Category: Uncategorized

Nelson, BC: The Regional District of Central Kootenay (RDCK) is pleased to announce that the Erickson Water System in Electoral Area B has been awarded $3,502,332 in grant funding from the Provincial Water Meter Pilot Project. The Pilot Project is investing $50 million in water metering for nineteen small, rural and First Nations communities across the province, with specific focus on the single-family residential sector.

RDCK staff selected Erickson Water System’s Phase 2 metering for the Pilot Project application as it best fit the project criteria and would complete universal metering for the entire system. Phase 1 metering is currently underway and includes 136 meters installed on industrial, commercial, institutional, and agricultural services, with all costs projected to be covered under various senior government grant funding. Phase 2 will see 506 meter installations, which is 100% grant funded through this Pilot Project.

“Erickson water system continues to face capacity challenges from increased water needs and reduced summertime flows in Arrow Creek,” said Alex Divlakovski, RDCK Water Operations Manager. “These challenges are most notable in the agricultural sector where water supply during critical summer months has been repeatedly threatened by demand exceeding what’s available in the watershed. By installing meters and boosting demand-side management via leak location and repair, we are ensuring water is being used where it’s intended. We have seen a 30% reduction in water use in other RDCK systems that have implemented universal metering with volumetric billing and hope for 15-20% in Erickson while maintaining flat-rate billing. Without this generous Provincial grant funding, universal metering would have been years away for this system, resulting in countless volumes wasted and increased stress on the Arrow Creek watershed.”

The Pilot Project will take place over the next two years and requires RDCK participation in a community of practice as part of an adjunct research project to study the benefits and challenges associated with water metering in small communities. The Province has stated that it will make the results of the Pilot Project available to all water suppliers in B.C.

Nelson, BC: Effective Immediately, the Regional District of Central Kootenay (RDCK), has issued a Boil Water Notice for the Riondel Water System in Electoral Area A due to a mechanical process failure at the water treatment plant that requires raw water to bypass the treatment system. Boil Water Notices are issued when a health risk, or potential for a health risk, is determined in the drinking water source. The Boil Water Notice remains in effect until the issue is resolved and acceptable water quality results are obtained from two consecutive bacteriological tests on the distribution system.

Owners of all public facilities must post a Boil Water Notice at all sinks or drinking water fountains accessible to the public (alternatively, public fountains and taps may be turned off). As opportunities arise, they must also advise their clientele verbally of the Boil Water Notice. The RDCK and Interior Health recommend that all customers drink boiled water or a safe alternative until further notice. Water intended for drinking, washing fruits and vegetables, making beverages or ice, or brushing teeth should be boiled for one minute. Boiled water should then be refrigerated in a clean, covered container.

Please share this information with neighbours and community members who drink this water, especially those who may not have received this notice directly, such as people in long and short-term rental units, mobile home parks, and care homes. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your cooperation and patience during this time.

The best way to receive information about your RDCK water system, is to sign up to receive specific notifications, through Voyent Alert!. Users will receive both Emergency and RDCK Water System notifications based on the location entered when signing up. Click here to sign up to this service and receive alerts and updates.

For more information contact the RDCK at 250.352.8161 or 1.800.268.7325 ext. 8161 or visit our website at www.rdck.ca/water.

Ostrich motion at RDCK Board meeting

There was significant online and public presence at this month’s Board meeting to voice their disapproval of the RDCK potentially accepting ostrich carcasses from a farm in Edgewood, BC, located in Electoral Area K. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency recently ordered nearly 400 ostriches from the farm must be killed, based on testing done on the birds for avian influenza back in December. In January 2025, the RDCK received a temporary authorization under the Operating Certificate from the Provincial Ministry of Environment and Parks to accept the hazardous waste material at the Ootischenia Landfill.

Public time at the monthly RDCK meeting typically is scheduled for 15 minutes and allows community members to ask questions on any topic of their choosing to the Board of Directors. Because of the significant turnout, public time lasted an hour, and the majority of the speakers asked the Board to do everything in its power to not accept the ostrich carcasses. The Board subsequently passed a motion to not accept the carcasses until certain conditions are met.

The RDCK Board direct staff to withhold acceptance, at any landfill, of ostrich carcasses originating from a farm in Edgewood, BC, to be culled and delivered by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency as a result of them being exposed to Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza until the number of birds confirmed infected with HPAI and the number classified as exposed, based on testing performed after May 15, 2025 is confirmed from the CFIA and/or Ministry of Agriculture and Food; AND FURTHER, that the RDCK request the CFIA provide this information directly to the public, in a timely and transparent manner, to support public understanding and trust.

