Regional District of Central Okanagan: Board and Committees

The Air Quality Committee was disbanded with the incorporation of the Westside District Municipality in December 2007. Air Quality issues are now being discussed by the Governance and Services Committee. Link to Regional Board and Committee Schedule or Governance and Services Committee webpage.

The Air Quality Committee was made up of members of the Regional Board. When it met during 2007, Westside Director David Knowles was the Chair, while Kelowna Mayor Sharon Shepherd acted as Vice-Chair.

The Committee was charged with the development and implementation of an Air Quality Management Plan for the Regional District of the Central Okanagan subject to Regional Board approval. (The management plan will remain flexible and responsive to changing public priorities, to financial partnerships, to new program opportunities and to current research.) On May 14, 2007 the Regional Board adopted the Central Okanagan Air Quality Management Plan

Public and Expert Input: Public input was invited on appropriate issues relevant to the development of the Air Quality Management Plan. Technical, professional or expert input on specific issues was sought directly with the appropriate individuals, groups, or organizations capable of providing it.

Air Quality Plan Development Process:

Determine the existing state and projected trends for the air quality in the Central Okanagan area.
Determine the potential health effects related to the state and projected trends of air quality in the Central Okanagan area.
Develop air quality management goals. Determination that the necessary authorities can be coordinated or put in place to meet air quality management goals.
Determine the additional data requirements and research needs necessary to develop the air quality management plan including the identification of potential funding sources and undertake to secure such.
Draft the Air Quality Management Plan and prepare implementation strategies to attain the air quality goals.
Submit the draft plan and implementation strategies for review and approval of affected agencies.
Finalize the plan and co-ordinate the implementation.

General Objectives of the Committee:

Facilitate an open process of communication on regional air quality management issues among private sector, government (municipal, provincial, federal and international), non-government public interest groups and the general public.
Establish an on-going opportunity for stakeholders to keep up to date and informed on Central Okanagan air quality management progress and on air quality initiatives being developed or implemented.
Provide a forum for consultation partners and stakeholders to present proposed new initiatives for the purpose of review, discussion and reporting back to constituent groups.
Provide advice and feedback among consultation partners, agency staff and stakeholders on air quality management priorities and concerns.

Goals of the Committee: Within the Central Okanagan Region, air quality management activities are directed at achieving the following goals.

To ensure that citizens in the Central Okanagan have healthy air to breathe.
To integrate regional air quality goals into all policies, including land use & transportation planning.
To educate and inform communities on air quality issues.
To lead by example and bring about changes in behaviour as needed to protect air quality.
To ensure comprehensive monitoring of air quality.
To harmonize regional air quality initiatives with the objectives of other agencies and levels of government.

Issues to deal with: Air Quality Monitoring, Education and Awareness and Public Involvement including but not limited to matters such as: Fine Particulates, Ozone, Vehicle Emissions, Vehicle Numbers, Open Burning, Wood Burning Appliances, Industrial Emissions, Dust from Roads, Dust from Industry, Managing Air Quality, Co-ordination with other groups and organizations, Agency Co-operation, Episode Management, Economic Issues, Greenhouse Gas Reductions, Energy Efficiency, Integrated Land Use Planning, Transportation Planning, Total Maximum Daily Load, Emissions Inventory, Health Costs, Speciation Analysis, Dispersion Modeling, and Monitoring Progress

Link for information on Regional Air Quality Program and Link to April 2006 News Release on Air Quality Initiatives Success
Link for the BC Air Quality Health Index website for Kelowna and other BC communities
Link for information on Alternatives to Burning and Outdoor Burning Options for residents of the Central Okanagan.
Link to information on Regional Agricultural Wood Waste Chipping Program
Link to information on Regional Cash for Clunkers Program
Link to 2009 Great Okanagan Woodstove Change Out Program details, Participating Retailers, free Wood Stove Workshop and Showcase
Link to general information on the Regional Wood Stove Change Out Program
Link to information on Vehicle Emissions Clinic Program
Link to information from Natural Resources Canada on Anti-Vehicle Idling initiatives

Meetings of the Air Quality Committee are open to the public. Follow this link to view the 2004 City of Kelowna State of the Environment Newsletter

(NO LONGER ACTIVE - Link to Regional Board and Committee Schedule or Governance and Services Committee webpage.)

Click here for the list of Committee Agenda
Click here for a list of approved Committee Minutes