  Mr. Ginsburg called CCRD. Ms. MacKay couldn't offer any suggestions. Mr. Ginsburg offered to research it and get back to her. After phone few calls, (once being laughed at), Mr. Ginsburg learned that the Province will not purchase private properties and he was to relay that there is no such option in BC. He informed Ms. MacKay.

7th - Current Coast Mountain News article by Mr. Waugh contained: "Provincial and federal fisheries agencies are currently reviewing our application to construct a temporary diversion in the upper Saloompt."

8th - I returned home and learned of the letter / reports. I called and set up a meeting with Ms. MacKay.

10th- During an encounter with DFO, I was told that the results regarding the presence of adolesent fish were negative and that from DFO's standpoint, everything looked fine with emergency permits.

12th - Mr. Waugh's January EPC Monthly REport stated costly materials were required thus making the project infeasible. Doyle's report stated otherwise. (attached -3 report excerpts)

Private Meeting: w/ Ms. MacKay, Chair Lande. Before we started, I asked for Mr. Waugh to join us. I disclosed his threat of taking our house in December, and to be fair to him, wanted Mr. Waugh present. He was not in the building. Ms. MacKay and Chair Lande had nothing to say. The matter was dropped.

I asked what had become of the project. Mrs. MacKay told me that planning ended because 'there were fish fry in the water'. I told her of my discussion with DFO and knew that not to be true.

I informed her of the discrepencies between the two reports. Ms. MacKay said she hadn't read them, but was sure they had the same conclusions. I asked her to look at the report conclusions or call Mr. Doyle to confirm his recommendations.

Ms. MacKay ended the meeting by offering us gabion cages for the yard. Beyond that, the CCRD board would inform me of it's decisions at the next pubic meeting. We accepted the gabion cages, thanked them and left.

13th - I emailed Ted Fuller (MoE) who visited in November and knew the situation here. His position had been taken over by Craig Beeson, Public Safety and Protection Section Head of Water Stewardship Division, MoE. Mr. Beeson investigated and forwarded my situation on to Dwyane Meredith of Emergency Management, BC.

14th - CCRD PUBLIC MEETING: Roughly a dozen Saloompt residents attended. CCRD invited a policeman. Chair Lande made it clear that no discussions of Saloompt would be allowed. But he would let me speak if I'd be brief.  

I asked if Ms. MacKay spoke with Mr. Doyle or looked at the reports. She said she had not. I said we'd like to proceed with her offer of gabion cages.  Ms. MacKay replied "It's not appropriate to discuss this now. As you know we have a meeting on Tuesday and we can go over all this then." I assure you there was no such meeting scheduled, but Ms. MacKay looked clearly embarressed. So I thanked her and the board sat down.

Craig Beeson emailed to suggest I propose to MoT to contribute to the project. I emailed a plea for MoT to reconsider project cost sharing on 2/17/08. MoT declined (2/18).

15th -I called and met with Chair Lande at CCRD. We agreed that he and Director Kevin O'Neil would visit the following day to see what alternatives there were. During the meeting, Ms. MacKay arrived late and was generally disruptive.

By the end of the week, more than a dozen copies of both Saloompt reports were bought by area homeowners.

16th - (Saturday) Chair Lande & Director O'Neil met at my property. Before too long, we reached an agreeable compromise. The 'temporary dike' aspect postponed until funding becomes available. Yard protection emphasized. I was told by Director O'Neil to put everything in writing and submit the request to CCRD.

19th -I submitted the directors agreement to the CCRD office as per directors' request.( attached -5 letter)

20th- During an encounter with Mr. Waugh, he refused to acknowledge the submitted request. Instead I was told to wait until his Saloompt public meeting and was handed a flyer. ( attached -6 flyer)

I asked about progress on the gabion cages but was told 'nothing yet, I'll get back to you'.

Later I asked Mr. Lande about Feb.16 agreement and he told me that CCRD wasn't taking on smaller projects and what I submitted required lengthy permits. Over the next two days I met with MoE to start the application process.

21st - Mr. Waugh wrote MoE and DFO an email regarding my request for gabion cages. Both ministries were told to wait until the request comes from him. (attached - 7 email)

I email Gary Coons, MLA with a brief history and current fustration with CCRD.

26th -Over 50 attend CCRD/Saloompt public meeting at the Legion Hall. (monthly meetings typically start in the morning and are unattended by the public) General mood in was not favorable to the reversal of work. The meeting unravelled as people grew agitated from unanswered questions. (attached -8 article)

After the meeting I asked DFO about any progress on gabion cages, but was told to go through CCRD.

