Beekeepers buzzing for next round of Bee BC funding

Courtesy of the Government of BC:

Beekeepers around the province will be able to apply for the fifth round of Bee BC funding soon, enabling them to launch creative projects in their communities that support the health of bees in British Columbia.

“Bees have always been part of my life, and as I grew up my passion for them only grew stronger,” said the Hon. Lana Popham, BC Minister of Agriculture. “Its amazing to see the unique and innovative ways communities are getting involved through Bee BC to help support the province’s bees and find solutions to keep them safe and healthy.”

The next application intake begins Monday, Feb. 17, 2020, for regional and community-based organizations, beekeeping associations and beekeepers in B.C. Each project is eligible to receive up to $5,000 to fund projects enhancing bee health.

Projects can range from providing education in communities and planting bee-specific forage, to using innovation and technology to help protect and ensure bee health in B.C. The last round of projects included:

• electronic monitoring of hives to assess hive conditions that studied brood quantification, brood-pattern assessment and examining early signs of disease in Rosedale;
• the construction of a “bee barn” to improve overwintering and colony survival in the Kootenays; and
• engaging with youth-led citizen science, monitoring native wildflower lawns and reporting results to the public in the South Coast.

Since launching in 2018, Bee BC has contributed almost $178,000 to fund 42 projects through four rounds of funding. The last round allotted close to $55,000 for 13 projects. Bee BC is a four-year, $400,000 provincial program that makes $100,000 of these funds available to projects investing in bee health each fiscal year.

The Bee BC program provides funding to smaller-scale, community-based projects that support the health of B.C.’s bees. The fund provides support to research, explore, field test and share information about best management practices associated with bee health. The Bee BC program is administered by the Investment Agriculture Foundation of BC on behalf of the Ministry of Agriculture.

Quick Facts:

• May 29, 2019, was proclaimed Day of the Honey Bee in B.C.
• B.C. beekeepers were represented at the 46th Apimondia International Apiculture Congress in Montreal in fall 2019, thanks in part to $20,000 in provincial support.
• Honeybees are an important part of B.C.’s agriculture sector as pollinators of crops, contributing an estimated $560 million to the provincial economy.
• The 2016 total annual economic contribution of honeybee pollination for major insect-pollinated crops (additional harvest value) was estimated at $2.57 billion. (Source: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada)
• In 2018, B.C. beekeepers produced over 1,400 tonnes of honey, valued at $13.7 million in farm cash receipts. This represents an 11% increase over 2017 and 7.6% above the previous five-year average receipts.

Learn More:

Apply for Bee BC funding: https://iafbc.ca/bee-bc/

Check out the program guide: https://iafbc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Bee-BC-Program-Guidelines-2020-formatted.pdf

For information about the Ministry of Agriculture’s apiary program, visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/industry/agriculture-seafood/animals-and-crops/animal-production/bees

Heli-logging operations help manage Douglas fir beetles

Courtesy of the Government of BC:

A fourth year of helicopter logging in the Williams Lake area is expected to start next week to help minimize the spread of Douglas fir beetles on Crown land. 

These native forest pests normally attack small groups of trees, and a significant infestation can weaken and eventually kill a tree over a period of about one year. However, helicopter logging that selectively removes infested trees and protects other trees nearby, and related containment treatments, have helped to slow the spread of the beetles in the Williams Lake area over the past three years.

These logging activities are being conducted under the direction of the Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development. Monitoring of Douglas fir beetle infestations in previously treated areas has identified fewer trees currently under attack, so the helicopter-logging project has been expanded to new sites around Williams Lake.

Helicopter-logging flights are expected to begin as early as Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2020, in the Chimney Valley area southwest of Williams Lake. Once work at that site is completed, operations will move to the Anderson Road area and then to sites on Fox Mountain. Heli-logging activities should be completed by mid-March 2020.

Residents can expect to see helicopters in the air as selective logging operations get underway, but no flights will occur over residential buildings. The aircraft will be flying only during daylight hours.

Owners of livestock and pets are advised to take precautions to protect their animals from injuring themselves. Horses in particular can be sensitive to helicopter noise and may run if startled.

For safety reasons, members of the public should stay away from active harvesting areas. They are also reminded that unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) must not be operated anywhere near the harvesting areas, since doing so can endanger the safety of pilots and workers on the ground.

In addition to the direct harvesting of infested trees, the Williams Lake Beetle Management Unit 2020 Treatment Plan includes the following activities:

• The anti-aggregative pheromone methyl cyclo hexenone (MCH) will be used to prevent or disrupt Douglas fir beetle attacks on small infestation sites. This naturally occurring pheromone can successfully repel the beetles from vulnerable areas and also help protect small stands of trees near parks, protected areas, campgrounds, residential properties or old-growth management areas. In some cases, the application of this pheromone has reduced Douglas fir beetle attacks by over 90%.
• “Trap trees” will be established by cutting down large, healthy Douglas fir trees in accessible areas. The trees will be left on the ground to attract adult beetles in the spring. Trap trees are more successful in attracting adult beetles than standing trees and therefore can greatly reduce the number of attacks on healthy Douglas fir trees nearby. Once adult beetles and larvae are established within a trap tree, it will be taken to a mill where the beetles and larvae will be destroyed in the milling process.
• Where appropriate, and if no other practical options are available, some infested trees may be cut down and burned on site to destroy beetles that are in the bark.
• Funnel traps will also be deployed within mill yards and log storage areas to capture adult beetles.

The Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development is committed to addressing the spread of Douglas fir beetles in the Cariboo-Chilcotin Natural Regional District and mitigating impacts on the mid-term timber supply, wildlife habitat, recreational opportunities and wildfire management.

