Bucks for fuel mitigation

The Regional District of Central Okanagan is looking for provincial funding for two fuel mitigation projects.

Fuel mitigation is used to reduce the risk and lessen the impact of future fires, through the controlled burning of forest fire fuel.

The board this week adopted a resolution supporting an application to the Union of BC Municipalities for grants to support the projects. 

The first project would involve fuel modification treatment on just over 7.5-hectares in Mill Creek Regional Park. 

The second would involve just over five hectares in Black Mountain/sntsk‘il’ntən Regional Park. 

Since the inception of the funding program, the Regional District has received more than $1 million for a variety of fuel modification projects including creation of a region-wide Community Wildfire Protection Plan and Operational Wildfire Protection Plan for Regional Parks.

At the recently concluded UBCM Convention, delegates endorsed a West Kelowna resolution asking the province to establish, fund and conduct a province-wide wildfire proofing program on public and
private interface lands to protect British Columbia’s residents and infrastructure.

In other news from this week's Regional Board Meeting:

Proposed Water Rates and System Bylaws

The new rates, if approved, would take effect Jan. 1 and are designed to encourage conservation and be more equitable for low and medium water users.  They will also generate sufficient revenues to cover the full operating costs of providing service and will help keep each system financially sustainable. 

Proposed Sunset Ranch Sewer Rate

In order to offset the costs from the City of Kelowna and to cover additional operational expenses the bylaw would adjust the annual rate for service by approximately 12% ($38.52 increase) for each household.

Two new Westshore Water Reservoirs Proposed

By constructing both reservoirs at the same time as the Killiney Beach water system upgrade project is done, the project size and value will be maximized and should result in more competitive pricing and possible cost savings. 

Proposed Solid Waste Bylaw Amendment

The proposed Solid Waste Management Regulation Bylaw amendment would add a four per cent late payment penalty.

2016 – 2020 Budget Timeline / Public Input

Two additional opportunities for public comment and feedback have been added to the 2016 – 2020 financial plan consideration process. The first will take place on Feb. 25 and the second will be on March 10. The final opportunity for public input will be provided during the March 31 board meeting for final consideration and adoption of the budget bylaw.

FrontCounter BC Referral Application

The Regional Board has given conditional support to a Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure application to FrontCounter BC.  The referral application requests the withdrawal of 37.46-hectares of crown land along Trepanier Road with the purpose of transferring the land as an addition to the Westbank First Nation reserves. 

Age-friendly Grant Application Supported

An application from the Parks Services department to the Union of BC Municipalities Age-friendly Community Planning and Project Grant program was supported. If approved, the $20,000 grant request will be used by RDCO Parks to manage and promote age-friendly hiking and walking opportunities in regional parks.