Disposal of biosolids topic for all-day TNRD session

Jar of biosolids. (Image: Mel Rothenburger File photo)

The TNRD board will immerse itself in biosolids — the subject, not the stuff — at an all-day workshop Friday, July 20.

The board will hear from experts on alternative methods of handling biosolids other than applying them to land. Biosolids are the material left over after sewage treatment, and are commonly used for agricultural purposes.

Topics at the session, for which the board approved up to $25,000 to cover costs, will include various technologies, especially thermal disposal.

The use of biosolids on agricultural lands has become particularly controversial in the Nicola Valley and Kamloops.

McLure residents to vote on fire department in June 23 referendum

McLURE – Residents of McLure will vote June 23 on whether the McLure Fire Department should become a TNRD-operated service.

About 30 people attended an information meeting in the fire hall Thursday night (May 24, 2018) as a follow-up to a meeting April 4 at which there was strong support for holding a referendum on the issue.

Due to liability concerns and changes in provincial regulations, the TNRD decided earlier this year to cease collecting taxes for society-run fire departments at the end of 2022. The McLure fire board then applied to the TNRD to come under its wing.

At Thursday’s meeting, TNRD reps explained the background to the situation, financial implications for homeowners, and the referendum process.

Report recommends financial support for rural fire services

(Image: Abbott-Chapman Report)

An independent review of flood and wildfire practices commissioned by the B.C. government holds some potentially good news for rural fire departments.

The report, called Addressing the New Normal: 21^stCentury Disaster Management in British Columbia, summarizes the findings of co-chairs George Abbott and Chief Maureen Chapman.

Among its 108 recommendations are several relating to rural fire services.

One of the most important is recommendation 84, which states, “The Office of the Fire Commissioner, in conjunction with the BC Wildfire Service, be encouraged to develop a strategy that supports First Nations communities and rural and remote communities that lack capacity for fully resourced fire departments but seek emergency training and response capacity.”

East Shuswap Rd. residents back home after brush fire

Residents of Country View Estates on East Shuswap Road were temporarily evacuated Friday night (May 18, 2018) after a brush fire broke out in the 3000 block.

The fire was reported about 9 p.m. BC Wildfire Crews quickly brought the fire under control and crews remained on scene overnight to monitor.

Due to the proximity of the fire to the Country View Estates mobile home park, residents were evacuated as a precaution until the fire was confirmed as being under control.  All residents have since returned.

The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.

City council takes no action on residents’ request for support on Lafarge

Lafarge officials talk to residents at meeting in April.

Kamloops City council took no action Tuesday (May 15, 2018) on a request to support changes to an application from Lafarge for new air emissions.

Doug Mears and Gina Morris appeared at the council meeting asking council to back an extension on public input on the application to Oct. 31, and that Lafarge be required to get a new permit instead of amending its current one.

They spoke on behalf of the Citizens for Compliance committee formed by residents living near Lafarge, as well as the Kamloops Area Preservation Association and the Kamloops Moms for Clean Air.

But Mayor Ken Christian pointed out the public-input deadline has already been extended to May 31 at council’s request, and suggested residents take their proposal directly to the Ministry of Environment.

He said the difference between a new permit and an amendment to the existing permit is “a technical decision” in which the City has no say.

Lafarge wants to produce gypsum and pumice flour at the plant.

Residents, who live in Electoral Area P although Lafarge is within City boundaries, are concerned about fugitive dust and other possible pollution and contend the current deadline won’t allow enough time to collect and analyze data.

They say a new permit would require a more rigorous process than an amendment.

Residents form lobby committee on Lafarge application

Neighbours of Lafarge Kamloops have formed a lobby group to push for higher standards in an air-emissions permit amendment sought by the company.

Members of the newly formed Citizens for Compliance (CFC) said today (Monday, May 7, 2018) in a media release they’re concerned about health effects from fine dust Lafarge hopes to grind from gypsum and pumice.

According to the media release, dust escape from the plant is conservatively estimated at 17 tonnes per year, with at least five to 10 per cent of that ‘fine particulate.’

They also have concerns about the gases Lafarge will use to “cook” the pumice, monitoring of emissions, enforcement of standards, and other issues.

Lafarge held a public-information session on the project April 5, and has since said it will establish a community liaison committee of its own.

“We want the Ministry of Environment to hold them to the highest possible standard, to protect our health, our possessions, and for some of us, our livelihoods as well,” said nearby resident and CFC member George Doonan.

“We’re trying to get our voices into the equation,” said Doonan.

“Part of the problem is that on either side of Lafarge we are TNRD, but Lafarge is in the city tax base. The city feels no responsibility for us, and the TNRD doesn’t want to be involved either. We’re stuck in the middle with nobody to speak for us.”

May 31 is the tentative cut-off date for public submissions to government on the proposal.

Local state of emergency in Electoral Area M

UPDATE: The TNRD will hold a public meeting for Stump Lake residents at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, May 4, 2018 at the church at Douglas Lake Road and Highway 5A. TNRD and provincial representatives will attend to answer questions about rising levels in Stump Lake.

A state of local emergency due to flooding was declared today (May 3, 2018) in Electoral Area M (Nicola Valley-North).

A state of local emergency allows local authorities to exercise emergency powers to order the evacuation of residents from their homes, prohibit travel and enter private property when an emergency threatens lives, properties or the environment within the Thompson-Nicola Regional District’s jurisdiction.

No evacuation alerts or orders have been put into effect so far in Electoral Area M, which includes Stump Lake, where residents have been asking that the water level be lowered.