Centermount Coal Ltd./Bingay Creek Project Report

Centermount Coal Ltd. provided a presentation to District of Elkford council Jan. 23 on the progress of the Bingay Creek Coal Mine.  The project is at a late pre-feasibility study stage.  The company is hoping to start the construction of the site in 2014 and go into production in 2016.  It is anticipated that the production will reach one million tonnes  in 2016 and two million tonnes per year thereafter.  Centermount would like to participate in Elkford’s housing strategy meetings and in community engagement to become a part of the community.  The discussion included ideas for bringing and retaining the work force in Elkford.

RCMP 2011 Fourth Quarter Crime Statistics

Cpl. Gerry Sliworsky provided the statistics for the last quarter, October to December 2011. The RCMP Office in Elkford is closed until further notice due to high levels of radon gas being detected in the building.

Provision of the physicians in the Elk Valley

The District of Elkford received correspondence from the Sparwood and Elkford doctors expressing concern about the shortage of physicians in the Elk Valley.  Dr. Sugden gave a six months notice in May and his position has not been filled.  The remaining doctors are concerned about the strain this puts on them and on the residents of the affected towns. The district will send a letter to the Interior Health to initiate a dialogue to improve basic health care in the Elk Valley.

Columbia Basin Trust (CBT) Funding Sub-Region Initiative

In the recent months the communities of the Columbia Valley formed a sub-region to distribute the funds provided by the CBT in order to work on projects they deem important for the region.  The same opportunity exists for the Elk Valley communities.  The District of Elkford will approach the District of Sparwood, the City of Fernie and the RDEK Area A to discuss the formation of an Elk Valley CBT funding sub-region.

91stAnnual Mine Rescue and First Aid Competitions

The District of Elkford approved the free use of the Fire Department facility and the surrounding grounds for the competition, which will be held in May. It is expected that the new fire training facility will be completed at that time and that the competition will provide a good opportunity to demonstrate its capabilities.

Development Variance Permit, 2470 Elk Lakes Road N.

Council defeated the motion to issue a Development Variance Permit for 2470 Elk Lakes Road N., for the placement of a single family dwelling.  The structure exceeds the height requirements of the Zoning Bylaw.   Staff will provide information to the property owners to provide them with options available to them.

Municipal By-Election

On January 12, 2012 the District received Walter Conibear’s resignation from Council.  The District appointed Leanne Jensen as Chief Election Officer and Dorothy Szawlowski as Deputy Chief Election Officer.  The date of the municipal by-election will be announced shortly.

Urban Deer Management Committee

Council approved the attendance of two members of the Urban Deer Management Committee at  the Urban Wildlife Conference in Cranbrook, April 18 & 19, 2012.    The Committee is recruiting volunteers to conduct another deer count on February 21, 4 pm to 5 pm.  For more information, or to volunteer please contact the Main Office at 250-865-4000 or Public Works Office at 250-865-4025.

District of Elkford

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