Audio
is available for
Regional
District Board
meetings
- MP3 files will
be available in
the days
following a
Regional Board
meeting.
Please select
the appropriate
meeting date
file to link to
the Audio MP3
file for that
meeting.
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require the free
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Campfire Ban Lifted
in Many Central Okanagan
Areas
The campfire ban that’s
been in place throughout
the Regional District of
Central Okanagan
municipalities since
late July has been
lifted in several
areas.
This action affecting
the District’s of West
Kelowna and Lake Country
and the Regional
District Fire Department
areas of Joe Rich,
Ellison, Wilson’s
Landing and North
Westside coincides with
the similar announcement
today by the Ministry of
Forest and Range across
the Kamloops Fire Centre
area within BC Parks,
Crown and private lands.
The ban on campfires
will remain in place in
the District of
Peachland until there’s
a significant rainfall.
Campfires are not
allowed at anytime
within the City of
Kelowna. Residents are
urged to check with
their local fire
department to determine
if there are any
specific regulations
regarding campfires
within their
jurisdiction.
Central Okanagan
residents are reminded
that open burning is not
allowed at this time of
year and that local
bylaws prohibit the use
of any fireworks at any
time throughout the
Central Okanagan.
Violators could receive
a fine and be charged
the cost of the fire
department response to a
burning complaint.
Residents are encouraged
to report anyone who is
illegally burning by
calling the Regional
Fire Dispatch Centre at
250-469-8577.
(August 30, 2010)
Back to Top
Pier Construction
Underway at Bertram
Creek Regional Park
Bertram Creek Regional
Park visitors will
notice some shoreline
and in water
construction until the
end of September. For
their safety, park users
are asked to stay out of
areas where equipment is
working.
A new Fishing/Viewing
Pier will be installed
at the east end of the
main park beach on
Okanagan Lake providing
passive recreational
fishing and viewing
opportunities for park
visitors. The existing
pier located at the west
end of the swim area
will be removed by the
Regional District’s
contractor by September
30th. The
foreshore in the area of
existing pier will be
restored to a natural
condition during the
summer of 2011.
View Map
The construction of the
new pier coincides with
the Ministry of
Environment’s window for
in-water projects before
the annual shoreline
Kokanee spawning
season. It also meets
the objectives of the
Ministry’s Okanagan
Region Large Lakes
Foreshore Protocol.
This project will also
see the improved safety
of swimmers using the
marked swim area,
replacement of an aging
dock structure and the
protection of
environmentally
sensitive Kokanee
habitat.
Bertram Creek Regional
Park, located along the
south end of Lakeshore
Road, has seen a
dramatic increase in
both land and water
visitors which has
increased the number of
potential conflicts
between swimmers and
boaters. This project
will separate the two
recreational groups into
two distinct areas of
the park. Swimmer’s
will continue to use the
marked area to the east
of the park’s rocky
outcropping into
Okanagan Lake while its
envisioned that boaters
will have access to the
west of the lake
outcropping, in the area
that’s known as boater’s
beach. The 2011
Regional District budget
is expected to include
the following proposed
boating amenities in the
boater’s beach area: an
increase in short-term
moorage buoys, access to
the shore for boats to
drop off passengers, and
a new swim area to
assist boaters wishing
to access the shore
safely once moored.
(August 24, 2010)
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Get to know the
Kokanee!
This is a great time of
the year to get to know
the Kokanee. Regional
Parks Services is
providing several
opportunities for you
and your family to make
the Kokanee connection!
Like the land-locked
salmon returning for
fall spawning, the very
popular exhibit
‘Something’s Fishy – Get
to know the Kokanee’
is back at the
Environmental Education
Centre for the Okanagan
(EECO) for its annual
appearance. The exhibit
runs through October and
the EECO is open daily.
The exhibit coincides
with a number of special
events all focused on
this signal that fall is
on its way and that
Central Okanagan creeks
will soon turn a
shimmering red tinge
with salmon returning to
lay their eggs.
Regional District
Communications
Coordinator Bruce Smith
says, “Our fall fish
programs begin Saturday,
August 28th
at Hardy Falls Regional
Park just off Highway 97
at the south end of Peachland and in
Mission
Creek Regional Park at
Springfield and Durnin
Roads in Kelowna. Parks
Services interpreters
will be on hand each
weekend from
noon to 4:00 pm through Sunday,
October 10th
to provide information
about this example of
nature at work.”
Each weekday from
September 13th
to October 1st,
interpretive programs
will be offered for
schools from 9:00 am to
2:00 pm. Teachers may
book programs by
contacting the EECO
directly at
250-469-6140. The
school programs are
provided by donation,
and are an extremely
popular field trip with
students.
Smith says, “On
Saturday, September 4th,
the annual Kokanee
Walk/Run will be held.