27th - A neighbor invited me to join five others to discuss an emergency flood plan. Residents organize a neighborhood river group. Saloompt River Management Association (SRMA) was formed shortly thereafter. Current Chairman, Phil Sheppard. Current membership, 40 plus. Incorporated June 08.

Later that week, residents delivered a petition drive to "Plug the Dike" to the CCRD office. The petition included over seventy signatures.

March
CCRD agrees to minor river work. Mr. Doyle met onsite with same players (CCRD,DFO,MoE) to plan reshaping the south corner of the old channel and debris removal. I confirmed with everyone that complete closure is optimum, but at a later date. It was unanimous.

5th -PRIVATE MEETING AT LEGION: SRMA directors met with CCRD, DFO, and MoE to open communications, to clarify positions and to discuss common objectives. During the meeting, Mr. Waugh committed CCRD to pursue further mitigation funding for Saloompt. (attached - 9 minutes excerpts, article)

After the meeting, DFO stated that if 'we wanted to be in there by July, we'll have to start the  paperwork by the end of the month'. Later, when asked about DFO's statement, Mr. Waugh replied to wait until he hears more about funding and that he'd let me know.

6th to 9th - Workmen open up original river channel and reshape corner.

17th -  North Saloompt Road is raised 3 meters around my property. The new work creates a bowl effect that keeps higher amounts of water at the base of the house.

April
18th - DFO onsite to consider re-working temporary dike using area material as a lower cost solution (down cedar trees, etc.) Original concept from final Doyle report. My contractor estimated two days work at most.

June
SRMA documented the effects the new Saloompt channel caused creeks, fish habitat, roads and residences. Phil Sheppard, now chairman of SRMA compiled the findings into a power point presentation and demonstrated it at various public and private places into July.

12 - CCRD Monthly Meeting: Chairman of SRMA delivered his presentation and emphasized river trouble-spots to start a dialogue with Mr. Waugh. Mr Waugh wasn't present. Director O'Neil assured the gallery that more funding was forthcoming.

24th -During a phone conversation Mr. Waugh told me that he wouldn't apply for mitigation funding for this area and the Saloompt project is now considered over.

26th - I asked Mr. Waugh for gabion cages to line the yard. He replied he'd "make some enquiries and let you know in the near future (email). I didn't hear back.

July
Although not advertised as such, the CCRD meeting was held in Ocean Falls: boat access only.
Items discussed: current and future mitigation funding. Unable to attend. (attached -8 community calander)
Multi-year mitigation funding applications were submitted for five flood prone areas. The Saloompt River was not among them.

10th - CCRD's article in the Coast Mountain Newspaper indicates a 'Phase Two' for 'Saloompt River Drainage' funding applications are in the works. The article contradicts the funding status and reads as though Mr. Waugh was present. (attached - 10 article)

12th - I followed up June's request with a meeting regarding gabion cages (email). It wasn't answered.

18th - We hosted a meeting for Gary Coons MLA, Nathan Cullen MP, Phil Sheppard (Chair, SRMA), Randy Brook (Director, SRMA)  and the previous homeowner to present our situation and ask if a last ditch effort is possible to protect the neighborhood before the next rainy season. Mr. Cullen tried to assist by contacting ministries on our behalf, though there was no simple solution and salmon season was upon us.

19th - During an encounter with Director O'Neill, I asked if I could pick up some gabion cages. They are being stored at the dump and people take them as needed. Mr. O'Neil directed me to ask Mr. Waugh, adding he should be more receptive after the MP & MBL encounter.

A few days later, We made arrangements to meet at CCRD to discuss obtaining cages. I asked Director Christine Hyde if she would mind being present. She agreed, but Ms. MacKay told her not to come.

23rd - Meeting RE: Gabion Cages. Present: Mr. Lande, Ms. MacKay, Mr. Waugh.

Mr. Waugh asked how many cages I needed. None of us knew the size/shape. I offered to measure & report back.

Mr. Waugh repeated the stance that all Saloompt river work has ended and cited a new Doyle report stating as such. I asked to see the document but was denied.

When asked about Saloompt mitigation funding stories that are still appearing in newspaper, Ms. MacKay was unable to answer why it appeared or who wrote it.

Before we ended, Ms. MacKay informed me that there is a good chance I won't be getting any cages. It was recommended to the board that these cages be used for multiple residences only.  I was told to attend the next CCRD meeting to find out about the new policy.

Later I spoke to a SRMA director. She asked me to write up the meeting events and my recommendations and send it to SRMA. She also informed me of the Ombudsman service.

30th- CCRD Public Meeting - Ms. MacKay & Mr. Waugh recommended that gabion cage policy be restricted to municipal or multiple residence use only. Director O'Neil asked for my input. I said that the road surrounding my house has been raised 3 meters and it will result in a likely flood for my home. I concluded that if the policy is intended for multiple homeowners only, I understood.