Spearhead – Land Use Amendment

Following a third public hearing, the Board completed third reading of the land use bylaw amendment application for Spearhead, a local wood products manufacturer based in Electoral Area F. Two conditions must be satisfied before the Board considers Adoption of the proposed amendments. First, the Ministry of Transportation and Transit must approve the zoning bylaw amendment (Bylaw No. 3003) and secondly, the Board has requested that a covenant be prepared and placed on the title of the property that would require Spearhead to comply with recommendations of a professional environmental consultant before a building permit is issued. Once these two conditions are met the Board will consider Adoption of Bylaws 3002 and 3003 that will amend the land use designation from residential to industrial and rezone the subject lands from country residential to comprehensive development. Spearhead is intending on constructing a large industrial building on three residential lots located along Highway 3A in Electoral Area F, which would allow them to manufacture glue-laminated wood products on site. Click here to read the staff report.

Resident Directed (ReDi) grant funding

The Board approved the 2025 Resident Directed (ReDi) grant funding. ReDi Grants are a program of the Columbia Basin Trust, administered by the RDCK under contract to the Trust. In 2025, a total of $1,489,959.35 in funding will be allocated to 313 different project proposals. 22 community input meetings were held across the RDCK between April 1 and April 15, providing an opportunity for each community to give feedback on the project proposals. Click here for a complete list of all the recipients of ReDi funding. The programs support local projects that provide additional value to Basin communities, and that benefit the broad community and public good

New Water Utilities Rates, Fees, and Charges

The Board approved an increase to all water utilities rates, fees and charges. The increase ensures RDCK utility systems are financially healthy and positioned to support resilient, service-based development. Water rates vary by individual service depending on treatment and distribution infrastructure, asset renewal and operations and maintenance requirements, and the number of accounts serviced.  All water systems are required to be completely self-sufficient and funded by the users of the service, except for funds provided by federal and provincial grants, when available. By better reflecting the true cost of service delivery, rate changes may also help reduce unnecessary water consumption, lower system stress, and defer or avoid costly capacity expansions or upgrades driven by peak demands on a system. The revenue collected will in part go towards the sustainable management of water system source waters, education, and outreach.

Budget meetings were held will all the respective water commissions of management and water community advisory committees, with the exception of Burton (meeting pending). Click here to read the Board report and see the new rates, fees, and charges for all RDCK water systems.

Erickson Water System – Metering Project

Erickson Water System has been awarded $3,502,332 in grant funding from the Provincial Water Meter Pilot Project. The Pilot Project is investing $50 million in water metering for 19 small, rural, and First Nations communities across the province, with specific focus on the single-family residential sector. The funds will go toward completing universal metering for the entire Erickson water system. Installing meters helps to ensure water is used where it is intended and not wasting it. The RDCK has seen a 30% reduction in water use in other RDCK systems that implement universal metering.

Director’s Reports

RDCK Directors provide monthly reports outlining what they have been working on. Click here to read the May reports in the Board minutes.

RDCK Quarterly Report

For the latest RDCK Quarterly Report, which details the current projects and initiatives of the RDCK, please follow the link.

Nelson, BC:  Effective Sunday, June 1, 2025, mandatory Stage 1 water conservation measures will be implemented across all Regional District of Central Kootenay (RDCK) water systems. These measures will remain in place from June 1 through September 30. Stage 1 may increase to one of three additional stages should demand increase significantly, hot and dry weather persists, or if reservoirs decline to critically low levels.

Stage 1 Water Conservation Measures Include:

• Watering of lawns (Including new lawns), gardens, trees, and shrubs ONLY between the hours of 7:00 pm to 10:00 am
• Watering using drip irrigation, a watering can, and or hand held hose is permitted at anytime.

Click here for a complete description of RDCK water conservation measures stages 1 through 4 or visit www.rdck.ca/water.

The RDCK appreciates water users’ ongoing cooperation in adhering to the water conservation measures.

The Regional District of Central Kootenay (RDCK) wishes to inform Lister Water System users that the annual water billing, typically issued in late April, has been delayed. We now anticipate that bills will be mailed closer to the end of June. We are also monitoring the potential for a postal strike at the end of May, which could further impact the timing of bill delivery. Please be assured that payment deadlines will be adjusted to maintain the standard 65-day period between the billing date and the payment due date.

We apologize for any inconvenience this might cause and appreciate your cooperation and patience during this time.

For more information contact the RDCK at 250.352.8161 or WaterContact@rdck.ca.

Nelson, BC: The Regional District of Central Kootenay (RDCK) would like to communicate that the annual water system billing that is normally sent out near the end of April was not processed. At this time, the RDCK anticipates all bills will be sent out closer to the end of May. As well, we are aware of a potential postal strike at the end of month that may further disrupt the billing distribution. Payment deadlines will be adjusted accordingly to allow for the normal 65 days between billing and payment.

We apologize for any inconvenience this might cause and appreciate your cooperation and patience during this time.

For more information contact the RDCK at 250.352.8161 or WaterContact@rdck.ca.

In It Together

RDCK to Test Emergency Notification System on Monday, May 5

Nelson, BC: In It Together, that’s the theme for Emergency Preparedness Week 2025 (May 4–10), a national campaign that reminds us that preparing for emergencies is a shared responsibility. Whether it’s a wildfire, flood, or power outage, our ability to respond and recover is stronger when we work together as neighbours, families, and communities.  

