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RDEK Board Highlights
Licence of Occupation signed for Cherry Creek Park
The Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) board Chair and chief administrative officer have signed the Licence of Occupation for Cherry Creek Falls Regional Park. The RDEK had applied to the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations for the Licence in April.
RDEK staff will now make application to the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure for an access permit for the park.
New community planning process for Elk Valley
The board Sept. 6 authorized the preparation of a new Official Community Plan for the Elk Valley. Over the next 12 months, a new community plan for the unincorporated areas of the Elk Valley will be prepared. The plan will replace the RDEK’s Elk Valley Land Use Strategy (1986) and the Fernie Area Land Use Strategy (2006) and will include the communities of Morrissey, West Fernie, Hosmer and the rural areas surrounding Sparwood and Elkford. Fernie Alpine Resort and Island Lake Resort are already covered by their own separate OCPs and will not be included in this process. It is anticipated that public consultation on the new plan will begin in October.
Second letter sent to MLA regarding Koocanusa concerns
The RDEK Board of Directors is sending a second letter of concern to Kootenay East MLA Bill Bennett regarding the uncontrolled raves on Crown land surrounding Koocanusa and requesting enforcement of provincial laws and regulations for the entire summer (May to September).
Booth nominated as RDEK representative to CBT
Electoral Area F Director Wendy Booth has been re-nominated as the RDEK representative to the Columbia Basin Trust Board of Directors. Booth’s current term expires on December 31.
Province requested to extend Hotel Room Tax program
The province will be asked to continue to levy a two per cent tax on accommodation purchased within the District of Invermere and a portion of Electoral Area F for another five-year term. In addition, the board has requested the province include Copper Point Resort in the Hotel Room Tax boundary.
Funds collected through the tax go to the Mountain and Valley Invermere/ Panorama Destination Marketing Organization to promote the Columbia Valley to visitors.
Transfer of Coal Discovery Trail moves forward
RDEK Staff will work with the District of Sparwood and Fernie Trails Alliance on the transfer of the Coal Discovery Trail. The District of Sparwood has requested the RDEK transfer the land use permits for the portion of the trail from Hosmer to Sparwood. The Hosmer to Fernie portion of the trail will be transferred to the Trails Alliance.
In Support of Rural Development Strategy
The RDEK Board has thrown its support behind the establishment of a BC Rural Development Strategy. The Southern Interior Beetle Action Coalition is seeking letters of support for a strategy and will receive one from the RDEK.
Letter of thanks
The RDEK will send a letter of thanks to Emma and Fraser Young for their generous contribution to the (Invermere) Crossroads Ball Park. The Youngs organized a ball tournament in July and donated $1,000 for facility improvements and upgrades to the Ball Park.
Discretionary Grant in Aid (DGIA) Funding
Photos Ian Cobb/e-KNOW
– The National Western Region Mine Rescue Competition will receive $2,000 from the Electoral Area A DGIA Account. The event is the largest international mine rescue of its kind in Canada.
– The Lake Koocanusa Community Council will receive $500 from the Electoral Area B DGIA and $500 from the Electoral Area C DGIA accounts to help offset costs associated with the Strategic Planning Session and Annual General Meeting.
– The Cranbrook Archery Club will receive $2,000 from the Electoral Area C DGIA account and $500 from the Electoral Area E DGIA account to assist with expenses for the 2013 World Archery Championships.
– The Radium Hot Springs Visitor Information Centre will receive $2,000 from the Electoral Area F DGIA account and $1,000 from the Electoral Area G DGIA accounts to offset expenses for summer staffing and operational costs.
– Columbia Valley Arts will receive $3,500 from the Electoral Area F DGIA accounts and $1,000 from the Electoral Area G DGIA accounts to cover costs of a new storage addition for Pynelogs Cultural Centre.
Next board meetings
Thursday September 5 – Committee Meetings TBA
Friday September 6 – RDEK Board Meeting 9 a.m.
For more information on RDEK meetings, programs and services, please visit our website: www.rdek.bc.ca . You can also follow us on Facebook. Just “like” our page and let the news come to you!
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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