CRD Announces Public Consult Meetings on Solid Waste Management Plan Update

Editor's Note - I strongly encourage you to make it to these meetings in your local community as this has a significant impact on your property taxes - regardless if you live in an CRD Electoral Area or a Municipality

From the Cariboo Regional District:

The Cariboo Regional District invites you to talk trash – literally! Thirteen open houses are being

held across the region where you can learn more – and have your say – about proposed options for future recycling and composting programs as well as improvements to transfer stations and landfills.

“We value the importance of public consultation and encourage residents to attend the Solid Waste Management Open House and presentation in your area,” says CRD Chair Al Richmond. “By utilising the feedback we receive from the consultation process, we will be able to ensure we design a solid waste management plan that meets the needs of our residents now and well into the future.”

The open houses are being held as part of the process to update the region’s Solid Waste Management Plan (SWMP), as required by the Ministry of Environment. This plan provides direction for the types of garbage, recycling and other waste reduction programs we need to develop over the next 10 years.

The goal is to create a plan with input from residents and businesses that will meet our needs for managing waste – for the good of our communities, our environment and our pocket books.

The proposed options were developed with the input and guidance of the Solid Waste Advisory Committee made up of residents, community groups, businesses, local government, First Nations and Ministry of Environment representatives. In addition, close to 900 residents responded to a survey last spring, providing valuable information about preferences for various programs. The next step is to present the proposed options for feedback at 13 open houses being held across the region this fall.

Key options to be presented at the open houses for feedback include:

 increase convenient access to recycling, including controlling sites to reduce contamination and clean-up costs;
 develop “one-stop” Eco-depots for convenient recycling of products such as electronics, paint, waste oil, batteries and household hazardous wastes;
 gauge public interest for yard or food scraps collection and composting;
 improve education and enforcement programs;
 get input on “user-pay” programs and tipping fees;
 manage wood waste;
 investigate waste-to-energy options.

For more information, please contact the CRD at 250-392-3351 or 1-800-665-1636. Information about the meetings along with a full schedule of events is available online at www.cariboord.bc.ca or by emailing us at talktrash@cariboord.bc.ca

Public Consultation Meeting Schedule:

Sept 13th - City of WL (CRD Boardroom) (Open House from 4-8pm w/formal presentation at 7pm)

Sept 14th - City of Quesnel (Quesnel Library) (Open House from 4-8pm w/formal presentation at 7pm)

Sept 21st - Nimpo Lake (local Community Hall) (Open House from 4-8pm w/formal presentation at 7:30pm)

Sept 22nd - Alexis Creek (local Community Hall) (Open House from 4-8pm w/formal presentation at 7:30pm)

Sept 24th - 150 Mile House (150 House Fire Hall) (Open House from 2-5pm w/formal presentation at 3:00pm)

Oct 1st - Wildwood (Wildwood Elementary) (Open House from 2-5pm w/formal presentation at 3pm)

Oct 4th - Lac La Hache (local Community Hall) (Open House from 7-9pm w/formal presentation at 7:30pm)

Oct 5th - District of 100 Mile (Creekside Seniors' Activity Center) (Open House from 4-8pm w/formal presentation at 7pm)

Oct 8th - Mountview/Dog Crk Area (Rod/Gun Club on Bond Ld Road) (Open House from 2-5pm w/formal presentation at 3pm)

Oct 12th - Forest Grove (local Community Hall) (Open House from 7-9pm w/formal presentation at 7:30pm)

Oct 13th - Lone Butte (local Community Hall) (Open House from 7-9pm w/formal presentation at 7:30pm)

Oct 18th - Interlakes (local Community Hall) (Open House from 7-9pm w/formal presentation at 7:30pm)

Oct 20th - Baker Creek (local Community Hall) (Open House from 7-9pm w/formal presentation at 7:30pm)