At the Regional District of Central Kootenay (RDCK), we are encouraging residents to use this week as an opportunity to take action, talk to your family about your emergency plan, build or update your grab-and-go kit, and check in with neighbours, because we are in it together. 

As part of Emergency Preparedness Week , the RDCK will conduct its annual TEST of the Emergency Notification System on Monday, May 5^th at approximately 2:00 pm. Anyone registered with the RDCK’s Emergency Notification System will receive a TEST NOTIFICATION by text, email, landline, or through the Voyent Alert! app, depending on their chosen settings.  

If you are new to the area or have not yet signed up for emergency notifications, please go to www.rdck.ca/EmergencyNotification. To ensure you receive important emergency information relevant to your location, it is imperative that residents update their account with accurate location information. Please take this opportunity to log in to the system and double check your details: www.rdck.ca/EmergencyNotification. 

“If there’s one thing emergency events have taught us, it’s that no one is in this alone,” said Dan Séguin, RDCK Manager of Community Sustainability. “Preparedness starts at home, but it doesn’t stop there. Checking in on a neighbour, planning with family, or signing up for emergency alerts, every action helps build a safer and better prepared region.” 

The City of Nelson, which also uses Voyent Alert!, will conduct a separate TEST of their notification system earlier on the same day. 

 Emergency Preparedness Week is a great time to take a few simple steps to improve your readiness: 

• Sign up to receive RDCK Emergency Notifications or login to update your set locations 
• Prepare a “grab and go” kit 
• Make a home emergency plan with this handy template 
• Plan for your pets 
• Plan for where you will go if you need to evacuate 
• Learn more about emergency preparedness 

During the week, the RDCK will share preparedness tips on Facebook, covering topics like alerts, kits, planning, pets, and property protection. 

The RDCK head office in Nelson (202 Lakeside Drive) will be CLOSED at 4:00 pm today to meet employer obligations for employees to vote in the Federal Election. Thank you for your understanding.

Moment of Silence

The Board observed two moments of silence in honour of four individuals who recently passed away. The first was held to remember RDCK Emergency Program Coordinator Jon Jackson, who passed away at the beginning of April. The second moment of silence was dedicated to Jason Remple (owner of Stellar Heliskiing and the Kaslo Hotel), Jeff Keenan, and Alex Pashley who tragically passed away in an avalanche on Monday, March 24 near Kaslo. The RDCK Board offered their condolences to the family and colleagues of these individuals.  

Audited Financial Statements

The Board approved the 2024 audited financial statements by BDO Canada. Audited financial statements provide a consolidated and independently verified overview of a local government’s financial activities over the course of the previous fiscal year and its financial position at the end of that year. Click here to view the 2024 audited financial statements.

New user fees and rental fees for RDCK Community Services

The Board approved an increase in user and rental fees based on a 2.6% rise in the cost of living in B.C. as of February 2025. Covered under the RDCK’s Community Services Fees and Charges Policy, this will affect the Castlegar & District Community Complex, Creston & District Community Complex, Nelson & District Community Complex, and Salmo & Area G Recreation effective September 2, 2025.

Rental rates that are below the target rate will be increased by 5% plus BC CPI for arenas. The Creston and District Community Complex aquatic rental rates will increase by 10%. Rates will increase until the target rental rate is reached as per the policy.

Recreation services at the RDCK are funded through a combination of user fees and taxation, resulting in recreation being subsidized by the community for the benefit of the community.

Public Hearing – Land Use Amendment (Spearhead, Electoral Area F)

The Board referred the land use bylaw amendment application from Spearhead to a third public hearing on May 1, 2025. The purpose of the application is to authorize the construction of a large industrial building on three residential lots located along Highway 3A in Electoral Area F, which would allow the applicant to manufacture glue-laminated wood products on site. New information was provided by the Interior Health Authority on April 10, 2025 which identified concerns regarding different conclusions drawn from two respective hydrogeological consultants. Based on the uncertainty of the potential impact of the proposed development on the aquifers and local ground water supply, staff recommended a third public hearing.

The Board resolved to give first and second readings to the proposed amendments to the Official Community Plan and Zoning bylaws in December 2024, but referred these bylaws to a public hearing. Since then, the RDCK has hosted two public hearings on January 9, 2025 and March 13, 2025. As well, the applicant was required to provide five supporting studies and reports to address comments from external agencies and concerns from the public. This included an archaeological assessment, on site wastewater assessment, groundwater impact assessment, traffic study, and a noise study. For more information, click here to read the staff report. 

Director’s Reports

RDCK Directors provide monthly reports outlining what they have been working on. Click here to read the April reports in the Board minutes.

RDCK Quarterly Report

For the latest RDCK Quarterly Report, which details the current projects and initiatives of the RDCK, please follow the link.

Nelson, BC: The Regional District of Central Kootenay (RDCK) has temporarily closed a portion of the Rosebery to Three Forks Regional Trail (Galena Trail) in Electoral Area H effective April 22, 2025. This closure is due to a significant slough of the riverbank that has affected the integrity of the existing bridge structure between the cable car crossing and the Three Forks trail head.

