LYTTON FIRST NATION- Nuuautin IR 2B Subdivision
Welcome
Welcome to the project website for the Lytton First Nation Nuuautin IR 2B Subdivision Project.
As part of the recovery efforts following the Lytton Creek Wildfire, 39 temporary modular homes were constructed on Inkluckcheen IR 21 and Nuuautin IR 2 in 2022, along with a new community centre and band office.
Additional homes are still needed, and it is a significant priority for Lytton First Nation (LFN) to build more homes for community members that are still without housing. Therefore, LFN has contracted Aplin Martin to design a 56-lot subdivision, with 28 funded homes to be completed fall 2026 that will be located at Nuuautin IR 2B. The Federal government is funding this project through Indigenous Services Canada Community Initiatives.
The location of the subdivision was selected by LFN based on an initial feasibility study, consistency with LFN land use plans, and the comparative lack of archaeological concerns.
The Stein Water System is being upgraded to support this project. Please see the Stein Water System Improvement Project page for more information: https://www.aplinmartin.com/lfnwatersystem.
Subject Site
The subject site (6.6 hectares) is located within Lytton First Nation Nuuautin IR 2B. The development will be nestled on top of a bluff east of Highway 12. Access to the subdivision will be via Alkali Road, which is accessed via Lytton Lillooet Highway.
To ensure safe and reliable access to the proposed development site, Alkali Road will receive a full upgrade to align with the Ministry of Transportation and Transit (MOTT). This includes full width asphalt surfacing, gravel shoulders, and drainage provisions. Additionally, new access to Akali Road will be created off Highway 12 and Alkali Road will be re-aligned to create a new intersection with St. George Road. The existing Alkali Road access will be retained for 1502 Alkali Road. To note, during construction Green Meadows Road will be available for residents living above the site to use.
Project Summary
The Subdivision site will require connection to several essential systems before people can move into the homes. That work includes connection to the existing water system, on-site sanitary treatment, and stormwater drainage infrastructure. The homes will be constructed to include fire smart design safety features, and the properties will have fencing around each lot for resident safety, and snake protection.
The development will help displaced members regain long term housing certainty and contribute towards the long-term goals of the Lytton First Nation. Aplin Martin is providing Civil Engineering, Community Engagement, and Environmental services, as well as coordinating Surveyors, and Geotechnical consultants, and Sewerage Design consultants.
Archaeological and environmental considerations are also critical for the project’s success. A comprehensive archaeological survey of the project site will be completed prior to construction, and a continuous archaeological review will take place throughout the construction period. The environmental assessment, which was completed in February 2024, included documentation of the natural habitat, wildlife, vegetation, and species at risk. Pre-clearing active bird nest surveys were also completed. The area is home to western rattlesnake and dens have been found nearby. Specific mitigation measures for the protection of western rattlesnake were included in the assessment and a Species at Risk report is being submitted
To better service the community, including the Nuuautin IR 2B development, the Stein Water Distribution System will also be receiving an upgrade. The Stein Water Distribution System provides water for a significant portion of LFN reserve land. The water system draws water from the Stein River, treats this water, and delivers it across a vast area of LFN reserves on the west and east sides of the Fraser River. The upgrades will include a new water reservoir near the Nuuautin IR 2B subdivision, a connection to the proposed development, a tie-in to the existing system, upgrades to the existing pump stations, and upgrades to the existing water treatment system. This upgrade will increase the reliability of the existing system ensuring long term sustainability and community safety. A webpage for the project is available at the following link: www.aplinmartin.com/lfnwatersystem.
project timeline
A detailed copy of the Project Timeline can be found in the Presentation Boards on this webpage.
Project Team
Feasibility: Urban Systems
Subdivision Design, Environmental Assessment and Public Consultation: Aplin & Martin Consultants Ltd.