We’re working with the
Running Room to host the
annual event to raise
funds for the Friends of
Mission Creek. There is
an eight-kilometre fun
run and walk and a
16-kilometre run with
the course along phase
two of the Mission Creek
Greenway. Contact the
Running Room in Orchard
Plaza or the EECO for
entry details and
registration.”
He adds, “The highlight
of spawning season
though is the Kokanee
Salmon Festival. It goes
Sunday, September 19th
from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm
in Mission Creek
Regional Park.
Interpreters will be
available to explain the
kokanee spawning cycle,
you can take part in
various fishy activities
and there will be
entertainers and
musicians performing
throughout the day.”
Smith says, “We and the
Peachland Sportsmen
Association will also
have a mini-festival set
up at Hardy Falls
Regional Park in
Peachland with Salmon
interpreters, crafts,
activities and
refreshments for the
entire family.”
Park visitors should be
aware of wildlife that
depends on fish for
food. Keep pets on leash
along designated trails
and out of any streams
or creeks. During the
spawning season, bears
have frequently been
sighted in both Mission
Creek and Hardy Falls
Regional Parks. Please
be Bear Aware: travel
in a group and make
noise to reduce the
chance of encountering a
bear on the trails.
(August 20, 2010)
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Be Bear Aware in
Regional Parks
They’re coming back!
Regional District Parks
Services staff in
Mission Creek Regional
Park has received
several reports of bear
sightings in the park,
along the Mission Creek
Greenway and in
Woodhaven Nature
Conservancy Regional
Park. Evidence
of bear activity has
also been spotted in
Bertram Creek, Glen
Canyon, Kalamoir and
Rose Valley Regional
Parks.
Communications
Coordinator Bruce Smith
says, “As the higher
elevation food sources
start to decline and
fruit crops ripen in the
valley below, this is
the time of year that we
start to receive more
reports of bears in some
of our Regional Parks.
When we start getting
sightings and staff sees
evidence of bears in our
parks and along trails,
we post signs advising
all park users of recent
bear activity.”
“To reduce your chance
of meeting a bear while
hiking, it’s recommended
that you travel in a
group, make noise or
carry something that
makes noise, such as a
bell.” Smith says,
“We’ve already noticed
some Kokanee starting to
return to Mission
Creek. As we get closer
to the fall fish
spawning season, it’s
not unusual for park
visitors to encounter
bears along local creeks
and rivers, as the fish
are a plentiful source
of food. Be aware that
bears fishing for food
may not hear you over
the noise of the creek
water. If you see a
bear, give it plenty of
space and stay well away
from it.”
People should respect
all bears and anticipate
and avoid encounters
with them whenever
possible. Bears can be
aggressive, especially
when defending their
food or their cubs.
Bears also have
excellent senses of
smell and hearing, and
better sight than you
might believe. For
their safety, dog owners
are reminded when in
Regional Parks that
their pets must be
leashed and kept on
trails at all times.
Provincial Conservation
Officers are advised of
the bear sightings and
along with Regional
Parks staff, monitor the
situation in local
parks.
As well, residents are
reminded to keep any
garbage securely stored
on their property and
please don’t put out
your garbage cart until
the morning of your
regular curbside
collection. That way
you’re not tempting
bears or other wildlife.
Bear Information Links
British Columbia Conservation Foundation Bear Aware program www.bearaware.bc.ca/index.htm
Ministry of Environment
Bear Smart program
www.env.gov.bc.ca/wld/bearsmart/bearsmintro.html
(Updated August 24, 2010)
Back to Top
Wood Stove Change
Out Rebates Still
Available
Wood heating may not be
at the top of your mind
at this time of year,
but with cooler days
ahead, this is a great
time to save some money!
If you’re in the market
to replace an old wood
burning appliance with a
new model, the Central
Okanagan Air Quality
program is still able to
help you make the switch
to a cleaner burning,
high efficiency unit.
Regional Air Quality
Program Coordinator
Nicole Marzinzik says,
“$250 rebates under the
Wood Stove Change Out
Program are still
available to anyone
buying a qualifying new
EPA/CSA
emission-approved wood,
gas, pellet or electric
appliance and recycling
their old smoke-belching
wood stove or insert
through participating
Central Okanagan
retailers. And you may
also qualify for further
savings through energy
utilities and the
Provincial LiveSmart
program that offer
rewards for homeowners
making energy efficiency
upgrades.”
Since 2000, the ‘Wood
Stove Change Out
Program’ has
resulted in over 1,300
old wood burning units
traded in for new,
certified ones that burn
up to one third less
wood and see less smoke
leaving the chimney.
