COLUMBIA SHUSWAP REGIONAL DISTRICT PO Box 978, 555 Harbourfront Drive NE, Arm, BC V1E 4P1 T: 250.832.8194 | F: 250.832.3375 | TF: 1.888.248.2773 | www.csrd.bc.ca

March 19, 2020

VIA EMAIL: [email protected]

Little Shuswap Lake Band Attn: Kukpi7 Oliver Arnouse and Council 1886 Rd Chase, BC V0E 1M2

Dear Kukpi7 Arnouse:

Re: Columbia Shuswap Regional District Support for Proposed East Access Road from Sun Peaks to the Trans Canada Highway at Squilax

We are writing to express our great interest in the development of this new connection between the Trans Canada Highway at Squilax and Sun Peaks Resort, creating an eastern access point. We support this initiative for the following reasons:

 The eastern route will provide a critical escape route for the residents and visitors at the resort in the event of a major wildfire. Currently, only rough, indirect roads are in place and depending on forestry activity in the area may only be suitable for 4-wheel drive vehicles. We understand this is of high importance to the Municipality of Sun Peaks.  Both the North and South Shuswap are significant recreation areas in their own right and we know that our tourism and economic development will be greatly enhanced by creating effective cross marketing initiatives with the Village of Sun Peaks.  Sun Peaks will benefit from this connection as the North and South Shuswap can provide nearby accommodation and tourism-related services options for the activities in Sun Peaks and the surrounding recreation area.  The Shuswap Lakes area will provide spring through fall lakeside opportunities for those choosing their accommodation in Sun Peaks.  The Little Shuswap Lake Band has a large golf and resort development that is within easy reach of Sun Peaks (approximately 25-minute drive) to provide reciprocal summer and winter recreation and accommodation opportunities, enhancing each.  Wise design and location of the East Access Road will create opportunities for tourism-related development for Little Shuswap Lake and potentially and Neskonlith Indian Bands.  This initiative represents an excellent opportunity for the Columbia Shuswap Regional District and the Little Shuswap Lake Band to cooperate on joint projects, thus enhancing Government to Government ties, and further cooperative ventures well into the future.

We fully support the East Access Road to Sun Peaks and building closer ties between Sun Peaks, the Little Shuswap Lake Band and the Columbia Shuswap Regional District.

ELECTORAL AREAS MUNICIPALITIES A GOLDEN-COLUMBIA C SOUTH SHUSWAP E -MALAKWA GOLDEN B REVELSTOKE-COLUMBIA D FALKLAND-SALMON VALLEY F NORTH SHUSWAP-SEYMOUR ARM REVELSTOKE SICAMOUS

Yours truly, COLUMBIA SHUSWAP REGIONAL DISTRICT Per:

______Kevin Flynn Chair

cc: Al Raine, Mayor of Sun Peaks Resort Municipality