BAMFIELD COMMUNITY AFFAIRS SOCIETY

General Meeting Unofficial Minutes

 Monday 21 September  2026 at 18.30
via Zoom - hosted by Jamie Willock

Attendees (33): James Willock (Chair), Julie Bradley, John and Sheryl Mass, Tom Jensen, Jan Teversham, Barry Sills, Birgit Gagne, Ben West, Christine Gruman, Jane Morrison, Stacy Denton, Betty Beyko, Reid Yokim, Kai Watkins, Rich Palmer, Greg Willmon, Alison and Paul Bird, JM Ledet, Max Salamon, Stella Wenstob, Bob Beckett, Jerry Gassner, Jamie Gilkison, Danny Burgi, Stefan Ochman, Tori Johnson, Robbie McKay, Laura Bradley , Jane Morrison, Tom Campbell, Ashley Klyne

Regrets: Abi Andiel, Susan Derasp

Guest: Kaitlin Murphy, Firesmart ACRD

The meeting was called to order at 18.32

Acknowledgement of Indigenous Lands: The BCAS acknowledges that the land on which we meet is within the traditional territory of the Huu-ay-aht First Nations where indigenous peoples have lived since time immemorial.

The last minutes were accepted m/BWest s/BSills

ACRD DIRECTOR’S REPORT- Bob Beckett

1. Provincial Regional and municipal elections October 17^th

Just a reminder that Oct. 17^th is our local election for Bamfield’s and area A – ACRD Director. Thanks to Max and Stefan for putting their names forward.

2. Bamfield Public Hearing

The ACRD planning staff are holding a Bamfield Public meeting Thursday September 24^th at 7:00pm regarding the Tom Lucas proposed rezoning application. This is an opportunity to hear from the applicant and or his agent regarding the proposed project, as well as receive questions and comments from the community.

Emails and inquiries from the community regarding this project, received by the ACRD planning staff have been passed on to the applicant so that they may address these questions, comments, and concerns at Thursday’s meeting.

The ACRD has been conducting public meetings in a hybrid format since 2021 using Zoom Webinar. The hybrid format improves accessibility in allowing non-resident property owners to participate .

The hearings are livestreamed and archived on the ACRD YouTube page and can be watched latter if anyone misses the meeting.

The comments and questions from the community following public hearing are recorded and form part of the report and recommendations going to the ACRD Board for their consideration.

Public participants must register for the virtual Zoom Webinar by going to the ACRD website. If anyone is seeking assistance in connecting to the meeting, they can reach out to the planning staff at planning@acrd.bc.ca and 250-720-2700

3. Thank you

I wish to thank the community for your civil discourse on this matter in the form of social media, phone calls, and emails that I have received to date.

Stacy asked Bob a question about TUP- Temporary Use Permits for the new Huu-ay-aht Group of Businesses Campground and the response from ACRD about the emails she had sent. Bob said he would look into it.

• Chequing          $14,324.09
• Savings              $28,457.62
• Member Equity         $5.21
• Total Assets     $ 42,786.92

The GIA deposit of $10,000 arrived over the summer. Interested 12.08.

  PRESENTATION: Kaitlin Murphy ACRD: Fire Smart

Please see the attached slide presentation

Questions:

Stella asked if the process was a first assessment, then complete the work suggested, then a second assessment and finally apply for a rebate. The answer was yes and the rebate must be claimed within 2 years of the first assessment.

Jamie wondered how many assessments could be completed in one day. The answer was that Braden- Kaitlin’s colleague - could come once a week and so if several residents in the same area wanted assessments done that would be efficient.

Jamie also suggested that Kaitlin return in the spring just before fire season began and she will be happy to do that.

He commented that it was a good idea that residents could do the work themselves and be reimbursed at the rate of $25/hour or hire professionals and send with clear invoices for the rebate.

COMMUNITY REPORTS

Bamfield Community School - Julie Bradley

• The school is very full as 10 new students arrived who were unexpected and now the school has 50 children.
• There is a Community Lunch this Wednesday 23rd.

Bamfield Fire Dept - Reid Yokim.

• The summer was busy with 23 calls between July 1 and Sept 7. These were mainly for first responders. This number will meet or exceed last years’ calls.
• Intertidal Golf and the Salmon Derby were successfully held.
• In June 4 new first responders took a week’s training in North Vancouver.
• Six or seven new recruits have committed to join the fire department in October.

Bamfield Centennial Park - Sheryl Mass

• It was really busy this summer. The boat ramp use was doubled from the previous year as people are now driving their boats down the paved road to launch in Grappler.
• The trailers all need to park in the designated trailer parking lot and not along the road where they can cause problems.
• The showers are closed down and will be gutted this week and rebuilt with tiled walls. All the work will be done by local people and it will be paid for by Centennial Park funds.

Stella

1. Commented that she liked the new placement of the Stop sign at the bottom of Tower Rd and the addition of the No Parking sign as this was a place people were illegally parking all summer.
2.  Commented on the fact the white line on the ramp had all but disappeared. Sheryl said she is looking for a paint that would be permanent as dividing the ramp had proved to be a good idea put forward by Dylan Richards. .
3. Asked how the fundraiser for Centennial Park went. Sheryl has no idea who organized it and why – she said the Park board had not been informed.  Stacy responded that Irene Altorf and Kimmie MCDonald will know more about it as it was connected to the Arrowsmith Baptist Church that is holding meetings here now.

Bamfield Harbour Authority - Tom Jensen 

• It was a very busy summer but all locals and local businesses had the moorage they required.
• The planned subdivision of Lucas’s property would have a big impact on local needs but it is possible to add a bit more moorage if necessary.

Bob Beckett commented that it would be very helpful to have data re: the moorage and Tom said he would send that to him.

BCSA - Christine Gruman

• From 6 – 7 PM on Truth and Reconciliation Day, September 30 th, there will be a gathering at the School to hear Ben Clappis share his “Reconciliation Story of a Survivor.” All are welcome./
• The fundraiser Oysters Authors and Ales will be on October 3^rd at the Rix Centre. Ticket Info will be posted.

BH Community Forest Society  -  Stefan Ochman

• The observation platform along the Majestic Old Growth Trail will be completed on Sunday Sept 27 and he is looking for people to volunteer their time to help with this at a work-bee from 10 AM onwards.

ATN Update

Jamie explained that we were starting to move ahead with the Active Transportation Network (ATN) plan that was initiated by a grant in 2022 to establish community kayak/canoe docks at the foot of Westminister and Nuthatch. This is to encourage self-powered transportation. Racks will be built so that kayaks and canoes can be stored on them. There will also be space for small tin boats to tie up short term to facilitate cross inlet visits. Several permits are required, funding is needed and support  from the ACRD is essential but we have started the process.

NEXT MEETING

The next meeting will be on Monday 19 October 2026

Meeting Adjourned at 19.32