Marzinzik adds, “To
learn more about the
program and smart wood
heating visit
the
Air Quality Program
webpage. You’ll also
find links to several
interesting and
informative videos
outlining proper burning
techniques and seasoning
of fire wood.”
The ‘Wood Stove
Change Out Program’
is a clean air
initiative of the
Central Okanagan and
Okanagan-Similkameen
regional districts.
(August 18, 2010)
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Gator Aids Dog
Control Presence
The latest addition to
the
Regional Dog Control
fleet provides added
mobility for patrols of
waterfront and other
park areas.
Dog Control officers are
now using a newly
equipped and brightly
painted green Gator
vehicle as another tool
to assist with
enforcement duties along
more than
60 kilometers
of roads linking
lakeshore parks and
linear corridors within
the City of Kelowna.
Chief Bylaw Enforcement
Officer Rhoda Mueller
says, “Our department
purchased the Gator from
Parks Services and our
innovative mechanic shop
staff have revamped it,
equipping it with
storage and even a
mobile kennel area in
case we have to
transport dogs picked up
while on patrol. The
Gator gives us increased
flexibility to ensure
people using parks are
able to enjoy their
experience, especially
along the popular
waterfront corridor. By
being more visible more
often in such high-use,
off road locations,
we’ll have a greater
opportunity to raise
public awareness and
education about
responsible dog
ownership.”
During the summer
months, Dog Control
officers also conduct
patrols in park areas
and trails using
bicycles in addition to
the traditional truck
vehicle fleet.
Regular enforcement of
the Regional District of
Central Okanagan Dog
Regulation and
Impounding Bylaw No. 366
resumed in late June
throughout the region
and member
municipalities after an
appeal was filed in
connection with a June
10th Supreme
Court ruling related to
Section 17.5 of the
bylaw. This section
requires dog owners to
control their dog to
ensure that it doesn’t
without provocation,
aggressively pursue,
inflict minor injury,
harass, chase or
approach a person on
public or private
property in an attitude
of attack. The Regional
District believes the
Statutory Authority to
enter in Service
Agreements with member
municipalities for the
delivery of bylaw
enforcement services
does include Bylaw No.
366, which has
applicability throughout
the Regional District of
Central Okanagan and
City of Kelowna, along
with other member
municipalities. The
District believes the
authority for these
working relationships
between local
governments comes from
the Local Government Act
and is available and
applicable to all local
governments in British
Columbia.
Pending a decision on
the case from the BC
Court of Appeal, in
order to ensure
continued public
protection and safety,
Dog Control Officers
will continue to enforce
all other applicable
sections of the bylaw
throughout
municipalities in the
region. In the event of
a serious dog attack,
offending animals can be
seized under the
authority of the
Community Charter.
Residents should also be
aware that any
dog-related tickets
issued for violations
within the Regional Park
system are made either
under the Regional Parks
Regulation Bylaw No.
1105 or Bylaw 366. The
Regional Parks bylaw
requires dogs to be on
leash and on designated
trails only within
designated Regional
Parks.
For more information
about the Regional
District of Central
Okanagan Dog Control
program,
follow this link.
(August 17, 2010)
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Forest Fuel
Reduction Projects
Partnership
Reducing the possible
threat of wildfire is
the goal of a
partnership project
underway in the
Trepanier Creek area of
the Regional District of
Central Okanagan (RDCO).
The fuel management work
is a cooperative effort
between the Regional
District and Westbank
First Nation (WFN) on
just over 23-hectares
within the Westbank
First Nation Community
Forest that includes an
area adjacent to the
District of Peachland,
through the Central
Okanagan West Electoral
Area and District of
West Kelowna to
approximately Traders
Cove. View
Map of Treatment Area
A six-person crew
contracted by the WFN’s
forest management
department
Heartland
Economics began falling,
spacing and pruning
trees in this high
priority section just
south of Trepanier Creek
during the week of July
19th. It’s
expected their work will
wrap up by late
September, but may be
extended if the fire
hazard and danger rating
affects the crew’s
ability to safely work
in the forest.
All fuel materials will be
chipped and removed from
the site. No burning
will take place. Signs
have been posted and
neighbours and
recreation groups have
been advised to be aware
of periodic, short
closures of unsanctioned
trails through the
23.75-hectare forest as
trees are cut, spaced,
pruned and cleaned up.
The Regional District and
Westbank First Nation
recognize the importance
of this work in reducing
the future potential for
fire in this area by
removing dead and dying
trees, thinning the
forest understory and
pruning ladder fuels,
all of which can
contribute to the spread
and severity of any
fire.
