Ocean Falls : A Closer Look
Population
Ocean falls is home to approximately 60 people year round with the summer population more than doubling to 145. Some 45 (approx.) people are actually working full time or part time. There were 89 Eligible voters in the last OFID election.
Ocean Falls used to be the most populous community in the central coast years ago.
Law Enforcement
Law enforcement is provided by the RCMP from the post at Bella Bella. Calls are made to the RCMP despatch centre in Courtenay which relays the calls directly when someone is on duty in Bella Bella, and otherwise takes messages. The RCMP have a fast seaworthy boat and can arrive in Ocean Falls within one hour of being despatched. Sgt. Mel Peterson is the NCO of the Bella Bella post.
The RCMP presence on the coast includes two high speed catamarans, the MV Inkster and the MV Nadon, which have also been in Ocean Falls on a number of occasions.
Waste Treatement
Two licences from the Waste Management Branch of BC Environment govern waste treatment in Martin Valley East & West. The outflow is currently being replaced and extended from 400' to 600'. The Ocean Falls system is as it was when it was turned over to the OFID. Arrangements made prior to the formation of the OFID with the Ocean Falls Corporation (the BC government) had required upgrades which were not performed.
Canada Post
The Ocean Falls Post Office is located in the Courthouse. The Postmaster is
Gerald Hogrefe. The Post Office is open 24 hours per week.
Mail arrives once per week by air via Pacific Coastal Airlines on their Wednesday scheduled flight. It is not possible to have items come to Ocean Falls by courier; shipments sent by courier typically go astray.
Our postal code V0T 1P0 is remembered as "Very Old Town, One Pub Only".
Health Services
Health services are provided to Ocean Falls by the United Church of Canada through the R.W. Large Hospital in Bella Bella. A doctor is flown in once a month (usually on the first Tuesday). Appointments are arranged through a local volunteer, Hazel Rezansoff.
Relations with the Central Coast Transitional Health Authority (formerly the Central Coast Community Health Council) are maintained through Sonia Clarke, the Ocean Falls representative. Sonia is guided by the Ocean Falls Health Committee, chaired by Phyllis Hooker and consisting of Phyllis plus seven directors. Jeff Hiltz, a registered nurse and nurse practitioner, is resident part of the year in Ocean Falls and has proposed to the Health Authority that he consult with the community, evaluate our needs and present recommendations. We are hopeful that this evaluation will proceed soon.
Fire Protection
The Ocean Falls Volunteer Fire Department provides fire protection in Ocean Falls and Martin Valley. Equipment includes a pumper truck, several portable fire pumps, Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA), and turnout gear for the 16 members. The fire alarm is triggered by telephone and includes a siren on the Courthouse and a larger siren in Martin Valley. The volunteers exercise the equipment weekly. No serious fires have occurred in the past two years - several chimney and other minor fires have been quickly extinguished. The Fire Chief, David Wilson, has recently been appointed as Local Assistant to the Fire Commissioner (LAFC).
Water Service
Water for Domestic and fire purposes is obtained under license from the Water Management Branch of BC Environment, and under license from the Ministry of Health. Water in Ocean Falls is taken from Link Lake and serves the town by gravity feed. It is not treated since very few people live in Ocean Falls. The Ocean Falls license includes right of storage of water in Link Lake, but does not include the right of taking water for sale. Water for Martin Valley is taken from the Martin River, chlorinated and pumped to a storage tank on the hill from which it feeds the town by gravity.
Link Lake water is renowned for its purity up and down the coast. In the past, attempts were made to export the water for bottling, and in the process a water point was established on the turning dolphin which forms one end of the ferry dock. This is now the preferred place for BC Ferries to water their boats. Many fish boats, tourist cruisers, and the RCMP use this facility.
Real Estate Market
The OFID was given a number of houses in Martin Valley of which the last was sold in 1997. The prices of these houses, often in very bad repair after having stood empty for a decade, were remarkably low. Several recent sales of three bedroom homes in Martin Valley have been $32,000-$37,000. These houses have been restored and renovated since purchase from the OFID. Sales of lots have been as high as $8,500 for a lot with a particularly good view. A number of houses are for sale, a list is available from the OFID office. Sonia Clarke is a licenced Real Estate Agent.
Conference Capability
There are sufficient resources in Ocean Falls to accommodate meetings and conferences. In 1997 some 50 of the RCMP used The Coast Lodge for such a purpose. The largest problems in organizing this kind of thing are the advance planning required, and the difficulty of transporting a number of people in or out at one time. Advance planning is required because the resources to feed a large number of people may not be immediately at hand, and also because more than one site may be required for accommodation and coordination will be needed between the various operators. Travel by BC Ferries is more likely to accommodate large numbers of people.
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