It was determined that continued use of this portion of the trail could pose safety risks to trail users as the slough impacted the use of the bridge. The Trail remains open from Rosebery to the cable car and the cable car will remain closed until the bridge installation is completed to ensure the safety of all trail users.

The RDCK is in the process of working on a plan to replace the bridge, prior to it being affected by the slough, and expects to reopen the trail by the beginning of June. Please respect all trail closure areas, signage and barriers.

For more information, updates on the trail status, visit rdck.ca/parks.

The RDCK is hosting a Spring Household Hazardous Waste Round-Up Event at the Creston Landfill, 1501 Mallory Road on Sunday May 4, 2025 from 10 am to 2 pm.

As this event will be well attended, your patience with both the traffic and the process will be much appreciated.

Please use the site map provided below to familiarise yourself with the traffic flow of the event this year. Traffic controllers will also be on site to assist.

Please note that if you miss this spring event, the RDCK is also hosting a fall event in Creston in September 2025. The event date will be announced around late June.

Thank you in advance for your participation.

• Accepted Materials
• Creston Landfill HHW Site Map

Click here for further information on our Household Hazardous Waste Events.

Nelson, BC: The Regional District of Central Kootenay (RDCK) is undertaking an extensive 9-1-1 improvement project to align with the federal move to the Geographic Information Systems (GIS) based Next Generation 9-1-1 (NG911) program rolling out in 2025. The project focuses on the improvement of GIS address and roads data throughout the RDCK. The NG911 system will replace the legacy analogue infrastructure with IP-based technology. This will create a faster, more resilient system that will eventually allow digital information (e.g., voice, real-time text, and eventually video calling) to flow seamlessly from the public to 9-1-1.

All residences in the RDCK require a civic address that is registered in the RDCK database to ensure emergency services can quickly find you and potential evacuations are efficient. The RDCK is asking residents to be proactive and to confirm they have a correct address within the RDCK database. Residents should check their addresses using the RDCK Web Map. If your address does not appear in the web map, 9-1-1 does not have your address and you should apply for one!

Check the Civic Addressing page on the RDCK website to see if your address meets the requirements. If it does not you will qualify for a free address change. Use the Civic Address Application Form to apply for a free address or address change between April and June 2025 and state ‘NG911’ as your reason for the request.

“In our business, seconds can save lives, so it is imperative residents throughout the RDCK ensure they have a registered address within our database,” said RDCK Regional Fire Chief Tristan Fehst.

The RDCK may be reaching out to residents to initiate address changes where required. Visit  www.rdck.ca/911Services for more details on the initiative. If you have any further questions, please the RDCK GIS department at maps@rdck.bc.ca.

Mark your calendars for Saturday, April 26 for the annual Trash to Treasure event!

In celebration of Earth Day week, the RDCK and the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary are promoting the Trash to Treasure event again this year.

This is a great opportunity to reduce the waste going into our landfills and to find treasures from your neighbours.

To participate, simply create a sign or use the sign available here to let people know the items are free for treasure hunters! Please make sure all remaining items are removed by 4:00 pm, Saturday, April 16 in order to keep your streets clean.

NOTE: Please only place items in front of your own home – do not dump on street corners or in front of other properties.

RDCK Adopts Five-Year Financial Plan

The Board of Directors adopted the 2025-2029 Financial Plan Bylaw, an annual requirement which must be completed by end of March each year. This year’s budget will see a 5.7% average increase in property taxes for RDCK residents, although this is highly variable depending on the Electoral Area or Municipality the resident lives in.

The RDCK hosted nine hybrid public information sessions (in-person and online), one Special Budget Meeting, plus individual budgets were discussed at all commission and committee meetings over the last two months, which allowed the public in our various sub regions to comment and provide feedback on the five-year Financial Plan.

Residents are encouraged to review the financial plan and reach out to staff or Directors with questions.

Electoral Area I Official Community Plan

The Board adopted the new Electoral Area I Sentinel Mountain Official Community Plan (OCP) Bylaw No. 2821. The OCP sets out the vision and objectives of a community to guide future development, land use management, character of the community, protection of environmentally sensitives areas, and investment in infrastructure. The plan is the primary tool that provides policy direction that informs the RDCK Board and other government agencies in making land use decisions.

Read Electoral Area I Official Community Plan

FireSmart Program

The Board directed staff to apply to the 2025 Union of BC Municipalities Community Resiliency Investment FireSmart Community Funding Supports program for $1,700,000 for the delivery of the 2025 and 2026 FireSmart Programs.

The funding will be used to hire a full-time temporary FireSmart Coordinator, six seasonal Wildfire Mitigation Specialists, deliver public education and outreach, conduct limited fuel treatments on RDCK owned lands (crown land fuel treatment under this grant is funded through the Wildfire Risk Reduction Program and administered through the Ministry of Forests), update/renewal of the Area H Community Wildfire Resiliency Plan (CWRP),  deliver the Neighbourhood Recognition Program, administer the rebate program, and the delivery of home ignition zone assessments under the Wildfire Mitigation Program (previously known as the Home Partners Program).

