Category: Other Updates
BCTS Operating Plan Feedback
Here’s the feedback I sent to BC Timber Sales re their public consultation on their five year operating plan. Public consultation closed on March 18, 2022. Dear BCTS, I am writing to express my deep …
RD Course Offered Again!
In less than eight months rural residents from Egmont to Gambier Island will head to the polls to vote for an “Electoral Area Director”. But what does an EA Director do? And what is a …
Short Term Rentals: Real action needed for rural areas
I sent the following letter to the Union of BC Municipalities and the Minister of Municipal Affairs on November 24, 2021. Dear UBCM, I am writing to express my disappointment in UBCM’s long awaited report …
Come Hell or High Water
This highly recommended episode of CBC’s Fifth Estate analyzes BC’s failure to plan for floods in the Fraser Valley. A similar scenario is playing out with stormwater management, except that responsibility for managing it hasn’t …
Local governments respond to climate change
I was featured in an August 23, 2021 article in the Nelson Times. ‘We knew it was coming’: Climate Caucus responds to dire climate change report
Where there’s Fire there’s Smoke
Backyard Burning in Elphinstone Backyard burning is permitted over the winter, from October 15 to April 15. Vegetation that originates on your property is the only material that may be burned. Do not burn garbage, construction …
“Corridor Study” Fails on Every Count
On January 21 staff from the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure presented their Hwy 101 Corridor Study to the Transportation Advisory Committee. I came away from the experience feeling like a patient with a badly …
Streamkeepers Explore Chaster Creekshed
I went out with the Streamkeepers on July 12 to assess the condition of Chaster Creek above the lodge and below the highway. This was no casual stroll. We waded upstream among extremely slippery rocks …
Why Spray Knotweed?
In response to a query from Area D Director, Andreas Tize, about knotweed spraying, we recently received this very thorough letter from Crystal Chadburn, Senior Invasive Plant Specialist with FLNRORD. As you likely know, invasive knotweeds are …
All About Elphinstone Aggregates
On April 2, I joined Town of Gibsons councillor David Croal, SCRD Area F director Mark Hiltz, and Area D director Andreas Tize on a visit to Elphinstone Aggregates, led by owner Julian Burtnick. I’d …