Board Meeting - February 2022 Highlights
February 25, 2022
International Kootenay Lake Board of Control
A delegation from the International Kootenay Lake Board of Control (IKLBC), including David Hutchinson, Colonel Alexander Bullock, Adam Greeley, and Martin Suchy, joined the meeting for an informative discussion on the mandate and activities of the IKLBC. The IKLBC is responsible for the supervision of the operation of the Corra Linn Dam and ensures that conditions set for Kootenay Lake are maintained.
Click here to read the presentation from the IKLBC (agenda item 2.5, pg. 48).
Kootenay Lake Local Conservation to fund 2022 projects
The Board approved $75,000 in grant funds for the Kootenay Lake Local Conservation Fund to be spread among eight different projects. In its eighth year, the fund provides grants to support Kootenay Lake area conservation efforts in Electoral Areas A, D and E focused on the conservation of water and aquatic systems, as well as wildlife and habitat. Here are the eight projects:
|
PROJECT |
PROPONENT |
AMOUNT |
|
Grizzly Bear Coexistence Solution |
Friends of the Lardeau River Society |
$9,000 |
|
Habitat Restoration for beavers along the Duncan Lardeau River floodplains |
British Columbia Conservation Foundation |
$11,500 |
|
Bat roost habitat enhancement in the Kootenay Lake Area |
Wildlife Conservation Society Canada |
$13,000 |
|
2022 Harrop Wetland Enhancement Project |
Friends of Kootenay Lake Stewardship Society |
$13,000 |
|
Fish/Bear Lakes Western Toad Mortality Mitigation Implementation along Highway 31A |
Valhalla Wilderness Society |
$4,000 |
|
Community monitoring and removal of aquatic invasive species along the Kootenay Lake shoreline |
Central Kootenay Invasive Species Society |
$9,000 |
|
Kootenay Watershed Science: determining the impact of changing climate on small and medium size watersheds |
Living Lakes Canada |
$7,500 |
|
Communities in Nature: supporting intact ecosystems in Area E watersheds |
West Kootenay EcoSociety |
$8,000 |
Water Services Committee established
The Board established a new Water Services Committee to consider matters related to all 18 RDCK-owned water systems. Under consideration by the Board since 2013, the governance changes will streamline decision making and improve risk mitigation while still ensuring effective public input into local water systems. The committee will also be responsible for reviewing and recommending to the board on water metering, water conservation standards and water regulated bylaws, as well as reviewing criteria for the acquisition of new water systems. Bylaws for most of the existing Water Commissions will be rescinded or amended later in 2022.
RDCK awards compost facility contracts
The RDCK’s organics diversion program is one step closer to implementation. The RDCK Board awarded the construction project for the Central Landfill Composting Facility (Salmo) to Border Holdings Ltd. and approved GFL Environmental handle the operations and maintenance of the Creston Compost Facility.
The Creston Compost Facility is set to be operational in May, while construction of the Central Landfill Composting Facility is scheduled to start in the spring with completion expected by the fall. The RDCK received grant funding to design and build the facilities through the Low Carbon Economy Fund which supports projects that help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In addition, the RDCK also received funding from the CleanBC Organics Infrastructure and Collection Program which will go towards establishing curbside collection of organics materials in Castlegar and Creston in 2022.
Silverton recycling depot closure
Effective April 1, 2022, the RDCK will permanently close the Silverton satellite recycling depot (406 Hume Street). With a core depot located 5 km away in New Denver (602 Slocan Avenue), it did not make financial sense to continue to operate the Silverton location. Over the last year, the RDCK has tracked usage and material volumes at the Silverton location and the data proved the facility was using sparingly. Operating just the core depot (accepts all Recycle BC category types) in New Denver will be much more cost efficient.
RDCK Climate Action Targets
With the ultimate goal of creating climate resilient communities, reducing risks of climate change, while holding the organization accountable, the RDCK Board adopted progressive science based carbon pollution (greenhouse gas emissions) reduction targets of 50% below 2018 levels by 2030 and 100% by 2050. The Board also directs staff to prepare four-year climate action plans as a pathway to 2030 climate action targets.
Local government has a critical role to play to limit the effect of the climate crisis and these new targets and action plan demonstrate the RDCK’s commitment to the global efforts. This new framework can integrate emerging technology and capabilities while developing sustainable land use patterns through robust planning policy and regulation to mitigate flood, geohazard and wildfire risks, while preserving the landscape.
Click here for more information on climate action.
West Kootenay Transit Governance
The Board directed staff to investigate governance options for services funding West Kootenay Transit. Staff have been directed to address how local service levels may be prioritized, timely discussions of the criteria based apportionment of transit costs, and oversite for local government transit assets and the development of capital plans.
Special event permit bylaw for Electoral Area H
The Board adopted a Special Event Permit Bylaw to apply only in Area H. Under the bylaw, organizers of events with over 200 attendees must apply for a permit to hold their event. The bylaw will help to mitigate the community impacts and safety concerns associated with large events, especially those held during wildfire season. The special events permit approval process will be handled through the RDCK Fire Services.
Director’s Reports
RDCK Directors provide monthly reports explaining what they have been working on. Click here to read the February reports in the Board minutes (agenda item 4.4, pg. 141).
Click here to view a print friendly PDF version.
The content on this page was last updated February 28 2022 at 1:11 AM