Director O'Neil asked why I needed cages since March's river work. I briefly explained the work exposed a 90 degree side channel, but the river remains directed at my house and the road.

Mr. O'Neil prompted Mr. Waugh to concede and the board granted me cages for our yard. Ms. MacKay instructed me to estimate the amount and arrange the pick-up with Mr. Waugh.

 - The questions asked by some of the directors told me that they hadn't been given accurate information. I thought before pursuing the Ombudsman, I'd present the facts and broken commitments to the board. (No meeting in August, so scheduled for September).

August
DFO & MoE walked the new channel of Saloompt River (Croft Creek) and formally established it as the new river course.

-The impact of DFO's decision makes any change to the course of the river, a multi-year project and makes it virtually impossible for a homeowner or group to amass the biologists, data collectors and review boards required to undertake themselves.

SRMA was informed that CCRD 'will not include any Saloompt River projects for further funding as the DFO/MoE assessments are too lengthy for existing available funding'.

September
11th - CCRD Meeting - Joining me was a SRMA director and five members.

Mr. Waugh announced that due to 2009 budget cut-backs, there wasn't anymore mitigation funding for small towns in the foreseeable future.

Each CCRD director got a copy of my presentation as I gave a brief history to the board and reminded them of Mr. Waugh's commitment to the area during March's SRMA meeting. I asked for the board to consider a lower cost earth and log barrier in time for the fall rains. And that, according to the contractor, it could be done at low cost and in two days.

My presentation and the meeting ended abruptly as Mr. Waugh and Ms. MacKay raised their voices to shouting levels with declarations such as 'It's Finished! - DONE!-OVER!" from across the room. I maintained composure and waited for order.

As we left the building, the SRMA director, Kelly Nattress, delivered a letter to Mrs. Waugh, receptionist, addressed to the CCRD directors in reference to arranging a future SRMA meeting.

12th - I spoke with Director O'Neil. I was told that he and Chair Lande wanted to see if something could be done. They preferred to 'keep this in the valley' and I agreed. Mr. O'Neil said he contacted DFO to see if any river work could be done quickly, but nothing could be done by fall.

 - During this time, the local election was gearing up. I recommended SRMA support the CCRD directors as they were finally aware and seemed willing to help.

October
7th - I called PEP to asked if mitigation funding for small towns, but was referred to Mr. Meredith of EM, BC. I faxed Mr. Meredith my question. He phoned back and informed me of a funding program that 'looked appropriate for a multi year project' such as ours.

 9th - CCRD monthly meeting - Following protocol, I asked to follow-up to last month's presentation and to announce the good news of EM's mitigation funding program in 2009.

Afterwards, Mr. Waugh announced the 2009 mitigation policy required small towns to finance one third of the projects themselves. Mr. Lande stated that "if that's true, that's a deal-breaker".

After the meeting, I ran into Mr. Waugh. I said I hoped we could start over and put last year behind us. Mr. Waugh became angry and drove off.

I faxed Mr. Meredith to ask about the one-third gap in funding. He phoned back to say 'it's UP to a third, and that the portion can be made up in kind, such as volunteering, donating,' etc.

October 10th - I spoke to Mr. O'Neil to clarify the 2009 mitigation guidelines. I also informed him of a grant writer (formally of CCRD) who is willing to work with us.

Over the next week, I met with DFO and MoE. After new information, both ministries reconsidered the idea of shutting off the channel and agreed to be involved on the condition that CCRD plays a central role.

30th - Coast Mountain Newspaper - All CCRD directors declare mitigation funding part of their election campaign.

November
I met DFO to follow up meeting arrangements. I suggested an after-hours school room. He hoped to meet in town during work hours and suggested CCRD.

12th - As per Mr. On'Neils' request, I called Mr. Waugh to arrange the application meeting. Mr. Waugh said preferred making arrangements during tomorrow's CCRD meeting recess.

I also asked if he could bring sandbags. The weekend forecast was calling for heavy rain. Mr. Waugh asked how many and said he'd look into it.

13th - CCRD Meeting: During CCRD lunch break, Mr. Waugh and I started to arrange the funding meeting. I relayed DFO's thought of using a room at CCRD and I asked if it would be convenient. Mr. Waugh left to ask Ms. MacKay. We all soon learned that Ms. MacKay and Mr. Waugh were confusing this with SRMA's meeting request two months prior. They became angry. I asked if we could discuss this with Director O'Neil, who was still sitting in the next room but I was told to leave. Ms. MacKay said to return after lunch and wait for instruction from Chair Lande. Ms. MacKay and Mr. Waugh met with the board as I left. After re-convening from lunch, Chair Lande formally called on me. He said that:

1)  All future communication with Mr. Waugh will be in writing, including the recent sandbag request.
2) If CCRD were to apply for funding, it would require a written request from SRMA stating upper Saloompt as a priority. SRMA would need to commit itself as the proponent.

