Regional District of Fraser-Fort George directors were provided an update on the district’s Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) activations and emergency events for this year.
The EOC was first activated in April of 2020 as a result of high water events in the Chilako River area from the spring freshet. The biggest events came in June and July near McBride. At the end of June, residents along the Dore River just west of McBride experienced significant property erosion from high water and debris. In early July a debris event on the Willox Creek brought significant mud and rock to a number of properties on Mountainview Road near McBride.
The regional district worked closely with a number of agencies including Emergency Management BC, Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, Lakes District Maintenance, Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development and Water Stewardship in responding to these events.
New Bylaw Enforcement Policy approved
The regional district board approved a new policy for bylaw enforcement. The previous policy was adopted in 1998 and last revised in 2001. The policy was written to provide a clear understanding and guidance from the regional district board to administration on how to enforce regional district bylaws. The new policy still sees efforts focused on bringing issues and parties to compliance before bringing files requiring complex decisions to Board to proceed to enforcement if required.
The board also approved changes to the unsightly premises bylaw as well as implementation of additional tools to help the bylaw enforcement officer move forward on files if voluntary compliance cannot be reached.
Community Grants
The board approved the following request for Community and Recreation Grants:
- $21,000 to the Pilot Mountain Fire Fighter Club for firefighting and storage equipment
- $24,000 to the Pineview Recreation Commission for operating expenses
- $29,700 to the Willow River Recreation Association for well servicing, hall maintenance, programs, utilities and insurance
- $500 to the Robson Valley Beekeepers Association for equipment for beekeeping course
- $3,000 to the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #75 for insurance, program and operating expenses
- $3,500 to the Yellowhead Ski Club for maintenance, signage, insurance and volunteer appreciation