Quick Facts:

• The Williams Lake Timber Supply Area (TSA) contains 3.24 million hectares of forest, with 1.83 million hectares considered to be available for timber harvesting.
• Douglas fir beetle infestations tend to be cyclical. The last major outbreak in the Cariboo-Chilcotin Natural Regional District, prior to the current outbreak, peaked in 2008, covering about 68,550 hectares. The volume of timber killed by the Douglas fir beetle in the Williams Lake TSA that year was about 172,534 cubic metres.
• The shallow tunnels etched into the underside of the bark of an infested tree, called “galleries,” are created by the beetle adults and larvae as they feed on the wood.
• When Douglas fir beetles attack, the needles of affected trees change colour in stages. The rate of colour change is highly variable, but a pale green or yellow colour indicates that the tree has been attacked recently. Bright red needles generally indicate that the tree was attacked the previous year. Brown trees with sparse foliage generally indicate that the trees have been dead for two or three years. A grey tree has lost all its needles, and this colour usually indicates that the tree has been dead for more than two years.
• According to the ministry’s latest mapping data (based on aerial surveys conducted in the summer of 2019), Douglas fir beetles affected 52,791 hectares within the Cariboo-Chilcotin Natural Resource District in 2019. About 50,254 hectares were affected in the same region in 2018, with 46,231 hectares affected in 2017.

Learn More:

Read more about Douglas fir beetle management or read a guide for managing the beetles on private property online:
 http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/industry/forestry/managing-our-forest-resources/forest-health/forest-pests/bark-beetles/douglas-fir-beetle/management

Free Forestry Contractor Workshop in Williams Lake on February 27th

Joint Release - City of Williams Lake/Cariboo Regional District:

Forestry contractors interested in opportunities to diversify their business are invited to a free half-day workshop on doing business with government co-hosted by the Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development, the City of Williams Lake, and the Cariboo Regional District. 

Participants will learn about the types of projects available through the provincial government, as well as the processes required to successfully bid and contract for those opportunities.

Other presentations will cover the current state of the forest industry, including an update on the Interior Forest Renewal Process, and support programs available for workers who are impacted by mill curtailments. A trade-show style information fair featuring government and community agencies will follow.

“We are pleased to be providing this opportunity to forestry contractors in our area,” states Williams Lake Mayor Walt Cobb. “We believe that it is important to support the independent workers that have been the backbone of the forest industry, by providing them with an opportunity to meet directly with the contacts and resources that will enable them to keep themselves and their equipment working.”

The event will take place in Williams Lake on Thursday, February 27, 2020 from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm in the Gibraltar Room at the Cariboo Memorial Recreation Complex, 525 Proctor Street. Registration is not required, and members of the public are encouraged to attend.

“Having partnered on similar sessions in the South Cariboo, I would encourage contractors and their business managers to attend this session to get linked into opportunities,” says Cariboo Regional District Chair Margo Wagner.  “There are many opportunities available for our local forestry-based workforce, and I am pleased that this proactive approach is being taken to get the information out to those who will benefit from it.”

BC Family Day 2020

Courtesy of the Government of BC:

Statement from BC Premier John Horgan re: BC Family Day 2020

"Family Day is an opportunity to spend some extra time with loved ones – whether that means family or friends – to do fun activities together, relax and recharge.
“Our government wants Family Day events to be accessible to everyone. We’re supporting dozens of free events at parks and recreation centres, museums, galleries and heritage organizations in communities throughout B.C. over the holiday weekend.
“This is all part of our work to make life better and more affordable for families in B.C.
“From my family to yours, I wish you a happy and safe Family Day!”

Learn More:

For more information about Family Day events in communities throughout B.C., visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/governments/celebrating-british-columbia/bc-family-day

TNRD CAO resigns!

Kamloops This Week is reporting that Thompson Nicola Regional District/TNRD CAO or Chief Administrative Officer Sukh Gill has resigned his position, effective February 14th and that the Acting CAO of the TNRD is Finance Director Douglas Rae

As expected, TNRD Chair Ken Gillis is not able to comment fully on the matter as it is being treated as a "personnel matter" which are handled at Closed Board or In-Camera Meetings of the TNRD Board

View the Kamloops this Week article here

I have had the opportunity to meet Mr Gill on a number of occasions and our conversations have been very pleasant.  I wish him and his family all the very best in their future endeavours!

SF

New equipment to improve seniors' lives and care

Courtesy of the Government of BC:

Editor's Note -- Both "Cariboo Place" & "Williams Lake Seniors' Village", both in Williams Lake will be benefactors' of this funding. No seniors' homes in 100 Mile House/Quesnel received funding as a result of this program...SF

People living and working in long-term care homes throughout B.C. are benefiting from a $6.9-million grant to purchase new equipment that will help improve the safety and quality of life of residents.

“Dignity, comfort, and security are what people and their loved ones expect and deserve when they are in long-term care,” said Adrian Dix, Minister of Health. “Government is investing in these long-term care homes by adding new and replacement items, like beds and mattresses, and ceiling lifts and sensory rooms, so people can feel comfortable in their surroundings and enjoy their home-like setting.”

The Seniors Safety and Quality Improvement Program (SSQIP) is a three-year program that is managed by the BC Care Providers Association (BCCPA). BCCPA has provided funding to long-term care home operators for the purchase of new equipment.

A total of $10 million was provided over three years to 186 long-term care homes to buy over 8,000 new items: beds and mattresses, shower chairs and tubs, mobility equipment – such as floor and ceiling lifts – lighting and visual aids, sensory rooms, music therapy and ergonomic furniture. The furniture includes specialized chairs and tables.

