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RDEK Board Highlights
Access Guardian Contribution Agreement signed
The chair and chief administrative officer of the Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) have signed the contribution agreement with Columbia Basin Trust for the Access Guardian Program. CBT has approved $20,000/year for 2013 and 2014. The five-year Access Guardian Program is entering its second year and has additional funding from the RDEK and Elk Valley municipalities.
Amended Wildfire Hazard Permit requirements for Cranbrook Rural Area
The board adopted Bylaw No. 2425 amending the guidelines and procedures for issuing wildfire hazard development permits in the Rockyview OCP area surrounding the City of Cranbrook. The amendments will improve the implementation of fire smart development practices and streamline the application process for home owners and developers. Residents of the Cranbrook rural area that live in a high wildfire hazard rated location may require a development permit prior to subdividing land or applying for a building permit. If you live in the plan area and are considering subdividing land or undertaking a construction project, please contact Planning & Development Services staff for more information about the wildfire hazard rating of your property and the development permit process.
In support of Clean Bins
The RDEK has thrown its support behind the Wildsight Kimberley/Cranbrook Clean Bin Project. Wildsight hopes to run the waste reduction initiative in Cranbrook this year.
RDEK requests road reopen
A letter will be sent to the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure requesting that Broadway Road be reopened. The road was recently closed and has resulted in an increase in commercial and industrial traffic in Elko, which is causing safety concerns within the community.
10-Year Service Award
Chief Financial Officer Shawn Tomlin (pictured above) was presented with his 10-year service award. Shawn joined the RDEK as the Deputy Manager of Financial Services in 2003.
Application forms for CBT Community Initiatives and Affected Areas Programs available this week
Applications are now being accepted for the 2013/2014 Columbia Basin Trust (CBT) Community Initiatives and Affected Areas Programs. The RDEK administers the Programs on behalf of CBT. Applications may be submitted by registered non-profit organizations, or individuals and groups that are sponsored by a qualified organization. Application forms and proposal guidelines are available at the RDEK’s Cranbrook and Columbia Valley offices and on its website at www.rdek.bc.ca. The application deadline for project proposals is 4:30 p.m. Monday, February 18. Late applications are not eligible for consideration. The funding decisions will be made by the RDEK Board of Directors on June 7.
Lake Windermere bylaws advanced
The board gave third reading to Bylaws No. 2417 and 2418 amending the Upper Columbia Valley Zoning Bylaw and the Lake Windermere OCP to implement direction contained in the Lake Windermere Management Plan. Bylaw 2417 adds six new zones to regulate the size and location of structures on the surface of the lake. Bylaw 2418 amends the OCP to guide future zoning of the lake and establishes a new development permit area to help manage and protect environmentally valuable shoreline features. It is anticipated that both bylaws will be considered by the Board for adoption in February.
Director named to Environmental Assessment Working Group
Electoral Area A Director Mike Sosnowski has been named as the RDEK representative on the proposed Bingay Main Coal Project Environmental Assessment Working Group.
Discretionary Grants-In-Aid (DGIA)
The Lake Windermere Ambassadors will receive $700 from the Electoral Area F DGIA account to go towards the Healthiest Shoreline Assessment.
The Columbia Headwaters Community Forest Association will receive $50 from the Electoral Area F DGIA account and $50 from the Area G DGIA account for membership dues.
Elk Valley Directed Funds meeting
Elk Valley Community Directed Funds Committee January 18 —10 a.m. at the Seniors Drop-In Centre, Fernie.
Wilmer Petition deadline nears
Petition Deadline: Thursday, Jan. 17 at 4:30 p.m. If you have any questions about the project, please contact Elizabeth at our office at 1-888-478-7335 or by email [email protected]. Also, it has come to our attention that the street names didn’t come through on the map provided with the information package. Please check out our website (www.rdek.bc.ca) and the Wilmer Water page (there is a link off the main page – it is the first bullet under Important Links) to see a map with the street names. We’ve also added a map with an aerial photo in the background.
Next board meetings
Thursday, January 31 – Committee Meetings TBA
Friday, February 1 – RDEK Board Meeting 9 a.m.
Friday, February 1 – Kootenay East Regional Hospital District Meeting 11 a.m.
HIGHLIGHTS is a monthly publication of the Regional District of East Kootenay. The Regional Board meets on the first Friday of each month (subject to periodic change) at the RDEK office in Cranbrook. Board Meetings are open to the public. For more information on this publication, contact Loree Duczek at [email protected] or visit www.rdek.bc.ca.
Lead photo: RDEK chair Rob Gay presents Shawn Tomlin with a 10-year service award. By Loree Duczek
RDEK
