Posted on 12/21/2015 by Pete McIntyre 107.5 KISSFM
The results are in from the first phase of a new study of Coldstream Creek. The creek, which originates on Silver Star Mountain, provides 80 percent of the surface water entering Kalamalka Lake, a key local water source, but is known for poor water quality at times of the year. Trina Koch from the Society for the Protection of Kalamalka Lake, says they took 142 samples at 55 locations along the creek in August and September (low water flow), which were sent to a firm to be analyzed. She says they found high levels of chloride and nitrates near a former dairy farm west of School Road in Lavington. "There is three culverts there that enter Coldstream Creek, and the culverts flow under Highway 6. They are intercepting spring water that is flowing underneath that old dairy form," Koch tells Kiss FM. Koch says the District of Coldstream is aware of the problem, and is looking to build a wetland to remedy it. A culvert at Brewer Road was also found to a significant point source of contaminants. Koch says the results showed the Coldstream Ranch was not causing water quality issues. "I know that they've worked hard to keep the creek clean, and Coldstream Ranch was not indicated as a problem in this study." Koch says they are recommending more riparian plantings along the creek, more storm water treatments, and encouraging hobby farms along the creek to limit horse access to the stream. Koch says the study looked at chlorides, nitrates, sulfates and electrical conductivity in the stream, focusing on those because they are indicative of human influence and water quality. "It's just a snapshot at this point, and you can't make broad conclusions," says Koch. Two more sets of samples, one during the high spring flow and another next summer, will finish off the study in 2016. Funding for the first phase came from a $20,000 grant fro the Okanagan Basin Water Board.
Showing posts with label OBWB. Show all posts
Showing posts with label OBWB. Show all posts
Monday, December 21, 2015
Wednesday, August 05, 2015
Drought rating maxed out
by Nicholas Johansen CASTANET - Aug 5, 2015 / 4:09 pm
The B.C. government has extended a Level 4 drought rating to the Okanagan after months of dry, hot weather. In addition to the Level 4 rating, the province has taken the additional step of suspending fishing on the Okanagan River between Okanagan Lake and Osoyoos Lake until Sept. 30. This now brings the highest drought rating to the Similkameen, Nicola, South Thompson and Kettle regions in addition to the Okanagan. The government said in a release that further declines in water levels could affect people, industry, agriculture and fish stocks. It is urging residents to maximize water conservation, but water utilities have the final say on imposing restrictions on users. “Water restrictions are imposed depending on the body of water they’re looking at,” said Anna Sears, executive director at the Okanagan Basin Water Board. The raising of the drought level could result in more water restrictions. “It really remains to be seen,” said Sears. “It’s going to depend on how much storage your utility has. It’s going to depend on how the weather unfolds over the next month.” The long-term weather is looking to be very dry through August and September, according to Sears. “In response to Level 3 in the past couple weeks, the City of Kelowna put on watering restrictions,” Sears said. “Level 4 is much more serious. There isn’t a level 5, so we’re assuming there will be more watering restrictions from water utilities.” In Metro Vancouver, already under a Level 4 drought rating, the municipality has imposed strong watering restrictions, where residents can be fined $250 for watering lawns or hand washing their car.
The B.C. government has extended a Level 4 drought rating to the Okanagan after months of dry, hot weather. In addition to the Level 4 rating, the province has taken the additional step of suspending fishing on the Okanagan River between Okanagan Lake and Osoyoos Lake until Sept. 30. This now brings the highest drought rating to the Similkameen, Nicola, South Thompson and Kettle regions in addition to the Okanagan. The government said in a release that further declines in water levels could affect people, industry, agriculture and fish stocks. It is urging residents to maximize water conservation, but water utilities have the final say on imposing restrictions on users. “Water restrictions are imposed depending on the body of water they’re looking at,” said Anna Sears, executive director at the Okanagan Basin Water Board. The raising of the drought level could result in more water restrictions. “It really remains to be seen,” said Sears. “It’s going to depend on how much storage your utility has. It’s going to depend on how the weather unfolds over the next month.” The long-term weather is looking to be very dry through August and September, according to Sears. “In response to Level 3 in the past couple weeks, the City of Kelowna put on watering restrictions,” Sears said. “Level 4 is much more serious. There isn’t a level 5, so we’re assuming there will be more watering restrictions from water utilities.” In Metro Vancouver, already under a Level 4 drought rating, the municipality has imposed strong watering restrictions, where residents can be fined $250 for watering lawns or hand washing their car.