Other Design Phase Consultants: Oland Engineering, Allnorth Consultants, Fathom Scientific, Urban Systems, Triton Environmental Consultants
Modular Homes: Blue Collar Modular Housing, ROC Modular, Paradigm
LFN Archaeological Monitor: Sheresa Brown
LFN Project Manager: Lyle Leo
LFN Council Portfolio: Jason Robertson
Financing: Indigenous Services Canada
YOUR FEEDBACK
We highly value every voice and contribution to the project’s development. Your participation is important. There are multiple ways and opportunities to contribute and stay informed, including:
Open Houses (Another Open House will be held at a later stage in the project)
LFN community newsletter updates
This website
LFN Facebook page
Email: OpenHouse@AplinMartin.com
Information Kiosk (Installed at the entrance of Alkali Road)
A community open house took place on March 21st, 2024, at Battlefield Community Centre, from 1:30 to 3:30PM. Attendees had the opportunity to learn more about the project, ask questions, and provide feedback on the preliminary design concept. The opportunity to provide feedback took place between March 21st and April 4th, 2024. Following the comment period, the project team utilized the community feedback that was received to finalize the project design. A few months later, another open house was held on September 26th at the Battlefield Community Centre where the project team shared the updated design with attendees.
An Open House was held on February 27th, 2025, from 2:30-5:30pm to update the community on the project’s progress. Attendees had the opportunity to learn more about the project’s progress and ask questions about next steps.
Thank you to everyone who has shared thoughts, comments, and questions regarding the proposed application. Your insights have been shared with the Lytton First Nation in the Public Information Meeting summary and have been used to inform the application's next steps. All community engagement sessions are held to gather valuable feedback with a commitment to prioritizing community voices, respecting cultural significance, and honouring traditional practices. Following all events, we share how the feedback influenced the project.
The opportunity to provide feedback on the Preliminary Subdivision Design has passed, however, you may provide general feedback and ask questions at any time during the project.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is happening?
In the wake of the 2021 Lytton Creek Wildfire, numerous homes belonging to Lytton First Nation (LFN) members were lost in the Village of Lytton. Amidst the uncertainty surrounding housing in the Village of Lytton, 28 member households have communicated their desire to relocate back to the LFN community. LFN, Indigenous Services Canada (ISC), and Aplin Martin are collaborating on development of a 56-lot subdivision with 28-funded homes to be built this coming winter for families that lost their homes in the fire. Improvements will also be made to the Stein Water System, to ensure the system has capacity to serve the new subdivision. Please see the Stein Water System Improvement Project webpage for more information: https://www.aplinmartin.com/lfnwatersystem.
What is being proposed?
Nuuautin IR 2B is undergoing the significant development of a 56-lot subdivision with 28-funded homes to be built this coming winter with the goal to create a sustainable community in Nuuautin IR 2B. The proposed project encompasses essential works such as a connection to the existing water system, on-site sanitary treatment, and drainage infrastructure. Safety features include fire-smart design, with each lot fenced for privacy.
How many units are proposed?
A development of a 56-lot subdivision with 28-funded homes.
How was the site selected?
The location of the subdivision was selected by LFN based on an initial feasibility study, consistency with LFN land use plans, and the apparent lack of archeological concerns. This project originates from a previous community engagement and community approval of 2006. This area was known as East Fraser Subdivision (99-unit subdivision), referenced in the LFN land use plan (2016), also in every CCP, since starting CCP work.
Will this project create employment opportunities?
There will be a need for increased capacity/workers and equipment for the new subdivision in the Housing Department and Operations & Maintenance Department. The employee opportunities will be posted when we are closer to completion. To learn about possible work opportunities, please reach out to Leonora Thomas by email at Leonora.thomas@lfn.band or by phone at (250) 455-2304.
What is the expected timeline for completion?
Targeted completion date is fall 2026.
Q&A – Nuuautin IR 2B Subdivision Open House
My biggest concern is will we have enough water to sufficiently supply all homes? We already are short of water.