An advisory group, which included representatives from the provincial government, BCCPA, Denominational Health Association and SafeCare BC, received applications and oversees funding allocation. Those approved received up to $500 per publicly funded bed to purchase equipment that enhances the safety and quality of life of seniors.

“Our government is committed to improving care for seniors,” said Ronna-Rae Leonard, Parliamentary Secretary for Seniors. “The new equipment has helped ensure that their care is provided safely — for the people who live in long-term care, the families who visit them and the staff who care for them.”

Daniel Fontaine, CEO of BCCPA, said, “We’re pleased to continue working with the Ministry of Health and other partners through this final round of SSQIP funding. The investments are aimed at creating more supportive environments for residents in long-term care and reducing injury rates among the workers who care for them.”

Long-term care provides 24-hour professional care and supervision in a protective, supportive environment for people with complex care needs, who can no longer be cared for in their own homes or in an assisted-living residence.

Government is investing more than $1 billion over three years to improve care for seniors, including investments in primary care, home health, long-term care, assisted living and respite services.

The Province is also providing $240 million over three years to increase staffing levels in long-term care homes, with the goal of achieving the target 3.36 direct care hours per resident day – on average – across all health authorities by the end of 2020-21. In 2018-19, these added more than one million direct hours of care for seniors in long-term care homes throughout the province.

Learn More:

For more information on the Seniors Safety and Quality Improvement Program, visit: http://bccare.ca/programs/ssqip/

Long-term care homes receiving funding: https://news.gov.bc.ca/files/backgrounder_long_term_care_homes_funding.pdf

Quesnel Council meets next week

Quesnel City Council will be the only local government of the Cariboo-Chilcotin to meet next week.  Details below:

Quesnel - Regular City Council meeting on Tuesday, February 18th at 6pm in Quesnel Council Chambers (4th Floor, 410 Kinchant St, Quesnel).  On the Agenda:

* Committee Reports - Financial Sustainability and Audit Committee - February 11, 2020 Meeting; Business Improvement Associations Update

* 2020 Operating Budget
* Tax Shifting
* Fire Training Sprinkler Protection Unit
* Zoning Amendment (355 Vaughn Street)
* Active Transportation Infrastructure Grant Application
* Cariboo Ski-Touring Club - Request for Resolution of Support
* Quesnel Tillicum Society & Friendship Centre - Request for Resolution of Support
* Bylaws: Temporary Borrowing Bylaw - Construction of New Public Works Facility - Final Adoption; Zoning Amendment (355 Vaughn Street) - First and Second Bylaw Readings AND Set Public Hearing to 6:00 p.m. March 3, 2020 at City Hall Council Chambers

View the full Agenda here

Cariboo RD Board Highlights - Feb 13th mtg

Present: Chair M. Wagner/Vice-Chair J. Massier & Directors M. Sjostrom, B. Bachmeier, S. Forseth, A. Delainey, M. LeBourdais, A. Richmond, J. Glassford, G. Kirby, C. Mernett, W. Macdonald, G. Fourchalk, B. Simpson, W. Cobb, M. Campsall

Meeting called to order at 9:48am

Meeting Agenda adopted
Minutes of the Cariboo RD Board Meetings held January 16/17th, 2020 were received/adopted

The Board received the Delegations Memorandum of Business

Business:

1) Development Services

a) The following Planning Bylaws were given 1st and 2nd Readings:

Director Mernett declared a conflict of interest in respect of Bylaw #5251 as a result of him working for Dawson Road Maintenance and left the meeting at 9:49am

* Chilcotin Area Rural Land Use Amendment Bylaw No. 5251, 2019 (Area J/Dawson Road Maintenance)

Director Mernett returned to the meeting at 9:50am

* South Cariboo Area Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 5252, 2020 (Area G/1188577 BC Ltd. dba Mt. Timothy Recreation Resort (FLNRORD)

b) The following Planning Bylaw was adopted:

* Central Cariboo Area Rural Land Use Amendment Bylaw No. 5215, 2019 (Area E/Richards)

2) Environmental Services

a) The Board authorized a grant application to the Investing in Canadian Infrastructure, British Columbia, Green Infrastructure, Environmental Quality Program for a new well and pumphouse at the Lac La Hache water system

b) The Board approved the Water Conservation Plan for the Lac La Hache Water System and the Plan accompany the Grant Application for the new well and pumphouse at the Lac La Hache water system

3) Community Services

a) The Board endorsed 5 NDIT (Northern Development Initiative Trust) Applications as follows:

* Williams Lake Curling Club - $15,000 in funding from the Community Halls and Recreation Facilities Program
* Buck Ridge Community Association - $26,233 in funding from the Community Halls and Recreation Facilities Program, to build a Community Shelter
* Fishing Highway Tourism Association - $20,000 in funding from the Marketing Initiatives Program for their Land of Hidden Waters Initiative
* Cariboo Chilcotin Coast Tourism Marketing Association - $20,000 in funding from the Marketing Initiatives Program for their Responsible Tourism Campaign
* Miocene Community Club - $30,000 in funding from the Community Halls and Recreation Facilities Program to build a Community Shelter

4) Protective Services

a) The Board received a report of the Protective Services Manager concerning a Fire Department Spending Authority Correction Plan, approved the Manager's recommendations to align CRD Fire Departments with current Regional District policy in regard to purchasing and accountability for public funds

5) Communications

a) The Board received a report from the Manager of Communications in regards to Electoral Area sign replacement and agreed to defer the project until 2023 when a re-branding exercise is complete in 2022