Under 2024 funding the program set a record for the number of assessments provided with 528 home ignition zone assessments. As well, 27 neighbourhoods were recognized for their work to reduce their community to wildland fire, the CWRP’s are being updated in Electoral Areas A, B, C, G, J, K and the Villages of Nakusp and Salmo, and in total, 115 rebates were issued.

Purchase of Five Fire Truck Apparatus

The Board awarded the purchase of five Fire Truck Apparatus to Fort Garry Fire Trucks (Winnipeg, MB). The five trucks will be allocated to the Balfour-Harrop Fire Department, Canyon-Lister Fire Department, North Shore Fire Department, Tarrys Fire Department, and Winlaw Fire Department. All five apparatus will replace fire apparatus ranging in age from 25 to 27 years old.

The Fire Underwriters Survey (FUS) specifies frontline fire apparatus age as a critical factor in determining communities Dwelling Protection Grading. For rural communities, the age is set at 20 years before replacement. The RDCK was granted an extension by FUS on each apparatus to accommodate the procurement and building process for the new apparatus.  

The expected delivery date is some time in 2027.

Local Conservation Fund

The Board approved $139,767 in grant funds for the Local Conservation Fund to be spread among eight different projects. The fund provides grants to support local conservation efforts in Electoral Areas A, D, E, F, and H focused on the conservation of water and aquatic systems, as well as wildlife and habitat. Here are the eight projects:

PROJECT	PROPONENT	AMOUNT
Enhancing bat habitat and monitoring populations in the West Kootenays	Wildlife Conservation Society of Canada	$24,208
Slocan Valley Pollinator Highway Project: Phase 1 – Year 2	Elk Root Conservation Farm Society	$18,865
Slocan River Riparian Restoration 2025	Slocan River Streamkeepers	$20,000
Central Kootenays Wetland Restoration	BC Wildfire Federation	$16,000
Construction and Conservation of Artificial Bat Roosts in West Kootenay	Okanagan Nation Alliance	$18,497
Kootenay BroomBusters – A Community Led Pulling Together Program	Central Kootenay Invasive Species Society	$15,730
North Kootenay Lake Climate Resilience and Water Monitoring Project	Living Lakes Canada	$12,000
Wire Fence Removal to Restore Habitat Connectivity	Wildsight Creston Valley	$14,467

Director’s Reports

RDCK Directors provide monthly reports outlining what they have been working on. Click here to read the March reports in the Board minutes.

RDCK Quarterly Report

For the latest RDCK Quarterly Report, which details the current projects and initiatives of the RDCK, please follow the link.

Nelson, BC:  The Regional District of Central Kootenay (RDCK) is pleased to announce the launch of its newly redesigned website, www.rdck.ca, aimed at improving accessibility, transparency, and public engagement. The new platform offers residents, businesses, and visitors a user-friendly experience with improved navigation, enhanced features, and easier access to important RDCK services and information.

With a fresh, clean, modern design, the new website provides a streamlined interface that ensures quick access to essential resources such as Board meeting agendas and minutes, building permits, recreation facilities, and hours of operation for waste and recycling facilities.

“This has been a long time coming and we are excited to introduce a digital experience that better serves our community,” said Stuart Horn, RDCK Chief Administrative Officer. “This new website, which is our number one communication tool, reflects our commitment to transparency, efficiency, and accessibility, ensuring residents can easily find the information and services they need. We look forward to hearing how our new website functions in this regard as well as how we can continue to improve”

Key features of the new website include:

• Enhanced Navigation: improved menu structure for quick and easy access to popular services.
• Responsive Design: Provides consistent viewing on any device or computer.
• Meetings Calendar Capability: Users can filter by area to find meetings impacting them.
• Expanded Commissions and Committees Pages: Built out content to include agendas, minutes and schedules for all commissions and committees.
• Monthly Newsletter: Sign up for monthly newsletter to stay up to date on all RDCK news, projects, initiatives, and events.
• Search: Improved functionality to get people where they need to go.
• RDCK Branding: The new website aligns with the organization’s visual identity.
• Accessibility Compliance: Adherence to Web Content Accessibility Guidelines standards to ensure inclusivity for all users.

The new website is a culmination of work between the RDCK and web developer Paper Crane. The RDCK invites residents to explore the new website and provide feedback on its functionality and features. The site will continue to evolve with ongoing updates and enhancements based on user needs and technological advancements.

Effective March 31, 2025

Nelson, BC:  On January 16, 2025, the Regional District of Central Kootenay (RDCK) Board of Directors approved the permanent closure of the Winlaw Recycling Depot located at 5686 Highway 6 in Electoral Area H. The site will continue to service its customers until its permanent closure on March 31, 2025.

