Contributed: Rachael Lesosky
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The Regional District of Central Kootenay is seeking resident approval via the Alternative Approval Process (AAP) to move forward with a medical first responder service in portions of Area D.
The service would provide pre-hospital care in areas that are not included in the Kaslo fire protection area: south of Mirror Lake, north of Shutty Bench, communities to the north of Kootenay Lake, and those in Area D on the west side of Kootenay Lake.
“First responders in the Lardeau Valley, and Ainsworth and Woodbury, will definitely benefit from this because we will have a vehicle, we will have more people, and we will have training available,” said Area D Director Aimee Watson.
An AAP asks only for responses from individuals who are against the matter. If 10 per cent or more sign and submit a response, then the board would not proceed with establishing the service. Forms must be received by 4 pm on June 17. Ballots are available at the RDCK office, or via mail.
Staff from Fire and Emergency Services will attend the Emergency Fair in Lardeau Valley on May 12 and will be available to answer questions.
Fibre diversion
Brian Watson and Chris Longmore attended online to present on a fibre utilization program organized by the Forest Enhancement Society of BC (FESBC) and Mercer Celgar Pulp Mill Facility in Castlegar, in collaboration with the Osoyoos Indian Band (OIB).
The project focuses on wildfire mitigation and emissions reduction by diverting slash fibre that would otherwise be burned in normal forestry operations.
“It’s a fantastic project with all three partners playing a key role,” said Longmore, Manager of Fibre Procurement at Mercer Celgar.
To abate the risk of wildfires after logging, slash is usually burned, said Watson, Operations Manager of FESBC. But it releases a lot of carbon into the atmosphere.
Diverting fibre through the program is two-fold: it stops carbon emissions, and it continues to mitigate fire risks by clearing away debris.
“One belief that’s been strongly communicated from the Osoyoos Indian Band is that they take pride in taking care of their traditional territory,” said Longmore. “This project has given them an opportunity to manage the land the way they want to see it managed.”
A representative from OIB was unable to attend the presentation.
To date, a bit over $1.6 million has been spent through the project, with most of the monies going back into local communities, contractors, and other jobs interconnected with the forestry industry, Longmore said.
Since May 2023, the project has diverted about 120,000 cubic metres of fibre and prevented about 52,000 tonnes of carbon from being released.
FESBC is an agency of the provincial government, created about seven years ago to invest in projects. It has funded about $23.5 million worth of projects in the Kootenay Boundary.
Regional parks reporting
The RDCK will start getting a better sense of how people use parks after the board approved acquisition of Trans Canada Trail (TCT) Propulso Reports.
TCT Propulso Reports is a reporting method that uses GPS, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and IP data from mobile device users who have consented to having their information used for advertising purposes. It provides anonymized geolocation data that, when accompanied with mapping, can offer insight into visitor counts, visitor characteristics, average visits, and tourism information and demographics.
“Staff will be able to use the data to demonstrate that parks are a well-used asset and not just a cost to the taxpayer,” wrote Mark Crowe, Regional Parks Planner, in his staff report from March 19.
The RDCK will acquire TCT Propulso Reports for an amount up to $20,000. The funds will be allocated from individual regional park reserves. Each regional park service will be responsible for funding only their portion of the acquired reports.
Water system fees
Some areas in the Valley Voice readership will see increased regional district water system user fees after the board repealed and replaced the Utility Rates, Fees and Charges Bylaw.
Burton increases by 15%, to $1,674 for a single-family dwelling.
Edgewood increases by 6%, to $1,632.
Fauquier increases by 10%, to $1,624.
Rosebery Highlands increases by 15%. All dwellings are $1,570 annually. An undeveloped parcel is $974.
South Slocan increases by 7%. All dwellings are $2,115 annually. A secondary suite is $1,479.
BC Hydro pays the water bills of all property owners in Burton, Edgewood, and Fauquier who registered with BC Hydro’s water system administrator in 2010, when ownership of the water systems was transferred from BC Hydro to the RDCK. BC Hydro will continue paying these property owners’ bills until their properties transfer ownership.
Transfer Station upgrades
North Mountain Construction Ltd. was awarded the contract to upgrade the Rosebery and Slocan Transfer Stations, and to transition the Nakusp landfill to a transfer station.
The total project cost is $2,578,000.
Nakusp construction will began on April 30 and is set to finish June 30.
Rosebery will begin July 2 and finish August 30.
Slocan will begin September 1 and finish November 30.
Area D planning commission
The board appointed Ken Hart to the Area D Advisory Planning and Heritage Commission, for the term ending December 31, 2026.
The commission is an independent body comprised of local residents. It makes recommendations on proposed land use bylaws or permits that are referred to it by the RDCK board or Area D director.
Regional growth strategy
The RDCK received $250,000 from the Province to develop a regional growth strategy (RGS).
Work under the grant can include collaboration with member municipalities and Indigenous Nations to understand what an RGS means for the region; creating an understanding of what growth means to the RDCK and where it should occur; and developing a shared regional vision to guide service delivery.
The grant can be used between April 1, 2024, and March 31, 2029.
Communications strategy
Staff is seeking feedback from the board on an updated RDCK communications strategy. Staff have been updating the strategy to reflect how communications priorities have changed in the last five years.
Some of the top priorities of the 2024 strategy include raising public awareness, creating a consistent look and feel of communication materials, and enhancing digital communications. The updated strategy also hopes to support board members and senior managers in becoming stronger communicators, and to empower staff to be ambassadors of RDCK messages.
“The strategy is a critical document because it will help focus resources and efforts towards agreed-upon goals, and help ensure the organization is using those resources effectively,” reads the April 5 staff report from Dan Elliot, Communications Coordinator.
The strategy will come back to the board at its May 16 regular meeting.
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