Ms. MacKay also added I was to contact Mr. Meredith to ask when the 2009 funding cut-off date is.

When given the opportunity, I explained the SRMA / grant meeting confusion. It was emphasized that I was to work closer with SRMA. I agreed to everything, thanked them and left. (- By this time, the threat of election challenges to any board member was over)

14th - I went to the CCRD to confirm the request of contacting of Emergency Management. It just didn't sound right. Ms. MacKay confirmed but soon became argumentative. I left.

16th - Heavy Rain for two days.
Roughly 8:15am I called Chair Lande and said we're due for another 24 hours of rain and asked how should I go about getting sandbags. He told me to call Mr. Waugh.

Roughly 8:20am I called over and Mrs. Waugh answered the phone. I asked if he was available. She asked who was calling. I gave my name and was swiftly told 'Steve is unavailable'. I asked if he'd return my call when he was. I called back to Mr. Lande and who said he would call Mr. Waugh.

At a little after 9am, Mr. Lande arrived. While we were waiting for Mr. Waugh to arrive with sandbags, I asked Mr. Lande if he had any suggestions to help my working relationship with Mr. Waugh. Mr. Lande offered no response. Mr. Waugh arrived and sarcastically stated "THIS is the emergency?" I told him I never called it an emergency to anyone and that I'd expected to drive to his house to get sandbags, as I did last year.

He soon began counting the gabion cages and asked me about the amount. I explained the driver's honest mistake of picking up what was left for him by the landfill manager. I also explained that the cages still leave a gap into my yard and knowing better than to ask for more cages, I could make do with sandbags instead. Once he saw there were more cages than he 'released', Mr. Waugh appeared angry and took pictures of the cages.

Afterwards, he continued his manner as he made his way around the property. (Such as asking "Is this your car?" "Is this your dog?" "Is this your cabin" in a threatening manner as if he could just as easily take it away.

I asked if they wanted to view 200m upstream (worksite). It would be Mr. Waugh's first visit since before last March's river work. They agreed and I esorted  them. The river was high. Mr. Waugh took pictures.

Before they left, Mr. Waugh told me that 'a change is coming in sandbag policy'.

25th - SRMA sends CCRD the proponent letter in support.

27th - I asked CCRD to clarify discrepancies regarding my participation in the November meeting minutes (email). Ms. MacKay did not comment.

December
10th - Ms. MacKay emailed SRMA Chairman and refused SRMA's request to act as a proponent.
Also, the terms for 'any future meeting can not include matters pertaining to the Hermance property'.
( attached -11 email supplied by SRMA)

11th - CCRD Board Meeting: A new emergency management policy was announced. Under the new policy, CCRD "flood mitigation efforts are not intended for protection of private property."

2009
January
2nd - I received a hand delivered letter from CCRD's attorney. The letter restricts all communication with CCRD to written form only. I am to direct any/all questions to Ms. MacKay. A copy was sent to Bella Coola R.C.M.P. - Cpl. W. Wallace. (attached- 12 written directive)

6th - I submitted my response to CCRD's letter. (attached - 13)

I also faxed Gary Coons, MLA to intervene.

March
10th - I emailed Ms. MacKay to request a copy of Mr. Waugh's Emergency Report regarding the sandbag incident. My request was denied.

11th - I emailed Ms. MacKay to file an appeal, or ask to remove the communications directive from my file.

18th - After no response, I emailed again regarding the appeal.

I also asked who to call in an emergency. Ms. MacKay wrote and suggested I call the RCMP dispatch. I wrote once more about the appeal. To date, I have not heard back.

24th - present - Mr. Coons has been receptive and has reached out to his colleagues, but my situation is unchanged. I haven't spoken to anyone at CCRD since December 2008. I have not attended any meetings. My only communication has been through email with Ms. MacKay.

Final notes:
Saloompt River is the only river in the Bella Coola valley that has no permanent protective structure.

I didn't include emails, but all are available. If more research is needed, please note that the name Saloompt has atleast three common spellings. Salloompt (two L's), and Saloomt (no 'P') are almost as common. The use of a single 'o' isn't uncommon.

About me: I have a social service background. I don't curse and am even spoken. I've recently become a director of SRMA. My task over the past year has been attending and reporting on CCRD monthly meetings.
My partner and I are landed immigrants and local business owners. We plan on becoming citizens when eligible.