6) Finance

a) The Board received/ratified the Monthly Expenditures Board Summary Report and Mastercard Summary Report for the month of January 2020, in the amount of $3,396,282.83

7) Administration

a) The Board received a report from the Manager of Corporate Services/Deputy CAO regarding a request for $4,000 from Charge North and agreed to the request with funding allocation from Electoral Area Administration.  Board divided - Motion agreed to by the following vote:

Affirmative - Directors Sjostrom, Bachmeier, Massier, Forseth, Delainey, LeBourdais, Richmond, Wagner, Glassford, Kirby, Mernett, Macdonald, Fourchalk, Simpson and Campsall - 15

Negative - Director W. Cobb (Williams Lake) - 1

b) The Board received a report from the Manager of Corporate Services/Deputy CAO concerning an invitation from the Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development, to participate in a new Community Forest Agreement in the Quesnel Timber Supply Area and Staff were directed to write back indicating the Regional District's desire to participate in the Quesnel Community Forest Initiative

Meeting recessed at 10:51am
Meeting resumed at 11:03am

Delegation:

Steve Kozuki from the Forest Enhancement Society of BC appeared before the Board to provide an update

A Question/Answer period ensued

The Chair thanked the delegation for their time/information

Meeting recessed at 11:32am
Meeting resumed at 12:36pm

Business, cont:
Administration, cont:

c) The Board endorsed 4 NCLGA Resolutions for consideration at the 2020 NCLGA Convention in Prince George, BC as follows:

* Maintenance of Forest Service Roads
* Legislative Clarification of Temporary Use Permits
* Vegetation Control along BC Hydro Power Lines
* Enumeration and Consideration of Seasonal Populations

d) The Board received a request from the City of Williams Lake concerning a letter of support for their Water Treatment Plant project grant application through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP and the Board directed Staff to provide same to the City of Williams Lake

e) The Board received the Consent Calendar as of February 13th

8) Committee or Commission Minutes/Recommendations

a) The Board received the following minutes from CRD Committee or Commission Meetings:

* Finance-Budget Committee - January 15, 2020
* South Cariboo Rural Directors Caucus - January 13, 2020
* South Cariboo Joint Committee - January 13, 2020
* North Cariboo Rural Directors Caucus - January 14, 2020
* Central Cariboo Rural Directors Caucus - January 22, 2020

b) The Board endorsed recommendations from the aforementioned meetings above, as follows:

* Fire Department Charge Cards & Building Procurement and Maintenance (look into feasibility of building procurement/maintenance capital reserve fund) -- Finance/Budget Committee meeting of January 15th

* South Cariboo Appointments for 2020 - South Cariboo Rural Directors Caucus - January 13, 2020 meeting
* North Cariboo Appointments for 2020 - North Cariboo Rural Directors Caucus - January 14, 2020 meeting

* Letter of Support for City of Williams Lake (2020 Kraft Hockeyville Competition), Central Cariboo Appointments for 2020 and POW WOW Update ($8,000 from Community Works Funds for Recycling/Waste Management) -- Central Cariboo Rural Directors Caucus - January 22, 2020 meeting

* Amendment to Area 'K' Grant for Assistance - Central Cariboo Rural Directors' Caucus meeting of January 22, 2020 meeting

9) Invitations

The Board received an invitation to attend a Facilitated Mountain Bike Stakeholder Engagement Meeting on February 24, 2020 at the Central Cariboo Arts Centre in Williams Lake

10) Corporate Bylaws

a) The Board gave 1st,2nd and 3rd Readings to Quesnel Fringe Area Fire Protection Boundary Expansion Bylaw No. 5255, 2020 (CRD Areas A/B)

11) Directors' Items

a) The Board received a report of the Deputy Corporate Officer concerning the Regional District's rep to the NCLGA Board for the 2020/21 term.  The Board will further consider this matter in March 2020

b) At the request of Director A. Richmond (Area G) -- The Board authorized up to $700 from the Electoral Area G Director Initiative Fund for an appreciation dinner for the 108 Greenbelt Commission

c) At the request of Director B. Bachmeier (Area B) -- The Board authorized access up to $3,500 from the Electoral Area B Director Initiative Fund to attend the 2020 FCM Conference, and revise the amount of funds previously authorized by Board Res. No. 2019-11-33, to designate “up to $1,500”, rather than “up to $2,500”, towards her attendance at the Broadband Conference in April 2020

d) At the request of Director M. Sjostrom (Area A) -- The Board authorized up to $250 from the Electoral Area A Director Initiative Fund to attend Minerals North in Quesnel on April 29 - May 1st, 2020

e) At the request of Director S. Forseth (Area D) -- The Board authorized referral of a Provincial Policy Paper entitled Residential Flexibility in the ALR to all Electoral Area APC's for review/feedback by March 2020 in order to permit the Board to provide an informed response to the BC Ministry of Agriculture by the April 17th, 2020 deadline

The Board received the report of Chair Wagner concerning her recent activities, as of February 9th, 2020 and the Board received the report of the CAO regarding his recent activities..

