Editor's note: The RDCK May 15 meeting included public opposition to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency's plan to cull nearly 400 ostriches at a farm in Edgewood that were found to have avian flu. For more on that, and the RDCK decision to keep bird carcasses out of its landfills until further testing is complete, click here.
The Regional District of Central Kootenay will apply to the Community Works Fund for $652,400 to complete architectural assessments of 19 fire halls across the region.
The project will include assessment of 17 halls that are slated to receive new vehicle exhaust extraction systems: Slocan, Winlaw, Crescent Valley, Passmore, Riondel, Robson, Harrop, North Shore, Ootishenia, Pass Creek, Balfour, Beasley, Blewett, Canyon Lister, Wynndel, Yahk, and Ymir. Two other halls – Kaslo and Tarrys – will also be included in the project, to ensure data is comprehensive.
The facility condition assessments will help the RDCK prepare for future planning and asset management, to ensure all fire halls meet safety and functionality standards. Expenses include consultants, contractor testing, project management and a contingency.
Sandon Historical Society’s ReDi grant
The board approved the Sandon Historical Society’s ReDi grant despite complaints received from two Sandon residents.
Hal Wright and Vida Turok both wrote letters to Area H Director Walter Popoff. Wright asks that the board deny the funding request, while Turok asks that funding approval be paused until the society consults with local stakeholders.
In his letter, Wright lists several complaints about the society, and claims the society’s proposed signage “is intended to divert the public away” from other Sandon businesses. Turok says society representatives have not spoken with her or Wright, who own property very near the proposed sign location.
After reviewing the complaints, as required by the RDCK’s CBT Grant Program Dispute Resolution Process Policy, Popoff said he found no issue with the application.
He said the application was reviewed by RDCK grants staff, and forwarded to himself along with 76 other applications. All were considered eligible for funding by the Area H Selection Committee, which considered resident feedback and local relevance of the requests. He recommended that the board approve Area H funding recommendations as submitted, including the society's application.
New Denver Director Leonard Casley said ReDi grant decisions may not always be liked by everyone, but there is a process there that is fair and equal to everyone.
The Sandon Historical Society will receive $500 from the Area H ReDi grant pool for museum upgrades. It will also receive $1,000 from both the New Denver and Silverton pools.
BC Timber Sales
The RDCK will send a letter to BC Timber Sales (BCTS) regarding Operating Plan 26, which includes timber harvesting and road construction plans affecting electoral Areas G, J, and K. BCTS submitted the operating plan to the RDCK for review and comment.
Eleven blocks and two proposed roads are located in Area K in the Barnes Creek, Snow Creek, and Burton (Trout) Creek watersheds. Six blocks and two roads are proposed in Area J, and 17 blocks and 15 roads in Area G.
In the letter, the RDCK requests that the strictest regulations for forest development are upheld within environmentally sensitive areas, hazard areas, and areas upstream of domestic water uses.
“The natural environment is of significant value to the economy and livelihood of the rural electoral areas, and is recognized for its inherent value to wildlife and the ecological functioning of the area,” reads the draft letter.
The letter encourages forest managers to ensure the timber extraction rate doesn’t compromise the long-term productivity of the forest, and that silviculture methods are used to promote healthy forests and minimize fire hazards.
During discussions at the Rural Affairs Committee meeting on May 15, directors agreed to include mention of the effects of beetle kill, and that BCTS should pay attention to any opportunity to trap beetles during each cut.
Rec Commission grants
Lucerne Elementary Secondary School, Goat Mountain Kids Society, and North Slocan Trails Society received grants from Recreation Commission No. 6.
Lucerne will use $500 for a pitching machine, bats, helmets, and balls for school use and the after-school baseball program.
Goat Mountain received $1,000 for new helmets for the daycare in New Denver.
North Slocan Trails Society will use $1,750 to develop a trail system masterplan and layout for a non-motorized trail system in the recreation reserve on Ranch Ridge.
The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 20 in Nakusp, and the Rotary Club of Nakusp received grants from Recreation Commission No. 4.
The Legion will use $2,800 for an annual Halloween event. The Rotary will use $2,500 to bring outdoor fitness equipment to the community.
Edgewood Community club and Burton Fire brigade
The board approved two recommendations brought forward by Area K Director Teresa Weatherhead. Both direct staff to prepare service case analyses for the Edgewood Community Club Society (ECCS), and the Burton Volunteer Fire Brigade Society. Service case analyses determine the cost of the services, and the tax implications for the residents who would be paying for the services.
ECCS recently received a donation of three acres of land from a local resident. The service would manage community-owned lands, and provide recreation, social, and community services to the Edgewood community.
The Burton Volunteer Fire Brigade has been successfully actioning fires since 2010. Establishing a service would support the brigade in the fire suppression services it already provides for the community.