Ensuring an adequate water supply for all homes, as well as an emergency and fire storage supply, is crucial. The upgrades planned for the Stein Water System, including a new intake, reservoir, and system improvements, aim to address these challenges by increasing capacity and reliability. The water system upgrades are designed to accommodate the 20-year forecasted on-reserve population and fire suppression capacity; therefore, the upgrades are planned to provide capacity for the next 20-years at a minimum, based on the current rate of on-reserve population growth. The upgrades, ongoing monitoring and management of water resources will be essential to sustainably manage the supply over the long term. The Lytton First Nation Operations & Maintenance Manager and Housing Department Manager are directly involved with the water system improvement design planning.
What if, there's lower water system, because of more homes?
Ensuring an adequate water supply for all homes, as well as an emergency and fire storage supply, is crucial. The upgrades planned for the Stein Water System, including a new intake, reservoir, and system improvements, aim to address these challenges by increasing capacity and reliability. The water system upgrades are designed to accommodate the 20-year forecasted on-reserve population; therefore, the upgrades are planned to provide capacity for the next 20-years at a minimum, based on the current rate of on-reserve population growth. Following the upgrades, ongoing monitoring and management of water resources will be essential to sustainably manage the supply over the long term. Concurrent with the Stein Water System improvement design there is funding discussions with Indigenous Services Canada to start hydrologic review and water licensing on the Stein River to assess the amount of annual water flow to sustain an increase for Lytton First Nation water license.
Is there not enough money for regular built homes, other than modular homes?
The planning with the federal government for the one-time offer to fund 28-homes for those that lost their home or rental unit in the Village of Lytton 2021 wildfire was for a mix of stick builds and modular homes but with the timing for the government to provide funding we are now going on 3-years and those that need a home are still living elsewhere so the plan changed to modular homes to complete home installs sooner than it would take to do stick builds. Modular home building quality has improved in the last 20-years and the fire-resistant building materials used are high quality. Funding has now been approved by the Federal government for modular homes.
How big is the property?
The subdivision area is 6.62 ha in size, and the lot sizes range between approx. 11,876.74 square feet (1,110 sq. m) and 17,286.40 square feet (1,600 sq. m).
Can you build a workshop on the property? Can you put a bigger deck, if you ask?
These homes will fall under the Lytton First Nation Housing Policy. They are rental homes and not homes for purchase to be privately owned. The subdivision is being built with fire smart build back better that have the best fire-resistant materials. Any additions to the homes or out-buildings will follow the Housing Policy. Each home will have a septic system and field which cannot have traffic vehicles or out-buildings on those areas.
How will the design support a sustainable system that lasts longer than 10 years?
The proposed water system upgrades are designed to meet the needs of LFN’s growing community over the next 20 years. We've also factored in various potential risks like fire hazards, environmental impacts, and internal system challenges to ensure long term sustainability. While we're still finalizing the design details, sustainability measures are a key focus for us. Once the design is complete, we'll be able to provide more specific information on the sustainability features we're incorporating. For now, know that we're dedicated to creating a system that not only meets current needs but also stands the test of time.
How much training needs to take place for the maintenance of the new system? How many more people are needed to maintain the system? Who will do the training?
The Lytton First Nation Operations & Maintenance Manager and Housing Department Manager are directly involved with the water system improvement design planning. There will be a need for increased capacity/workers and equipment for the new subdivision in the Housing Department and Operations & Maintenance Department. The employee opportunities will be posted when we are closer to completion.
Will the system support the broader community i.e. past 3 mile on Hwy 12?
The system is designed to maintain service for properties currently connected to the Stein Water System, stretching southeast to two-mile road. With the addition of the new reservoir, pumpstation, and completion of upgrades to one of the existing pumpstations, we're not only servicing the IR 2B subdivision, but also enhancing capacity and serviceability for the entire Stein Water System. This reservoir is being designed to accommodate the forecasted on-reserve population growth over the next 20 years. However, the scope of this project doesn't include extending the water system to new areas other than to service the IR 2B subdivision development. Once the Subdivision is complete, the Chief & Council will increase the community development planning to determine services to the broader community.