The closest facilities to use upon closure are the Slocan Transfer Station (8875 Slocan South Road) or the Crescent Valley Recycling Depot (1285 Highway 6, beside the Community Hall).

Closing Winlaw was one of the recommendations of the Tipping Fee Cost Recovery Assessment & Resource System Efficiency Study (the Study), completed by GHD Consulting in 2024 to identify options for improving operational efficiencies, cost-effectiveness, and equitability of the regions Resource Recovery Program.

The Study compared RDCK to other regional districts, based on the hours of operation and the number of facilities per capita, and recommended closing any facilities which are collecting less than 50 kg of recycling per hour of operation and are located less than a 20-minute drive from other RDCK facilities.

Winlaw Recycling Depot is a Satellite Depot which accepts fewer materials than a Core Depot due to transportation costs and space restrictions; it receives approximately 40 kg per hour on average of household glass, plastic and paper products per hour of operation, and is approximately 19 km from the Slocan Core Recycling Depot, and approximately 24 km from the Crescent Valley Core Recycling Depot.

Closing Winlaw Recycling Depot will annually save an estimated $40,885 in operational costs, such as rent, snow removal, hauling of collected recyclables, staffing and supplies.

Recommendations in the Study related to tipping fee cost recovery and operational efficiencies are still being considered by Staff and the RDCK Board, and more changes will be proposed in 2025.

2025-2029 Draft Financial Plan

The current draft of this year’s financial plan is showing an average taxation increase of 6.5%, although actual changes vary widely based on property location. For example, the RDCK portion of Village of Slocan taxes are projected to decrease by 1.8%, while Electoral Area D is showing a 14% increase. Further changes to the Financial Plan are expected as there are ongoing budget reviews and discussions with Directors, staff, and at the committee level, as well as public engagement budget meetings throughout the region.

The budget process will conclude at the March 20Open Board Meeting where Directors will have a final opportunity to discuss, modify, and consider adoption of the budget.

Establishment of Local Conservation Fund Committee

The Board adopted Bylaw 2975: Local Conservation Fund Committee to establish a formal committee to review the proposed projects for local conservation funding. The establishment of the committee formalizes a practice previously conducted by those RDCK Directors whose Electoral Areas participate in the Local Conservation Service. Creating an official committee structure improves consistency with other RDCK service governance, ensuring proper public notice of meetings and opportunity for the public to attend.

Originally established in 2014, the Local Conservation Fund is collected in Electoral Areas A, D, E, F, and H. It provides funding for projects that benefit conservation in the rural areas around Kootenay Lake and the Slocan Valley. The fund is financed by an annual parcel tax of $15 in each of the participating Electoral Areas and applies to all parcels in the service area. Since 2016 the fund has distributed over $700,000 towards local conservation projects.

Community Readiness Partnership

The Board approved the RDCK enter into a two-year contribution agreement with Columbia Basin Trust to augment rural emergency management mitigation and preparedness capacity. The intent of the Community Readiness Partnership is to address gaps in funding initiatives that strengthen emergency preparedness, increase regional collaboration, and improve response capabilities in rural communities. Over the two years, the RDCK will receive $230,000 in funding which will go towards equipment purchases (vehicles, generators, trailer), training, extending the reach of existing community-based outreach initiatives such as the Neighbourhood Emergency Preparedness Plans, and renovations or improvements to emergency operation centres.

Inland Ferry Services Resolution

The Board Submitted a resolution regarding inland ferry services for consideration at the 2025 Association of Kootenay Boundary Local Governments (AKBLG) annual general meeting. Each year regional districts can submit resolutions to the AKBLG meeting for consideration, discussion and voting on by membership. The narrowed list will be presented to the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) and ultimately sent to the Legislative Assembly of BC for consideration by the provincial legislature.

The resolution put forward by the Board calls for the Province of BC to recognize that all ferry services within the province are necessary to the health, safety, and welfare of all the residents and should be considered when predetermining minimum inland ferry service levels on a site by site basis, and that the UBCM work with the affected areas and the Provincial Government to find a solution to ensure that rights of all British Columbia residents are protected equally on the Coast and the Interior of British Columbia.

Sue Big Oil resolution defeated

The Board voted against joining the Sue Big Oil class action lawsuit. Of the 20 Board of Directors, 16 opposed the motion. Sue Big Oil asks local governments to allocate at least $1 per resident, with the goal of raising $500,000 to get a class action lawsuit certified. During a lengthy conversation, the majority of Directors agreed they could not support taking a dollar from people who are not voluntarily signing up for a lawsuit.

Director’s Reports

RDCK Directors provide monthly reports outlining what they have been working on. Click here to read the February reports in the Board minutes.

RDCK Quarterly Report

For the latest RDCK Quarterly Report, which details the current projects and initiatives of the RDCK, please follow the link.

Nelson, BC: The public engagement project, Reimagining Recreation Services in the Castlegar & District Area, has come to a close and the final report is now available online. The final report summarizes the three phases of the project, all the key information collected during the entire engagement process – highlighting what the community shared and drawing conclusions from the feedback, as well as outlining potential future steps for the Castlegar & District Recreation Commission.