At 1:17pm -- The Board recessed its' public meeting & convened an Closed Board Meeting (In-Camera) as per Section 90(1g - litigation) of the Community Charter

At 1:34pm -- The Board resumed its public meeting

Directors reported on their recent activities in their Electoral Areas or Municipalities

The Board agreed to adjourn at 2pm

CCRHD Board Highlights - Feb 13th mtg

Present: Chair B. Simpson/Vice Chair A. Richmond & Directors M. Sjostrom, B. Bachmeier, J. Massier, S. Forseth, A. Delainey, M. LeBourdais, M. Wagner, J. Glassford, G. Kirby, C. Mernett, W. Macdonald, G. Fourchalk, W. Cobb, M. Campsall and TNRD Area 'E' Director S. Watson

Meeting called to order at 9:30am

Meeting Agenda adopted
Minutes of the CCRHD Board Meeting held January 17th, 2020 were received/adopted

Delegations MOB was received

Business:

1) The Board gave 1st, 2nd, 3rd Readings and Adoption to the following Capital Expenditures Bylaws:

a) Cariboo Chilcotin Regional Hospital District Capital Expenditure (Northern Health - Phase 3, Community Health Record Project) Bylaw No. 162, 2020
b) Cariboo Chilcotin Regional Hospital District Capital Expenditure (Northern Health – Personal Health Record/Portal Project) Bylaw No. 163, 2020
c) Cariboo Chilcotin Regional Hospital District Capital Expenditure (Northern Health - EmergCare Project) Bylaw No. 164, 2020

2) The Board received a report of the Chief Financial Officer in respect of Interior Health's refusal to Back-end Fund the Cariboo Memorial Hospital Project and directed that the Chair have a conversation with the Interior Health Authority's Board of Directors' Chair regarding the request to back-end fund the Cariboo Memorial Hospital Project

3) The Board received the Hospital Consent Calendar as of February 13th, 2020

The Chair provided updates on Capital Projects at GR Baker and Cariboo Memorial Hospital projects

Meeting recessed at 9:48am
Meeting resumed at 11:32am

Delegation:

Jenn Goodwin, Interior Health VP Communications & Culture, appeared before the Board to talk about the IH Vision, Mission and Values statements.

A Question/Answer period ensued

The Chair thanked Ms. Goodwin for her time/information

The Board agreed to adjourn at 11:56am

Cariboo RD Annual Request to Organic Farm or Beekeeping Operations

Courtesy of the Cariboo Regional District:

Knowing the location of all Bee Yards and Organic Farms helps us carry out our Invasive Plant Management program effectively. The CRD will begin treating known sites of invasive plants on private and public lands on April 27, 2020.

Contact the CRD before February 28, 2020 and let us know:
- your business name and/or contact information;
- legal description of the property or site;
- description and map of property location; and
- any additional information.

Contact: Emily Sonntag, CRD Invasive Plant Management Coordinator via email at esonntag@cariboord.ca or 250-392-3351.

Post Event Report: 2020 UBCM EA Director Forum/2020 LGLA Annual Leadership Forum

As is my usual practice following a Seminar, Workshop or Convention -- find below my "Post Event" report concerning my attendance at the 2020 UBCM EA Director Forum & 2020 LGLA Annual Leadership Forum - all in Richmond, BC - from Tuesday, February 4th to Friday, February 7th, 2020

Post-Event Report -- 2020 UBCM EA Director Forum and 2020 LGLA Annual Leadership Forum by Steve Forseth on Scribd

Post Event Report: 2020 BC Natural Resources Forum

As is my usual practice following a Seminar, Workshop or Convention -- find below my "Post Event" report concerning my attendance at the 2020 BC Natural Resources Forum in Prince George, BC from January 28-30, 2020

Post Event Report - 2020 BC Natural Resources Forum by Steve Forseth on Scribd

Infrastructure and inconvenience

Courtesy of the City of Quesnel:

Editor's Note -- Weekly column from Quesnel Mayor Bob Simpson.  He can be reached via email here

When it comes to infrastructure projects, there is always inconvenience for the general public. The most current being the need to close a portion of the Riverfront Trail to accommodate the addition of a new Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and Emergency Room (ER) to the hospital and the temporary loss of a significant amount of parking at G.R. Baker for the duration of the project (about two years). Find the detour map here: http://bit.ly/2Sr5vcr.

By their very nature, infrastructure investments are disruptive. They create traffic delays, disruptions, and re-routing; loss of parking; and noise. They also change streets and neighbourhood dynamics for a time or, sometimes, permanently. Most people deal with this disruption with grace and patience, understanding that, ultimately, the benefits we obtain from these investments far outweigh the short-term nuisances they create.

Quesnel is about to enter a period of significant disruption due to an unprecedented amount of public sector investment in our community. Not only are we getting a much-needed new ICU and ER, we’re also getting a new Junior School and more social housing projects. The City’s new public works building will also be constructed this summer.

If we’re successful in our current infrastructure grant applications, we’ll also see a major renovation to the Arts and Recreation Centre and a new Cultural Centre built at Ceal Tingley Park. In addition, a significant highway improvement project will be undertaken at Racing and Hydraulic Roads and, hopefully, the North-South Inter-connector will start being built in the near future. We’re hoping that the construction of the new West Fraser Road will also commence as soon as possible too.

The importance of these infrastructure investments at this time cannot be overstated. They indicate a significant commitment from the current Provincial Government to the resiliency of our community. Many of these projects have been talked about for years, this Provincial Government is delivering them, and the timing couldn’t be better for us.

With the long predicted permanent downturn in the forest sector upon us, these public sector investments will boost our local economy and create local jobs at this critical juncture in our community’s history. Enbridge’s compressor station upgrade at Australian (about 10km south of Kersley) will also commence this spring and provide additional job opportunities for Quesnel residents and economic benefits for local businesses over the next two years.

As a Council, we’re working with the Province and its agencies (Northern Health, BC Housing, Ministry of Transportation, etc.) and private sector investors to ensure we obtain maximum benefit from these public and private sector investments. However, it’s also the responsibility of local job seekers, contractors, and businesses to make their connections to the main project contractors to ensure they benefit from these projects too.

Make sure you sign up for notices and pay attention to project information bulletins and updates. Follow the City of Quesnel, Northern Health, Ministry of Transportation, Provincial Government and BC Housing for more information.