Regional District Chair
Robert Hobson says,
“This partnership with
the Westbank First
Nation is an excellent
example of our
governments working
together to improve the
safety and security of
all our residents. We
look forward to
completing this and
other joint forest fuel
mitigation projects and
encourage everyone to do
what they can to make
their properties Fire
Smart.” Westbank First
Nation Forestry Manager,
Grant Thompson RPF adds
“This fuel management
project is a
demonstration of WFN’s
commitment to manage the
Westbank First Nation
Community Forest for
multiple values over a
very long time.. These
values include timber,
water, wildlife,
recreation, traditional
uses, visuals and
protection from
wildfire. Projects such
as these will ensure
that all Okanagan
residents will be able
to enjoy and benefit
from of our forests for
many years to come.”
The Canada Economic Action
Plan is providing more
than $166,000 in
Community Adjustment
Funds to the Regional
District of Central
Okanagan for completion
of this work.
This is the second
cooperative joint
RDCO-Westbank First
Nation forest fuel
reduction project this
year. In March, similar
fuel management
treatments were done on
approximately
12-hectares in the WFN
Community Forest,
adjacent to the
Trepanier Forest Service
Road, north-west of the
Okanagan Connector
overpass. Almost
$40,000 in Federal
Community Adjustment
Funds was provided to
the Regional District
for this work.
(August 4, 2010)
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RDCO Urges Water
Conservation
With the hot, dry
conditions, the Regional
District of Central
Okanagan is asking
residents to conserve
water. This will help
to ensure adequate water
is available for both
domestic use and fire
protection. By
practicing good water
conservation measures,
reservoirs can be
replenished ensuring
there’s enough water for
everyone.
Customers of the five
Regional District water
systems are reminded
that as of June 15th
each year, Stage 2 water
restrictions are in
effect.
That restricts outdoor
watering to two days
each week. RDCO water
customers with even
number addresses may
irrigate outdoors on
Saturday and Tuesday
while those with odd
addresses may only water
on Sunday and Wednesday.
Under the Regional
District Water Bylaw,
customers with an
automated irrigation
system may only water if
needed on their allotted
day between midnight and
6:00 am, while people
with manual outdoor
irrigation must restrict
their watering if
needed, to between 6:00
am and 11:00 am and 6:00
pm and midnight on their
respective irrigation
day. If you don’t need
to water outdoors on
your allotted day or
time period, please do
not waste water.
The Regional District
water systems service
more than 700 customers
in the following areas:
Killiney Beach,
Westshore Estates,
Falconridge, Sunset
Ranch and Star Place.
Regional District water
customers of the
Killiney Beach and
Westshore Estates
systems, along with
private water utilities
in the boundary of the
North Westside Fire
Protection District are
reminded of the Stage 2
water restriction
requirements to ensure
that there is an
adequate supply of water
available for fire
protection needs.
For more tips on water
conservation inside and
outside your home, visit
the
Regional District
Water System webpage
or
select Quick Links and
Water Systems menu
options.
(August 4, 2010)
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Extended Hours for
North Westside Transfer
Station
North Westside Road
residents within the
Central Okanagan will
now have more time to
drop off their garbage
and recyclables.
The Sugar Loaf Transfer
Station is extending
its’ hours of operation
by an additional four
hours each week.
The longer hours of
operation will continue
until the end of
September.
New Hours:
Monday, Wednesday 8:00 am
until 12:00 pm, Saturday
and Sunday 8:00 am until
2:00 pm.
The Sugarloaf Transfer
Station is located at
Sugarloaf
Mountain/Whiteman Creek
Service Road
approximately 3.2-kilometers past the fire
hall on Udell Road in
Killiney Beach.
Follow this link more information
about the
Regional Waste Reduction
Office program or contact
staff at
250-469-6250 or email
recycle@cord.bc.ca.
(July 28, 2010)
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New Westside
Residential Waste
Disposal and Recycling
Centre Open
Residents living on the
Westside of Okanagan
Lake should be aware of
an important change for
disposing of any excess
solid waste.
The new Westside
Residential Waste
Disposal and Recycling
Centre is now open four
days a week for
residents wishing to
drop off excess garbage,
yard and construction
white wood, drywall,
metals, appliances,
tires and other
materials accepted at
the site of the former
landfill on Asquith Road
in West Kelowna.
Regional District
Communications
Coordinator Bruce Smith
says, “The new waste
disposal facility will
be open every Friday,
Saturday, Sunday and
Monday from 7:30 in the
morning until 4:00 in
the afternoon for
residents who want to
drop off extra materials
from around their home
that they can’t place in
their curbside
containers. Recyclables
and unwanted items for
the Big Brothers/Big
Sisters Reuse-it program
may continue to be
dropped off at the
location during the same
hours, seven days a
week.”
All residential materials
that have been accepted
in the past are still
being accepted at the
new residential waste
disposal and recycling
centre. The same
tipping fees apply based
on weight.
