Home »
RDEK Board Highlights
Lake Windermere Bylaws adopted
Implementation of two key recommendations of the Lake Windermere Management Plan is now complete. The Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) board of directors Feb. 1 adopted Bylaws 2417 and 2418 adding six new zones to regulate the size and location of structures on the surface of the lake and a new development permit area to help manage and protect environmentally valuable shoreline features.
Seeking reallocation of funds
The Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development will be requested to approve reallocation of the BC Community Water Improvement Program funding to the following projects:
Spur Valley Water System Upgrade $600,000;
Edgewater Water System Upgrade $1,198,000.
Columbia Valley Local Conservation Fund projects approved
A total of $72,523 in funding from the Columbia Valley Local Conservation Fund has been approved for the following projects for 2013:
– Neighbourhood Invasive Plant Program—$15,000
– Hoodoo Conservation Property Access Management Project—$17,500
– Lake Windermere Water Quality Monitoring and Shoreline Restoration Phase III—$4,700
– Strategic Invasive Plant Control of Leafy Spurge—$6,500
– Marion Creek Benchlands Wetland Enhancement—$15,823
– Ecological Goods and Services Project—$13,000.
Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee recipients
Several members of the RDEK Board have been selected to receive the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee medal in honour of their service to their communities. Congratulations to Kimberley Mayor Ron McRae, Canal Flats Mayor Ute Juras, Elkford Mayor Dean McKerracher, Fernie Mayor Mary Giuliano, Radium Mayor Dee Conklin and Area C Director/RDEK Board Chair Rob Gay.
Fairmont Creek Debris Flow Hazard and Risk Assessment Report received
The RDEK board has received the Fairmont Creek Debris Flow Hazard and Risk Assessment Report. The report, which characterizes the July 15/12 event, determines the hazard and risks of future events, and identifies future mitigation measures is posted on the RDEK’s website. Copies are also being sent to key stakeholders in the Fairmont area. The RDEK will be presenting the assessment in mid-March at a community meeting (yet to be scheduled).
Windermere Creek Hydrotechnical Assessment received
The board also received the Windermere Creek Hydrotechnical Assessment, which assesses the cause of the sediment deposition and cost of mitigation in Windermere Creek. Copies of the full report are being sent to the funding partners, Water Stewardship BC and Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure. The report will be posted on the RDEK’s website and will be presented to the community in late March or early April.
Pictured above: Windermere Creek entering Lake Windermere.
New Campground Bylaw adopted
The board adopted a new bylaw to regulate campground development in the RDEK. Bylaw 2403 applies to all new campground developments as well as the expansion or extension of existing campgrounds. Owners and developers of campgrounds will need to become familiar with the new bylaw and the permitting process. Further information can be obtained by contacting Planning & Development services staff.
9-1-1 Call Centre service review supported
The RDEK Board supports the engagement of a consultant to perform a review of the 9-1-1 call centre requirements and a subsequent process to select a new 9-1-1 call centre service provider, recognizing that the cost of the review will be shared among the participating regional districts as part of the annual budget. The goal of the review is to identify alternate call centre service providers that can meet the defined standards of service while achieving cost savings. The 9-1-1 call centre service is currently provided under contract by the Regional District of Central Okanagan.
Request to amend transit schedule in Elk Valley
BC Transit will be requested to amend the Elk Valley Transit schedule by adding a 2:40pm stop at the Elk Valley Mobile Home Park Monday to Friday; and, further that a ridership review of the stop be conducted after three months.
BC Hydro thanked
A letter of appreciation will be sent to BC Hydro for its $5,000 donation to the Jaffray Fire Department. The funds will be used to purchase hose and nozzles for the truck the City of Cranbrook recently donated to the RDEK.
In support of FCM bid
The RDEK Board supports the City of Kimberley in its bid to host the 2015 Federation of Canadian Municipalities Board of Directors Fall Meeting.
Eddie Mountain Memorial Arena operation agreement signed
The chair and chief administrative officer have signed the agreement with the Columbia Valley Recreation Centre Society for the operation of the Eddie Mountain Memorial Arena for the term October 1, 2012 to September 30, 2015.
Discretionary Grants in Aid (DGIA) funding
– The Elkford Sled Dog Society will receive $1,000 from the Electoral Area A DGIA account for the Wilderness Classic Sled Dog Derby.
– The Elk Valley Bear Aware Program will receive $2,000 from the Electoral Area A DGIA account and $500 from the Electoral Area B DGIA account for the Elk Valley Bear Aware Program.
– The Cranbrook Female Midget Rep Ice Hockey Team will receive $1,000 from the Electoral Area C DGIA account to help offset the costs associated with their participation in Provincials in Richmond this March.
– The Fairmont and District Lions Club will receive $20,000 in 2013 and $15,000 in 2014 to help purchase a building and create a community centre in Fairmont Hot Springs.
Other RDEK happenings
Public Hearings
– Monday, February 25 —4 p.m. at Fernie Family Centre—521 4th Ave, Fernie, for Bylaw 2426—Regional District of East Kootenay—Elk Valley Zoning Bylaw No.829, 1990—Amendment Bylaw No. 63, 2012 (Kmiecik/0816595 BC Ltd.)
– Monday, February 25 —7 p.m. at Grasmere Pioneer Hall—Old Grasmere School Rd, Grasmere, for Bylaw 2432—Regional District of East Kootenay—Lake Koocanusa Official Community Bylaw No. 2432, 2013.
– And-Bylaw 2433—Regional District of East Kootenay—South Country Zoning & Floodplain Management Plan Bylaw No. 2320, 2011—Amendment Bylaw No. 3, 2013 (Lake Koocanusa/RDEK)
Public meetings and open houses
– Dry Gulch OCP Visioning Workshop on Tuesday, February 12 —7 to 9 p.m. at the Prestige Inn in Radium Hot Springs. This workshop will provide an opportunity for members of the community to contribute to the development of a collective vision for the future. The session is open to all residents of the plan area.
– Wilmer OCP Visioning Workshop on Wednesday, February 13 —7 to 9 p.m. at the Wilmer Community Hall. This workshop will provide an opportunity for members of the community to contribute to the development of a collective vision for the future. The session is open to all residents of the plan area.
– Wasa Area OCP Visioning Workshop on Monday, February 25 from 7 to 9 p.m. at Wasa Community Hall.This workshop will provide an opportunity for residents to contribute to the development of a collective vision for the future of their community. Residents will work together in groups and will discuss/comment on a variety of policies that could be included in the proposed OCP.
Next board meetings
– Thursday February 28 – Committee Meetings TBA
– Friday March 1 – RDEK Board Meeting 9 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
RDEK