I would hope that when all these projects get underway and the City is buzzing with contractors, workers, and equipment building new facilities and new road infrastructure our residents will welcome this investment in our community and see it for what it is: a much needed shot in the arm to our local economy and a temporary inconvenience to achieve great improvements in our community.

United Way TNC Fire Mitigation Project continues

The United Way (Thompson-Nicola-Cariboo) is continuing their "Fire Mitigation Program" to assist property owners who are not unable to do Fire Smart projects on their properties

For full details - click here

SF

Local Gov't Mtgs - Wk of Feb 10-14

The following local governments of the Cariboo-Chilcotin are meeting next week, as follows:

Quesnel - As noted below, all meetings in the Fraser Room at Quesnel City Hall (4th Floor, 410 Kinchant St, Quesnel):

Financial Sustainability/Audit Committee - Regular Meeting on Tuesday, February 11 at 3:15pm.  On the Agenda:

* 2020 Operating Budget
* Discussion Item: Water Update

View the full Agenda here

Executive Committee - Regular Meeting on Wednesday, February 12th at 9am.  On the Agenda:

* Upcoming Community Engagement
* Item from Mayor Simpson -- Quesnel Community Forest Update
* BC Games - Invitation to Bid

View the full Agenda here

Williams Lake - Regular City Council Meeting on Tuesday, February 11th at 6pm in WL Council Chambers (450 Mart St).  On the Agenda:

* Delegations (2) -- Jason Sim, WLFD Member and MD Canada Chairman for Williams Lake and Area - 1st Annual Williams Lake Firefighter Rooftop Campout on February 29, 2020 & David Corbett, School District No. 27 - Overview of Career Programs, Including Heavy Metal Rocks Program & Upcoming 10-Year Celebration

* Northern Development Initiative Trust ( NDIT) Grant Application - Economic Development Capacity Building
* Poll of Council - Potato House Letters of Support Request
* Building Bylaw Amendments
* Professional Boxing Event - May 30 & 31, 2020 - Request for Alcohol Sales
* BC Games Society 2024/2026 Bid Package (Editor's Note -- Quesnel Council has received the same information and will be considered at their Executive Committee this Wednesday, as noted above)

View the full Agenda here

100 Mile House - Regular Council Meeting on Tuesday, February 11th at 7pm in 100 Mile Council Chambers (385 Birch Avenue).  On the Agenda

* In-Camera Session at 6:30pm on Feb 11th as per Section 90(1c/g - labour and potential or actual litigation) of the Community Charter

* By-law Officer's report for January 2020
* Cannabis Retail Stores - Hours of Operation
* Rapid Needs Assessment & Ec Dev Update
* Water Conservation Plan
* Funding Application for Sewer Treatment Plant
* Debris Grinding/Removal Contract

View the full Agenda here

Cariboo Regional District - Meetings as noted below:

South Cariboo Joint Committee - Regular Meeting on Monday, Feb 10th at 12pm in 100 Mile House Council Chambers.  On the Agenda:

* Delegation #1 at 12:30pm - Leo Holthuysen, President of 100 Mile Royal Canadian Legion re: Rememberance Day services
* Delegation #2 at 1:00pm - Irene Meili, President, Fishing Hwy Tourist Association, and Manuela Betschart, past president, Fishing Hwy Tourist Association, will be appearing on behalf of the group “Land of Hidden Waters” to discuss the groups marketing efforts.

* Canlan Ice Sports - South Cariboo Recreation Centre 2019 Operating Subsidy

* In-Camera Session as per Section 90(1k - negotiations) of the Community Charter

View the full Agenda here

North Cariboo Rural Caucus - Regular Meeting on Tuesday, February 11th at 3pm in the CRD Quesnel Office (102-410 Kinchant St).  On the Agenda:

* Agricultural Development Advisory Committee - Committee to provide update
* Discussion Items -- Appointment of Vice Co-Chair of the North Cariboo Joint Committee and Additions to North Cariboo Recreation Service

View the full Agenda here

North Cariboo Joint Committee - Regular Meeting on Tuesday, February 11th at 5:30pm in the Gallery Roundtable area - Quesnel Council Chambers (4th Floor, 410 Kinchant St).  On the Agenda:

* Terms of Reference discussion for the North Cariboo Joint Committee

View the full Agenda here

Protective Services Committee - Regular Meeting on Wednesday, February 12th at 1:30pm in the Cariboo RD Williams Lake Boardroom (180D North 3rd Avenue, Williams Lake).  On the Agenda:

* Verbal Update from the Manager of Protective Services

CCRHD Board - Regular Meeting on Thursday, February 13th at 9:30am in the Cariboo RD Williams Lake Boardroom.  On the Agenda:

* Delegation -- Jenn Goodwin, Interior Health VP Communications & Culture, will appear before the Board to talk about the IH Vision, Mission and Values statements

* Cariboo Chilcotin Regional Hospital District Capital Expenditure (Northern Health - Phase 3, Community Health Record Project) Bylaw No. 162, 2020 -- for 3 Readings and Adoption

* Cariboo Chilcotin Regional Hospital District Capital Expenditure (Northern Health – Personal Health Record/Portal Project) Bylaw No. 163, 2020 -- for 3 Readings and Adoption

* Interior Health’s Response to the CCRHD Request to back-end fund the Cariboo Memorial Hospital Project

View the full Agenda here

Cariboo RD Board - Regular Meeting on Thursday, February 13th following adjournment of the CCRHD Board.  Meeting to be held in the Cariboo RD's Williams Lake Boardroom.  On the Agenda:

* Delegation: Steve Kozuki, FESBC Executive Director, and Meggin Messenger, Executive Director Strategic Initiatives, Office of the Chief Forester, will appear before the Board to talk about the economic, environmental, and social benefits of FESBC-funded projects and an update on current projects in the region.