Regional Waste Reduction
Office Manager Peter
Rotheisler says, “The
facilities will continue
to act as a convenient
drop off disposal
location for residents
of West Kelowna,
Peachland, Central
Okanagan West and the
Westbank First Nation.
The new four day -
Friday through Monday
operation for drop off
of garbage, yard and
construction wood and
other excess waste
materials corresponds
with the four busiest
days of the week and
corresponds with the
feedback we received
during Information Open
Houses we hosted during
the spring.”
A number of improvements
have been made to this
temporary location over
the past few months.
The garbage and drywall
disposal areas were
expanded to accommodate
larger collection bins
and more drop off
lanes. The areas for
yard waste and
construction wood waste
drop off have been more
clearly defined with
lock blocks and some of
the key access roads
have been paved to
reduce the impact of
dust on adjacent
neighbours. Rotheisler
adds, “In the months
ahead we’ll continue to
refine and landscape
this area.”
Today also marks the start
of our process to close
the Westside Landfill.
After today, garbage
dropped off at the site
will no longer be buried
there. Instead, it
along with all the other
materials collected will
be transported off the
site for processing.
The garbage, yard waste
and construction wood
will be taken to the
City of Kelowna Glenmore
Landfill, which will be
the only active landfill
for the Central
Okanagan.
The Regional District’s
consultant is finalizing
the extensive details of
a Final Closure Plan for
the Westside Landfill.
It’ll outline ongoing
environmental monitoring
and responsibilities for
the next 25 years.
It’ll also detail
capping, site
topography, drainage and
landscaping. Once
received it’ll be
presented to the
Regional Board for
consideration and then
will be submitted to the
Ministry of Environment
for approval.
(July 16, 2010)
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Greenway Users
Reminded of Trail Use
Etiquette
It’s a great place to take
a stroll or a more
strenuous run in the
shade alongside Mission
Creek. It’s an
important corridor used
by Central Okanagan
cyclists. It’s also a
trail frequented by some
local equestrians.
Mission Creek Greenway
Regional Park is an
extremely popular
recreational trail that
can find multiple user
groups on it at any one
time of the day. In
fact, it’s estimated
well over a thousand
people use the
16.5-kilometer trail
each day. They range
from pedestrians walking
and care givers out with
infants in strollers to
joggers getting some
exercise; cyclists out
for a ride and horse
riders from adjacent
stables exercising their
steeds.
Communications Coordinator
Bruce Smith says, “The
Greenway is a year round
mecca for lovers of the
outdoors. But during
the spring, summer and
fall months, we see a
lot more traffic along
the linear trail and
just as it is on our
roadways with so many
multiple users comes the
potential for periodic
conflicts. Our goal is
to ensure that everyone
using the corridor
shares the Greenway.”
Parks Services Bylaw
Enforcement Officer
Blaise Laveay adds,
“Everyone using the
Greenway and any of the
other trails in our
Regional Park system
should be aware of
proper trail etiquette.
Under the Regional Parks
Bylaw all dogs must be
kept on leash and must
stay on designated
trails. Cyclists
shouldn’t go faster than
ten kilometers an hour
along the trail and
should keep to the right
side of the trail,
unless they are passing
someone on foot. They
should also give an
indication that they are
approaching from behind
by ringing a bell,
honking a horn or simply
vocally acknowledging
their passing to the
left. So that everyone
can share the Greenway,
cyclists and pedestrians
should yield to horse
riders while cyclists
should yield to
pedestrians.”
Animal owners are
reminded to pick up
waste deposited along
the trail. All
residents should
remember that
unauthorized motorized
vehicles are not allowed
along the Greenway.
(July 15, 2010)
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Regional Board
Meeting Audio Available
Audio recordings of
the regular and special
meetings of the Regional
Board are now available.
Starting with the
meeting of June 28th,
2010, Regional Board
meetings are being
recorded and the audio
is being saved as an MP3
file. The file for
each meeting will be
available on the RDCO
website in the days
following the meeting by
selecting the
appropriate meeting date
file in the Board and
Committees -
Agenda link.
To listen you may
require a download of the free
Windows Media Player
(June 30, 2010)
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Improved Water
Management with Gas Tax
Funds
Close to 500 residents
of two water systems of
the Regional District of
Central Okanagan are
receiving new water
meters thanks to
$345,000 from the
federal the Gas Tax
Fund. The Regional
District has contracted
the installation of
meters in homes
connected to the
Killiney
Beach and Westshore Water
utilities. These homes
are the last of the
Regional District’s five
water systems to receive
meters.
“Fresh water is one of our most
treasured natural
resources and it should
be well managed,” said
the Honourable Stockwell
Day, President of the
Treasury Board and
Minister for the
Asia-Pacific Gateway.