Read the Final Report

Key Highlights of the Final Report:

• Key Findings: The report shares the main ideas and feedback from the community, focusing on what residents want and need from recreation services in the Castlegar & District Area.
• Main Conclusions: The final report shares conclusions drawn from analyzing all three phases of feedback. The conclusions will guide future decisions made.
• Next Steps: The final report includes recommendations and suggests the next steps for the Recreation Commission as they move into planning how to improve or change recreation services in the community.

Next Steps for the Community:

The Castlegar & District Recreation Commission has reviewed the final report and has directed staff to bring back further information to evaluate the tax contributions needed to support a future project, based on the information gathered in the phase 2 survey. The Commission remains committed to ensuring the community’s voice is central in the decision-making process as it navigates the future of local recreation services.

“We are extremely grateful to the community for its active participation and valuable feedback throughout this engagement process,” said Brian Bogle, Chair of the Castlegar and District Recreation Commission. “This final report is an essential step as we move into the planning stage, and we will continue to keep residents informed about the next steps as we work towards creating a vibrant recreation environment.”

Review the final report and all three phases’ reports at Reimagining Recreation Services in the Castlegar & District Area | Engage RDCK.

Nelson, BC: The Regional District of Central Kootenay (RDCK) has issued a Water Quality Advisory for users on the South Slocan Water System. The system is located in the community of South Slocan Village approximately 30 km southwest of Nelson and is within RDCK Electoral Area H. The Dam Inn is across Highway 3A and is supplied water from this water system.

The Water Quality Advisory has been issued due to high post-treatment turbidity as a result of rapid snow melt at the spring supply.

While health risks are considered low, the RDCK recommends children, the elderly, people with weakened immune systems, and anyone seeking additional protection drink boiled water or a safe alternative until further notice. For these at-risk populations, water intended for drinking, washing fruits or vegetables, making beverages or ice, or brushing teeth should be boiled for one minute. Boiled water should then be refrigerated in a clean, covered container. Customers could also choose to use bottled or distilled water, or water that has been filtered through a well-maintained treatment device. 

Owners of all public facilities must post a Water Quality Advisory at all sinks or drinking water fountains accessible to the public (alternatively, public fountains and taps may be turned off). As opportunities arise, they must also advise their clientele verbally of the Water Quality Advisory.

The RDCK will be taking measures to reduce risk; water quality will be monitored, and the public will be notified when the RDCK is able to lift the Water Quality Advisory.

We apologize for any inconvenience this might cause and appreciate your cooperation and patience during this time. For more information contact the RDCK (250) 352-8161 or visit our website at www.rdck.ca/water.

Nelson, BC: The Regional District of Central Kootenay (RDCK) is set to pilot a program to divert used cooking oil from sewers and landfills to produce a higher end-use product.  

The project is in partnership with Leduc Industrial Inc., a Cranbrook-based business that provides cooking oil collection services for commercial businesses, restaurants and residents in Creston and the surrounding area. Leduc will collect the recovered cooking oil from the Creston Landfill and convert it into a safe, non-toxic concrete release agent for the construction industry.   

The program is set to commence March 15, 2025, and will run until October 31, 2025, at which point RDCK Staff will report to the RDCK Board of Directors on its effectiveness and make recommendations on continuing and/or expanding into other areas of the RDCK.  

A 2024 survey of both food service businesses and institutions providing commercial food services within the RDCK found only 60% of those surveyed were using cooking oil collection services for disposing of their cooking oil. Some of the barriers to proper disposal were attributed to a lack of storage space and/or the availability of a proper disposal service. It is likely that much of this cooking oil is being dumped with garbage or down the drain, which creates problems such as damage to landfill equipment, sewer system blockages and overflows, and polluting of groundwater and rivers.  

Ferdinand Schmidt, the Director of Infrastructure Services for the Town of Creston, agrees this pilot program is beneficial for both the Town of Creston and the RDCK’s Landfill Operations, and encourages residents and businesses to dispose of oil and grease responsibly. “Simple actions, such as recycling cooking oil instead of pouring it down the drain, can significantly protect our wastewater infrastructure and the environment.” 

RDCK Resource Recovery Manager, Amy Wilson, feels this program will also benefit solid waste operations. “This program will be a win for everyone. Not only will this oil get a second life as a product for the construction industry, it will also help our landfill operations. Sometimes customers place used cooking oil in with their garbage, and I get there aren’t a lot of disposal options, but cooking oil can damage equipment and increase fire risk. Add to that greenhouse gases, like methane, which are generated any time an organic waste is landfilled.” 

Disposing of used cooking oil is free of charge to residents in the Creston area, with a limit of 10 Litres per day. Disposals will be supervised by landfill staff, to ensure contaminants are kept out. This is strictly for used cooking oil, the likes of motor oil, hardened bacon fat, and antifreeze will not be accepted. Disposals can be done during regular business hours at the Creston Landfill. 