* Various Land Use Items

* Grant Application for New Community Well and Pumphouse at Lac La Hache
* Water Conservation Plan for Lac La Hache Water System
* Numerous NDIT Applications
* Fire Department Spending Authority Correction Plan
* Electoral Area Sign Replacement
* Charge North Request for Funding ($4,000)
* Ministry of FLNRORD - Invitation for Partnership in Quesnel TSA Community Forest Agreement
* NCLGA 2020 Resolutions for Consideration
* Request for Letter of Support from City of Williams Lake - Water Treatment Plant Grant Application
* Committee Recommendations for Endorsement
* Item re: NCLGA's Cariboo RD rep for forthcoming 2020-21 term
* Requests from Directors Sjostrom, Bachmeier, Richmond to access their Area Director Initiative Funds
* Request from Director S. Forseth re: Proposed Changes to ALR Regulations and Residential Flexibility in the ALR (refer to Area APC's and North Cariboo Ag Development Advisory Committee)

* In-Camera Session as per Section 90(1g - potential or actual litigation) of the Community Charter 

View the full Agenda here

West Fraser Rd rebuild moves forward

Courtesy of the Government of BC:

Funding is in place and plans are moving ahead to rebuild and realign West Fraser Road, replacing the road that was heavily damaged by flooding in 2018.

Once complete, the new road will provide local people with a safe, reliable and efficient roadway to get to and from their homes, schools, jobs and appointments.

“The West Fraser Road washout has had significant impacts to people and local communities, and we are committed to a long-term solution,” said the Hon. Claire Trevena, BC's Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure. “I appreciate people’s patience throughout this very challenging time. The ministry continues to work on maintaining the alternative route, while ensuring safe travel through the area by building a new road.”

In April 2018, high water levels from the spring freshet caused Narcosli Creek to erode five sections of West Fraser Road on the west side of the Fraser River, approximately 17 kilometres south of Quesnel. The damage was severe, resulting in the road being closed over a three-kilometre section.

“We are pleased the funding is in place and the rebuilding of the West Fraser Road will start,” said Chief Roy Stump and Councillors William Baptiste, Howard Johnny and Chad Stump of the ?Esdilagh First Nation. “There has been a significant impact to our community since the washout of the West Fraser Road. With the washout, we travel a longer distance to get to Quesnel and our children have had to endure additional travel time to get to school, reducing their time at home. Realigning the West Fraser Road will provide ?Esdilagh with the proper egress route to Quesnel and decrease the amount of industry traffic we have to encounter – overall, providing more safety for our members.”

The ministry is finalizing the detailed design for the new road, which will bypass the active slide areas along the section washed out in 2018. Work will include the construction of five kilometres of two-lane road on a new alignment, a new bridge crossing Narcosli Creek and rock stabilization work along the new route.

Upon completion of the final engineering design activities, the ministry will hold a public information session in spring 2020 to share the finalized design and project timelines. Construction is expected to begin later this year. Completion is slated for late 2022.

Since the washout, a detour route has been in place via the Garner and Webster Lake Road system. Government has invested nearly $2 million to improve the route. Local ministry staff and the maintenance contractor continue to ensure the detour remains safe and reliable for road users.

Quick Facts:

• The project, which is estimated to cost up to $103.4 million, has been approved in principle for funding support through Public Safety Canada’s Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangement.
• West Fraser Road provides access to the ?Esdilagh First Nation community, ranches, logging activities, farming lands and local residences.

Learn More:

For more information on West Fraser Road, including aerial washout footage, visit: https://www.gov.bc.ca/westfraserroad

Sustainable forest management?

Courtesy of the City of Quesnel:

Editor's Note -- weekly column by Quesnel Mayor Bob Simpson.  He can be reached via email here

Last week at the Natural Resource Forum in Prince George, I participated in a panel discussion on the topic of sustainable forest management. The question the panelists were asked to address was whether British Columbia remains a world leader in sustainable forestry. 

In my opening comments at the Forum I noted that there is a consistent mantra used by BC’s government, industry, and professional forestry association to answer this question: ‘BC is a world leader in sustainable forest management because we only harvest less than one percent of the timber harvesting land base each year, plant three trees for every one cut down, and have more forest land under third-party certification than any other jurisdiction.’

This is a rather simplistic response to a very complex question; a question that has dominated an ongoing debate about forest management in British Columbia since before the first Royal Commission on Forestry tabled its report in 1910.

More to the point, if we are sustainably managing our public forests, why are communities experiencing mill closures and dramatic job losses, why is the annual allowable cut declining so rapidly, why are companies saying that BC is not economic to operate in, and why are our forests experiencing such massive and unprecedented disturbances (pests, diseases, wildfires, etc.)?

Yes, a rapidly changing climate is partly responsible for the extent of the latest Mountain Pine Beetle epidemic and the back-to-back unprecedented wildfire seasons we experienced in 2017 and 2018. But, a major reason these events are unprecedented is absolutely a result of forest management choices we’ve made. For example, decades of forest fire suppression, the accumulation of massive waste piles during salvage logging operations, and the use of static reserves to protect non-timber values are all forest management practices that have, without question, contributed to the current sorry state of our forest ecosystems.

Forests are one of the most complex ecosystems on the planet and one of the slowest to adapt to a changing climate. Planting three trees for every one cut down in harvested blocks does not guarantee forest health at the large landscape level. Having a lot of harvested areas certified to a set of rules based on timber management doesn’t mean that BC’s forest ecosystems, overall, are being managed sustainably.