“Through the Gas Tax
Fund, the Government of
Canada is supporting the
Central Okanagan
Regional District in its
efforts to improve water
management to ensure the
long-term sustainability
of its communities.”
“The regional district
should be commended for
making this project a
priority,” said Minister
of Community and Rural
Development Ben Stewart.
“Improved water
management is a key
component of
sustainability in the Okanagan Valley.”
Regional District Chair Robert Hobson says,
“Water meters are an
important tool for
measuring the demand for
treated water.
Based on the
experience of other
metered water systems,
the Regional District
anticipates these new
meters will provide an
opportunity for
individuals to reduce
their water bills by
better understanding
their water use and
taking steps to control
their consumption.
The meters should
also result in reduced
repair costs by
extending the life of
existing equipment on
the water systems.”
(Link to
Water Metering Project
webpage)
The Government of
Canada’s Gas Tax Fund is
a tripartite agreement
between Canada,
British Columbia
and the Union of British
Columbia Municipalities
(UBCM) delivering
infrastructure funding
to local governments for
capital projects that
lead to cleaner air,
cleaner water or reduced
greenhouse gas
emissions. UBCM
administers the Gas Tax
Fund in B.C. in
collaboration with
Infrastructure
Canada
and
British Columbia.
“The addition of meters to these water systems
provides a valuable tool
for regional water
conservation,” said UBCM
President Harry Nyce.
“We are very
appreciative of the
federal and provincial
support for this
improvement to the
region’s
infrastructure.”
For
more information on the
Government of Canada’s
infrastructure
investments in British Columbia, visit
www.creatingjobs.gc.ca.
For information on the Gas
Tax Fund, visit
www.infc.gc.ca.
(June 30, 2010)
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Gibson House Tours
Delve into a bit of local history at the
Gibson Heritage House in
Kopje
Regional Park on Carrs
Landing Road in Lake
Country.
It’s open for tours from
noon to 4:00 pm each
Saturday and Sunday
during July and August.
Regional Parks
staff and volunteers
will guide you through
the 1912 heritage house
which has been restored
and refurnished by
community donations.
For more information on
this and other Regional
Parks programs please
check out
'Your Guide to Regional
Parks 2010’.
or
contact the
Environmental Education
Centre for the Okanagan
at 250-469-6140.
(June 28, 2010)
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Safe Harbour Boat
Launch Temporarily Open
As the busy summer boating
season approaches, the
Okanagan Centre Safe
Harbour Regional Park
main boat launch is
temporarily open again.
Communications Coordinator
Bruce Smith says,
“Higher lake water
levels and more detailed
investigation of the
existing main launch
have identified a
temporary repair that
will be made shortly,
allowing the Regional
District of Central
Okanagan to make the
main launch available
for use by recreational
boaters. This is a
temporary fix so that we
can get the popular
launch back in service
for the recreational
boating community. Our
staff will monitor the
lake level and the
condition of the boat
launch daily.”
Smith adds, “We are still
planning to replace the
complete launch
structure later this
summer as new,
engineered pads must be
installed. This will
likely result in another
temporary closure while
work takes place on
site, the concrete is
poured, cured and the
new pads are installed.
We recently received the
environmental approvals
we were seeking to
conduct work in the
water while protecting
the fish spawning
habitat.”
The main launch has been
closed since January
because the farthest
pads were damaged and
separating, which
combined with low lake
water levels could
result in potential
damage to vehicles,
trailers and boats.
Smith says, “We appreciate
the patience of
neighbours, recreational
boaters and other users
of the Okanagan Centre
Safe Harbour Regional
Park and have
endeavoured
to keep them informed of
the status of the boat
launch. We’ll continue
to keep everyone
informed of any future
closure plans at the
facility. Throughout
though, the Safe Harbour
has been and remains
available to boaters for
shelter and refuge
during storms, poor
weather or any other
emergency needs.”
Between May 1st
and September 30th,
the gate to the Regional
Park, boat launch, small
beach and parking area
along Okanagan Centre
Road in Lake Country is
locked daily from 10:00
pm to 5:00 am.
(June 17, 2010)
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Tussock Moth Aerial
Spray Program Complete
June 16th Update
The Regional District of
Central Okanagan and
Ministry of Forests and
Range have completed the
remaining aerial
pesticide applications
in their program to
manage the Douglas-fir
Tussock Moth
infestation.
Earlier this morning, a
low flying helicopter
applied the licensed
biological pesticide
Foray 48B (active
ingredient B.t.k.) on
identified private lands
in the upper Ellison
area of Central Okanagan
East Electoral Area and
in Stephen’s Coyote
Ridge Regional Park and
adjacent private
properties. The park
will reopen this
afternoon and has signs
posted advising of the
recent pesticide
application.
