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RDEK Board Highlights
Lake Koocanusa Official Community Plan
After discussing the results of the public hearing held in Grasmere on February 25 the Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) Board of Directors March 1 made a number of amendments to the Lake Koocanusa Official Community Plan and gave the bylaw third reading. The changes provide some additional opportunities for private campground development while acknowledging that such development applications would need to be approved by the Agricultural Land Commission and would be evaluated against a number of planning criteria. The board also gave third reading to an amendment to the South Country Zoning and Floodplain Management Bylaw to extend zoning regulations to the Koocanusa area.
Seeking temporary waste bins
An funding application will be submitted to Columbia Basin Trust for the placement of temporary waste receptacles in the Lake Koocanusa area from the May to September long weekends.
RDEK to Participate in Community Energy Manager
The RDEK will participate in the funding of a Community Energy Manager up to a maximum of $40,000 subject to BC Hydro hiring the contractor and CBT participating in the program. The funding will be for one year, with the possibility of renewal for a second year with the agreement of the funding partners. The Community Energy Manager will be responsible for implementing community energy plans and leading the implementation of energy sustainability policy in East Kootenay communities.
Letter of support for Nordic ski facility
A letter of support will be provided to the Fernie Nordic Society for their plans to develop a Nordic ski facility in the Elk Valley.
Special Event Licence for music festival
The Special Event Licence for the Steamboat Mountain Music Festival to be held on July 6, at the Edgewater Elementary School field has been granted.
Windermere Creek Assessment to be presented to the community
The Windermere Creek Hydrotechnical Assessment will be presented to the community of Windermere in late April. The assessment includes recommendations for mitigation measures to help reduce the instability in the creek Channel.
Home-Based Business Regulations
After several discussions over the past year concerning the RDEK’s regulation of home-based businesses, the board decided to proceed with the preparation of formal bylaws to amend the home-based business regulations in all electoral areas, and to add a new “major” home-based business category in Electoral Areas A and C. It is anticipated that the proposed bylaws will be drafted this spring. If the amendments are advanced by the board, then public hearings will be scheduled for later this year.
Directors appointed to committee
Electoral Area B Director Heath Slee and Village of Canal Flats Mayor Ute Juras have been appointed as the RDEK’s representatives to the committee to examine the governance relationship between local governments and Columbia Basin Trust.
West Fernie Dike Project continues
The Engineering Services contract for the next phase of work on the West Fernie Dike Project has been awarded. Northwest Hydraulic Consultants (NHC) will complete phase three and four of the project which will include rehabilitation work on the existing non-conforming dike 300m upstream of West Bridge to 700 metres downstream of West Bridge.
Funding for enforcement efforts
A total of $1500 ($500 each from Electoral Areas A, B and C Discretionary Grant-in-Aid Accounts) will be forwarded to the Elk Valley RCMP Detachment—May Long Weekend Enforcement Efforts to Protect Environment. The additional enforcement will take place in and around the Lake Koocanusa area and will include a multi-agency response.
New Area C representative on Library Board
Fred Stevens has been appointed as an Electoral Area C representative on the Cranbrook Public Library Board for the term March 4 to December 31.
Discretionary Grants-in-Aid (DGIA) funding
TM Roberts Elementary School will receive $1,000 from the Electoral Area C DGIA account to help send students to Blue Lake Forestry Camp.
The Kimberley Trap & Skeet Club will receive $1,500 from the Electoral Area C DGIA and $500 from the Electoral Area E DGIA account to help offset the costs of activating an existing well on their property.
The East Kootenay Invasive Plant Council will receive $1,500 ($250 from each of the six Electoral Area DGIA accounts) to help subsidize a facilitated visioning workshop.
The Columbia Basin Environmental Education Network (CBEEN) will receive $1,000 from the Electoral Area A DGIA, $850 from the Electoral Area B DGIA account, $1,000 from Electoral Area C DGIA account, $500 from the Electoral Area E DGIA account, $700 from the Electoral Area F DGIA account, and $1,000 from the Electoral Area G account for the Wild Voices for Kids Program.
The Meadowbrook Community Association will receive $1,000 from the Area C DGIA account and $5,000 from the Electoral Area E DGIA account to go towards the purchase of Cherry Creek Falls mineral tenure.
The Windermere Valley Minor Hockey Association will receive $1,350 from the Electoral Area F DGIA and $750 from the Area G DGIA account to help offset the costs associated with the Midget boys’ team’s participation in the Tier 4 Provincial Championships in Lillooet.
The Toby Creek Nordic Ski Club will soon be able to purchase some new equipment thanks in part to $750 in funding from the Electoral Area F DGIA account and $750 from the Electoral Area G DGIA account. The club is working to raise just over $7,500 to purchase 14 sets of equipment to add to their inventory.
The Lake Windermere Ambassadors, on behalf of the Windermere Fire Department, will receive $2,500 from the Area F DGIA account and $750 from the Area G DGIA account to support the purchase of an ice rescue boat to service Lake Windermere and the surrounding areas.
The Kimberley Dynamiters Wall of Fame Group will receive $500 from the Area E DGIA for the Wall of Fame Project.
Next board meetings
Thursday April 4 – Committee Meetings TBA
Friday April 5 – RDEK Board Meeting 9 a.m.
Other RDEK Happenings
Public Meeting
Columbia Valley Community Directed Funds Committee Monday, March 25 —11 a.m. at Windermere Fire Hall—1627 Highway 93/95.
Public Hearings
Tuesday, March 26 — 4 p.m. at Fairmont Hot Springs Resort—5225 Fairmont Resort Road Fairmont. Bylaw 2434—Regional District of East Kootenay—Upper Columbia Valley Zoning Bylaw No. 900, 1992 – Amendment Bylaw No. 280, 2013 (Dutch Creek Resort/RDEK)
Tuesday, March 26—7 p.m. at Edgewater Community Hall—4818 Selkirk Avenue Edgewater. Bylaw 2440—Regional District of East Kootenay—Upper Columbia Valley Zoning Bylaw No. 900, 1992 – Amendment Bylaw No. 282, 2013 (Edgewater/Ruault).
RDEK Agricultural Plan Surveys are now available
Whether you are directly involved in agriculture or just enjoy eating locally produced or grown foods this is the survey for you. Learn about the Agricultural Plan and get your two cents in! Contact Dave Struthers at 250-426-5300 or [email protected] for more info.
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
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