We also know, based on solid data and good science, that if we apply our current forest management practices to the forest land base west of the Fraser in the Quesnel Timber Supply Area (QTSA) (and other heavily disturbed forest ecosystems elsewhere in the Province) we’re setting it up for another massive Mountain Pine Beetle infestation and even more massive wildfires in the coming decades. So, how can our current practices be called “world leading”?

We’re fortunate here in Quesnel that industry, First Nations, local government, and provincial government staff are willing to embrace the deep complexity embedded in the question about whether or not we’re managing our forests sustainably. This week, all these partners came together to begin the technical work needed to create a plan to restore the deeply damaged forests in the QTSA to ecological resiliency and adaptability at the large landscape level.

This very important process is now underway as a result of an alignment between the City’s Future of Forests Think Tank process, new landscape level planning pilots established by the Provincial government, and a deep desire by our industry, First Nations, and government leaders to develop a new approach to forest management in our region.

This week we took our first steps toward developing a new, landscape-level management regime that we hope will enable all ecosystems in the QTSA to be more adaptable and resilient to a changing climate. Only by focusing on ecological resiliency can we hope to ensure that Quesnel’s forest economy will be resilient too.

Quesnel Council Highlights - Feb 4th mtg

Courtesy of the City of Quesnel:

Notice on Title – 379 Doherty Drive 

Council approved placing a Notice on Title for property located 379 Doherty Drive due to the property owner constructing a suite without a permit, and not taking actions to remedy this issue as well as other building infractions.  Staff advised that the property owner is occupying the premises following the posting of a “Do Not Occupy” Notice.  Bylaw enforcement will continue to monitor this property and enforce the City’s bylaw(s) contraventions/remediation action(s) accordingly.

Temporary Borrowing Bylaw – New Public Works Facility

In October 2018, a referendum was held that authorized borrowing of $8.5 million for the new Public Works Facility.  With construction scheduled to begin this spring of the new Public Works Facility, Council approved the first three readings of proposed Bylaw 1884 that would permit the City to draw temporary borrowing funds for this project.  Temporary borrowing allows the City to draw funds from the Municipal Finance Authority, as needed, rather than borrowing the full amount of $8.5 million before it is required and having to pay interest on the full amount.  Near the end of this project, the full debenture debt will be taken, and all temporary loans will be paid back with the funds from the debenture debt. 

Central Mountain Air – Lease and Air Service Agreement

Council approved the City entering into a five-year Lease and Air Service Agreement with Central Mountain Air Limited for the use of space at the Quesnel Regional Airport.  Highlights of this agreement include:

• A per-passenger fee increase from $12 to $20 to be parity with the Williams Lake Airport effective March 1, 2020;
• 2% increase each year of the agreement for lease rates for space in the terminal building and the storage facility
• Term of the agreement is March 1, 2020 to February 28, 2025.

City of Quesnel & Cariboo Regional District – Memorandum of Understanding

Council approved the renewal of the master Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that typically relates to the costs of service(s) provided by the City of Quesnel to the City’s surrounding fringe Cariboo Regional District Electoral Areas A, B, C residents and vice versa (the Cariboo Regional District Board approved the renewal of this MOU on January 17, 2020).  This MOU includes the following services:  landfill; cemetery; invasive plant management; transit and HandyDART; Quesnel fringe fire protection; recycling; parks and recreation; emergency social services; landfill closure agreement; fire training centre and mutual aid fire protection.  The MOU is for five years, with the exception of the invasive plant management service that will be reassessed after two years.

Northern Development Initiatives Trust – Grant Applications

Council approved City staff to submit the following Northern Development Initiatives Trust grant applications:

• $250,000 – Economic Diversification Infrastructure - Quesnel & District Museum Renovations. 
• $15,000 – Community Halls and Recreation Facilities – West Fraser Centre Guardrails
• $9,000 – Marketing Initiatives – Explore Cariboo Marketing Campaign

Bylaws

• 1884 – Temporary Borrowing Bylaw – Construction of New Public Works Facility – First, Second, and Third Readings

Next Meetings

• 5:30 pm – February 11, 2020 – North Cariboo Joint Planning Committee
• 6:00 pm – February 18, 2020 – Regular Meeting

Steve's Meeting/Expense Calendar - January 2020

In the month of January 2020, I attended the following meetings or events:

* January 15th - CRD Finance/Budget Committee meeting

* January 16th - CRD Special Board Meeting (Delegations)

* January 17th - CCRHD/CRD Board Meetings

* January 21st - Meeting at McLeese Lake re: Proposed Feasibility Study for Solar Energy Facility in McLeese Lake/Macalister areas

* January 22nd - January 2020 Central Cariboo Rural Directors' Caucus meeting

* January 28-30, 2020 -- 2020 BC Natural Resources Forum in Prince George

* January 31st, 2020 - Day 1 of 2 - North Central Local Government Association's Board of Directors' meeting

As of expenses submitted in the month of January 2020:

* January 15th - $206 for CRD Finance/Budget Committee meeting

* January 17th - $206 for  CCRHD/CRD Board Meetings

* January 22nd - $83 for Central Cariboo Rural Directors' Caucus meeting

* January 28th - 30, 2020 -- $263.45 for mileage from WL-Prince George roundtrip to attend 2020 BC Natural Resources Forum in Prince George; $599 to register for the 2020 BC Natural Resources Forum.  No charge for 2 day hotel stay as a result of hotel overbooking.  Marriott Courtyard in Prince George paid for my 2 day stay at Travelodge Goldcap in PG...

SF