With yesterday’s aerial
application of the
pesticide in the
Trepanier area of
Central Okanagan West,
the Regional District
has completed planned
treatments under the
Pesticide Use Permit
issued by the Ministry
of Environment. The
Ministry of Forests and
Range will continue to
monitor insect activity.
Residents and
individuals in the
treatment areas should
follow
these
recommendations to
minimize exposure to the
aerial application and
potential drift of the
pesticide.
Spray information and
updates will be also
available on this
webpage
and
the Tussock Moth
Information Line
250-469-6266.
The
Regional District thanks
residents in advance for your
continued patience and
support.
General Information
Signs have been posted at
entrances to all three
Regional Parks included
in the spraying program
advising they have
recently been treated
with the licensed
biological pesticide
Foray 48B (active
ingredient - B.t.k.).
It’s recommended all
property owners within
the identified treatment
areas follow these
recommendations to
minimize any potential
exposure to the e
pesticide:
- After aerial
application,
residents within
treatment areas
should wash all
fruit and vegetables
from home gardens
before eating.
-
Wipe down
children’s play
structures and any
other structures
used by children.
- The spray
does not cause
damage to
automobile, house,
boat or trailer
paints or finishes.
If left to harden it
can be removed with
water but may
require more effort.
The sooner it is
washed off, the
easier it is to
remove.
The permit and final
treatment area maps for
the spray program are
available for viewing at
the Regional District
office, 1450 KLO Road in
Kelowna (weekdays 8:00
am to 4:00 pm excluding
holidays) or on the
Regional District
website.
The website also has
links
to more
information and
documents regarding the
Douglas fir Tussock
Moth, the pesticide B.t.k and the RDCO and
Ministry of Forests and
Range spray programs.
There is also a link to
the HealthLinkBC website
www.healthlinkbc.ca/kbaltindex.asp
and a Health File on
‘Spraying for the gypsy
moth’ (www.healthlinkbc.ca/healthfiles/hfile90.stm).
Information from public
health nurses is also
available 24 hours a day
by dialing HealthLinkBC
at 8-1-1.
Information may also be
obtained from the
Penticton office of the
Ministry of Environment
at 250-490-8200 or
visiting the Ministry’s
Integrated Pest
Management webpage at
www.env.gov.bc.ca/epd/ipmp/
or the Pest Management
Regulatory Agency
website
www.hc-sc.gc.ca/cps-spc/pest/index-eng.php
The Regional District is
working in conjunction
with the City of Kelowna
and Ministry of Forests
and Range in
coordination of this
aerial spraying
program. The
infestation of
Douglas-fir Tussock Moth
has been identified by
the Ministry of Forests
and Range on forested
Crown land and public
and private properties
in these high priority
areas. The insect
defoliates and kills
trees very quickly
posing a fire hazard but
may also cause health
issues with humans, dogs
and horses through a
condition known as
Tussockosis, related to
the hairs of the moth.
Some people suffer mild
allergic type reactions
ranging from general
itchiness, watery eyes
and skin rashes while in
rare instances more
severe respiratory
conditions are possible.
Background:
Ministry of Forests and
Range entomologist Dr.
Lorraine Maclauchlan
provided
information to the
Regional District
Governance and Services
Committee at its August
2009 meeting and an
update was provided
from Parks Services
staff in September 2009.
Central Okanagan
residents and property
owners may wish to view
the following links to
the Ministry of Forests
and Range for more
information and
documents regarding this
insect pest:
(updated June 16, 2010)
Back to Top
Summer Day Camp
Registration Underway
Do you know what your
children will be doing
over the summer
holidays?
Youth aged five through
11 will have a blast
during July and August
as once again the
Regional District offers
another summer of Junior
Naturalist Day Camps.
Trained leaders will
guide budding
naturalists in these
three, four and five,
half-day camps at four
different Regional
Parks. They’ll take
part in fun activities
and games, while
learning about nature
and our environment.
Children and youth aged
five to seven years and
eight to 11 years attend
the camps that operate
weekday mornings from
9:00 am until noon or
afternoons from 1:00 pm
to 4:00 pm. The cost
for a three half-day
camp is $60 per child,
$80 per child for a four
half-day camp or $100
per child for the five
half-day camp.
Also returning this year
is a special
three-morning program
for parents of pre-schoolers
(3 and 4 year olds) at
Mission Creek Regional
Park. It runs from 9:00
am to 12:00 pm on August
4th, 5th
and 6th.
Registration for this
special program is $60.
Please register at the
EECO (Environmental
Education Centre for the
Okanagan) in Mission
Creek Regional Park, by
emailing
eeco@cord.bc.ca
or by calling the centre
at 250-469-6140.
Program information and
forms are also available
on the Regional Parks
Youth Summer Programs
page.