Are the 28 homes just for rent or are they going to be rent to own.
The fund agreement with the Federal government and the funding agency Indigenous Services Canada, Community Initiatives Program have noted that these 28-homes will be rental units managed by Lytton First Nation Housing Department. This understanding will need to be delivered to project completion. Should there be any changes to the asset management plan, this would be a decision of Chief and Council.
How can people find out about possible job opportunities for LFN Members working on these development projects?
To learn about possible opportunities, please reach out Leonora Thomas by email Leonora.thomas@lfn.band and by phone at (250) 455-2304.
Has the current usage in percentage been determined for the 1997 Stein Water system design capacity?
Based on the feasibility study conducted on August 9, 2023, for the Stein Water System Upgrades project; The current water system is operating at about 50% of its total capacity to meet the Maximum Daily Demand (MDD) flow, which is the highest amount of water used throughout the day.However, when it comes to the Peak Hour Demand (PHD) flow, the system is using all available capacity to meet the demand during the busiest hours. Additionally, there are some areas within the system where the available storage for fire suppression is insufficient, which means that the system may not be adequately equipped to handle fire emergencies in those locations. In simpler terms, this means that while the water system can handle regular daily demands well, it might struggle to cope with sudden high demands, especially during peak hours, and there may be areas where firefighting capabilities are limited. We are currently going to predesign/design and hydrology review of the Stein for water license application for increase in drawdown to improve capacity of water availability to the communities. This will also be supported by a new intake and new reservoir.
Has an expected demand for the proposed housing been determined?
Yes, the expected demand for the next 20-years of on-reserve population has been determined, including the anticipated demand from the proposed IR 2B subdivision. The proposed upgrades to the system will provide capacity for the forecasted 20-year on-reserve population.
As there is high potential for another wildfire to go through this area, has an adequate emergency route been planned?
Yes, to address the potential for another wildfire in the area, both Green Meadows Road and Alkali Road will be upgraded and designated as Emergency Egress routes for the subdivision and other homes up Alkali road.
When this subdivision was first planned, the blackwater was designed to be pumped to a lagoon on IR 21B, will this previous design still be considered?
One of the reasons behind pumping the blackwater to a lagoon is that it would save on frontage space for the homes and if this is being considered, the location of the piping going from IR 2B to IR 21B could also provide an emergency access route. In the bi-weekly technical meetings between Indigenous Services Canada, LFN Team and Aplin Martin, Dan Ferguson, Regional Health Officer was invited, and he spoke to the need for planning for a wastewater treatment facility. The government replied that the wastewater facility is in the 5 to 10 year plan for LFN and the current project approved for funding will include septic systems for each home.
Will there be extra lots built for members who want to build their own home?
The current Lot Plan for the Nuuautin IR 2B Subdivision is in design phase that provides for up to 56 potential lots for home builds. The design plan with be submitted to Indigenous Services Canada for approval to go to construction and legal survey of the 56 lots and a few lots for green space for the children and families. With the design approval of Indigenous Service Canada there will be a lot absorption plan for the 28 homes that Indigenous Services Canada has preapproved to be funded. When the 28 lots for the 28 homes are selected the other remaining lots will be for future LFN absorption be it for LFN Housing Department, LFN Homeownership Program for LFN members wanting to finance and build their own home. We have not confirmed whether there will be a cost associated with LFN members acquiring a legally surveyed lot. We also need to determine if the LFN Lands Department are going to be involved in the process to acquire future lots.
So, yes some of the surplus lots will be for LFN community home building needs. Clarification for acquiring a surplus lot will be done once construction of the 28-home subdivision is complete.
PRESENTATION BOARDS
The full presentation boards are available to view below in case you were unable to attend our most recent open house which took place on February 27th, 2025, from 2:30 PM to 5:30 PM at the Battlefield Community Center.