For more information visit www.rdck.ca/cookingoil. 

Nelson, BC: The Regional District of Central Kootenay (RDCK) is pleased to announce that effective immediately the Boil Water Notice issued for users on the Lister Water System, in Electoral Area B, has been rescinded.

On February 12, 2025 a Boil Water Notice was issued due to depressurization of the water main supplying the majority of the water system. The Boil Water Notice was issued as a precautionary measure.

The repairs have been completed and water quality tests indicate the water quality is good.

The RDCK appreciates Lister water users’ cooperation and patience during this time and apologizes for the inconvenience experienced.

Click here for a print-friendly PDF version.

Nelson, BC: As part of the Organic Waste Diversion Program at the Regional District of Central Kootenay (RDCK), a new pilot program to subsidize separated organic waste tipping fees for commercial customers has recently been approved by the Board of Directors. This initiative was brought forward to generate more affordable participation in organic waste recycling in the Industrial, Commercial, and Institutional (IC&I) sectors.

Disposal cost of source separated commercial organic waste is currently subsidized at 65% lower than mixed waste ($55/tonne compared to $166.50/tonne). The price of $55/tonne is a specific organic waste disposal rate for the IC&I sector. The standard organic waste tipping fee is currently $106.50/tonne. This subsidized tipping fee is available at all RDCK facilities where organic waste disposal infrastructure exists (Grohman Narrows Transfer Station, Ootischenia Landfill, Creston Landfill, and Central (Salmo) Transfer Station).

This pilot tipping fee subsidy program is approved for the IC&I Sector until January 2026, at which time the outcomes of the subsidized tipping fee will be reviewed by the Board of Directors.

With the support of the RDCK, the Nelson and District Chamber of Commerce Business Climate Advisor has been working to provide education and advocacy for affordable, effective solutions to business’s waste disposal needs. By diverting compostable materials from mixed waste, businesses have the opportunity to both save money and help the environment.

In addition to the tipping fee subsidy, the RDCK Resource Recovery department will provide up to a $400 rebate for businesses in Nelson and surrounding areas towards the purchase of collection containers and supplies for starting organics recycling in their operations.

The $400 rebate is available for the first 25 participants on a first come, first serve basis, with application requests being sent via email to the Resource Recovery Department Organics Coordinator: organics@rdck.bc.ca.

The rebate program may be available to other municipalities and areas with access to organics disposal, should the business community express interest. Access to organics disposal is available to those with collection services, or who can self-haul commercial organic waste to an RDCK disposal facility. Commercial organic waste hauling services have been confirmed as available in the Nelson area, so now is a great time to connect with your contracted waste collection service provider or reach out to the RDCK to be connected to potential services. 

RDCK staff are also able to provide education, and program implementation support at the request of a business. Staff can provide operation managers with front and back of house waste sorting recommendations, collection bin sitting support, and liaise with waste haulers to advocate for affordable, safe, and effective services.

An information session is being hosted by the Nelson Chamber of Commerce on February 24 from 8:30 am to 10:00 am to discuss these changes and opportunities for increased waste diversion and cost savings. RDCK staff will be available to answer questions and provide support and resources for setting up organic waste recycling in IC&I operations. Registration is free, and can be completed at https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/ici-organics-bin-pilot-program-info-session-tickets-1223805458069?aff=oddtdtcreator.

A survey to help the RDCK better understand current waste disposal practices and barriers in the IC&I sector, as well as additional information about this initiative, including example signage and resources for starting organic waste recycling for commercial operations can be found online at https://engage.rdck.ca/ici-organics.

The RDCK Board of Directors has also directed the Resource Recovery Department to assess the feasibility of regulating organics disposal for the IC&I Sector, and to provide a framework for implementing some form of regulation on landfilling organic waste where diversion services exist. This feasibility study will be provided to the Board in the fall of 2025.

Nelson, BC: The Regional District of Central Kootenay (RDCK) has issued a Boil Water Notice for users on the Lister Water System. The system is located in the community of Lister, within RDCK Electoral Area B.

The Boil Water Notice has been issued as a precautionary measure due to depressurization of the distribution system.

The RDCK and Interior Health recommend that all customers drink boiled water or a safe alternative until further notice. Water intended for drinking, washing fruits and vegetables, making beverages or ice, or brushing teeth should be boiled for one minute. Boiled water should then be refrigerated in a clean, covered container. Customers could also choose to use bottled or distilled water.

Owners of all public facilities must post a Boil Water Notice at all sinks or drinking water fountains accessible to the public (alternatively, public fountains and taps may be turned off). As opportunities arise, they must also advise their clientele verbally of the Boil Water Notice.

The RDCK will be taking measures to reduce risk; water quality will be monitored, and the public will be notified when the RDCK is able to lift the Boil Water Notice.

We apologize for any inconvenience this might cause and appreciate your cooperation and patience during this time.  For more information contact the RDCK (250) 352-8161 or visit our website at www.rdck.ca/water.

Click here for a print-friendly PDF version.