For more information
about the Junior
Naturalists Day Camp
program, dates and
locations, check out
'Your
Guide to Regional Parks
2010’. It’s
also available at municipal
offices, recreation and
visitor centres from
Lake Country to
Peachland.
(May 28, 2010)
Back to Top
Recycle Your Plastic
Flower Pots and Plant
Trays!
Remember to lift the blue
lid after you’ve done
any gardening around
your home! Once you have
put in the elbow grease
and finished your
planting, if you’re not
going to re-use them,
those plastic flowerpots
and plant trays can all
be recycled!
From large nursery
flowerpots for shrubs
and trees to small
planting trays for
annual bedding plants,
perennials, vegetables,
and herbs, simply wipe
out the dirt and put
them in your recycling
cart. These plastic pots
and trays can also be
taken to your nearest
recycling depot.
Waste Reduction
Facilitator Rae Stewart
reminds us, “All
household plastics #1
through 7 are accepted
in the
curbside
recycling program, and
these plastics from your
plants are no different.
Just make sure your
garden pots or trays are
rinsed clean of all dirt
before you recycle them.
Unfortunately, the
little plastic tags that
identify the plants
cannot be recycled.
They’re too small for
workers at Metro Waste
Paper Recovery to pick
up off a moving conveyor
while wearing
safety gloves, so
the tags must be put
into regular garbage
instead.”
Deanne Stephenson Manager
of Metro Waste Paper
Recovery says, “Our
Customers are watching
closely for quality
issues so keeping the
plastics clear of dirt,
wooden stakes and metal
twist ties is
essential.”
Businesses like nurseries,
landscape design
contractors and farmers
can
contact Metro
Waste Paper Recovery at
250-491-2242 to arrange
the recycling of their
plastics.
For more info on
recycling and other
waste reduction program
visit the
Regional Waste Reduction
Office webpage
(May 28, 2010)
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Mission Creek
Greenway Closure
From June 1st
to approximately October
1st, you
won’t be able to cross
the Mission Creek
Greenway Regional Park
at Gordon Drive.
That area will be
completely closed while
the City of Kelowna
replaces the Gordon
Drive bridge as part of
the four lane road
widening and
recreational corridor
project.
Signs have been posted
at key access points
along the Mission Creek
Greenway multi-use
trail, advising that you
cannot pass through
Gordon Drive while the
bridge construction
project is underway.
Trail turn-arounds will
be in place at the
Gordon Drive
construction site from
both the Lakeshore Road
access to the west and
the Casorso Road access
from the east.
A number of alternate
trailhead and parking
locations are available
during the construction
closure. People can
still access the Mission
Creek Greenway and
parking areas at KLO
Road, Casorso Road,
Mission Creek Regional
Park (Springfield and
Durnin Roads and at the
end of Ziprick Road) and
the Hollywood Road south
entrance to Scenic
Canyon Regional Park.
When the bridge
replacement and road
widening is complete, an
underpass will provide
safe access to the
popular regional
Greenway recreational
trail.
Follow these links for
information regarding
Mission Creek Greenway
Regional Park and
other access trailheads and parking facilities. For
information regarding
the Gordon Drive Project
view this
news release or visit the City of
Kelowna website:
kelowna.ca/cityprojects
(May 26, 2010)
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'In the line of
Fire' Exhibit
As a species, humans
have a fascination with
fire. Perhaps this
goes back to those times
when our ancestors
required the flickering
flames for survival,
keeping themselves warm
and cooking their catch.
The very word ‘Fire’
conjures different
images and emotions,
from fear and
destruction, to warmth
and perhaps even
peacefulness. As
people have tamed fire
for their advantage, we
haven’t forgotten that
it’s a powerful force in
nature. Fire is an
important factor in the
health of our ecosystems
and plays a part in the
cycle of growth, death
and decay and rebirth in
our forests.
Until mid-August you’re
invited to explore and
learn more about fire’s
role in nature at the
‘In the line of Fire’
exhibit at the
Environmental Education
Centre for the Okanagan
in Mission Creek
Regional Park,
Springfield and Durnin
Roads. It’s open daily
from 10:00 am to 5:00
pm.
Visitors will discover
the aspects of fire that
are beneficial to
forests, the adaptations
plants and animals have
developed to survive the
flames and what steps
you and your family can
take to minimize the
impact of fire in
interface areas by
picking up a
Homeowners FireSmart
Manual. As
well, young children can
dress up as firefighters
and use their
extinguishers to put out
fires while adults can
test their knowledge
about wildfires.
For more information
about this and other
programs in Regional
Parks, visit the
Regional Parks webpage
or pick up a copy of
‘'Your
Guide to Regional Parks
2010', available
at local government
offices and visitor
centres throughout the
Central Okanagan.
(May 19, 2010)
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