Tuesday, June 16, 2015
Milfoil hits hard, early
by Nicholas Johansen CASTANET - Jun 16, 2015 / 3:30 pm
That may not be the Ogopogo grabbing at your feet in Okanagan Lake this summer. The invasive aquatic weed, Eurasian Milfoil, has turned up in the Okanagan earlier than usual, thanks to the hot weather and the early spring run-off from the mountains. “We spent extra time on the water over the winter trying to get ahead of the summer growing season, but we just can’t compete with the changing climate,” said James Littley, operations and grants manager for the Okanagan Basin Water Board. While he said there has been a steady increase in milfoil in recent years, this year is particularly bad. From a tourism perspective, unchecked milfoil growth can have serious economic impacts. A 2014 study of 1,258 American lakeshore properties found that milfoil results in a 19 per cent decline in mean property values. But milfoil does more than just keep tourists out of the water. There are environmental problems the invasive weed brings with it as well. “It robs oxygen from the water and takes nutrients out,” said Littley. “It’s basically bad for water quality, it can increase toxic algae blooms, it can cause fish kills and it crowds out other native species.” In the winter months, the OBWB uses a rototiller to churn up six to eight inches of the lake floor, which kills the weed. In the summer, crews simply cut the weed six feet down, to keep the weed from the surface. But milfoil can grow at an alarming five cm a day. “By the time we cut it six feet down, within a month it's back at the surface again,” Littley said. Milfoil removal is prohibited near the mouths of creeks until July 21, due to fishery restrictions. "Because it's (starting) earlier and we're not allowed to start until the normal time, there’s gonna be a month or two where it's bad,"Littley said. The OBWB has battled milfoil in the Okanagan lakes for 41 years and spent a total of $18 million. Littley said the origin of the invasive plant is unknown, but it is sold as an aquatic plant for fish tanks so it could have been introduced when someone emptied their tank. It could also have been brought over on someone’s boat.For more information on the OBWB’s milfoil program, visit www.obwb.ca/milfoil.
Tuesday, April 08, 2014
Coldstream contamination case spotlights local government liability
by Richard Rolke - Lake Country Calendar posted Apr 7, 2014 at 7:00 PM
Okanagan water suppliers are being warned to learn from a contamination case. Okanagan Basin Water Board officials have been briefed on the 2010 contamination of the Antwerp Springs well in Coldstream and the Regional District of North Okanagan subsequently being found guilty on a variety of charges and being fined $18,540. “It’s an issue that could be relevant to other local governments,” said Anna Warwick Sears, OBWB executive director. “There is a concern about liability and what due diligence you need to do beforehand.” On Jan. 13, 2010, the North Okanagan endured heavy rains. The ground was still frozen and significant flooding occurred in many areas. In the case of Antwerp Springs, manure from an adjacent pasture was washed into a shallow well, causing contamination and forcing thousands of people off the source. Two-and-a-half years later, RDNO was charged with operating a well in a manner to cause adverse impact, introducing foreign matter into a well, allowing contamination of drinking water and failing to provide potable water. “We were operating the well in complete agreement with Interior Health,” said Zee Marcolin, Greater Vernon Water manager. “We felt we were operating the well in the best possible way. The well had never experienced any (quality) advisory and it was better quality water than surface water.” Despite RDNO’s confidence, the court disagreed and the district was found guilty and sentenced on all charges in January 2014. “There are tons of lessons to be learned,” said Marcolin, adding that all water utilities should review recommendations from consultants’ reports and ensure there is a paper-trail when it comes to actions taken. “Don’t put the reports on shelves. Identify why you are not doing something with it.” Marcolin also cautioned OBWB directors that they carry significant liabilities but have no authority when it comes to some matters. “Manure spreading occurs but you can’t do anything about it,” she said. “Legislation says you must put in filtration but if you go for voter assent and the voters say no, what do we do?” Another factor no one has control over is extreme weather such as the 2010 rain storm. “These events are coming up more and more,” said Marcolin. During her presentation, Marcolin pointed out that some old drainage and irrigation pipes were located and their existence didn’t show up in any files, but Greater Vernon Water was still held responsible for them. That raised concerns around the OBWB table. “There is hidden stuff people don’t know about and if this is replicated in other places, it’s worrisome,” said director Keith Fielding.
Okanagan water suppliers are being warned to learn from a contamination case. Okanagan Basin Water Board officials have been briefed on the 2010 contamination of the Antwerp Springs well in Coldstream and the Regional District of North Okanagan subsequently being found guilty on a variety of charges and being fined $18,540. “It’s an issue that could be relevant to other local governments,” said Anna Warwick Sears, OBWB executive director. “There is a concern about liability and what due diligence you need to do beforehand.” On Jan. 13, 2010, the North Okanagan endured heavy rains. The ground was still frozen and significant flooding occurred in many areas. In the case of Antwerp Springs, manure from an adjacent pasture was washed into a shallow well, causing contamination and forcing thousands of people off the source. Two-and-a-half years later, RDNO was charged with operating a well in a manner to cause adverse impact, introducing foreign matter into a well, allowing contamination of drinking water and failing to provide potable water. “We were operating the well in complete agreement with Interior Health,” said Zee Marcolin, Greater Vernon Water manager. “We felt we were operating the well in the best possible way. The well had never experienced any (quality) advisory and it was better quality water than surface water.” Despite RDNO’s confidence, the court disagreed and the district was found guilty and sentenced on all charges in January 2014. “There are tons of lessons to be learned,” said Marcolin, adding that all water utilities should review recommendations from consultants’ reports and ensure there is a paper-trail when it comes to actions taken. “Don’t put the reports on shelves. Identify why you are not doing something with it.” Marcolin also cautioned OBWB directors that they carry significant liabilities but have no authority when it comes to some matters. “Manure spreading occurs but you can’t do anything about it,” she said. “Legislation says you must put in filtration but if you go for voter assent and the voters say no, what do we do?” Another factor no one has control over is extreme weather such as the 2010 rain storm. “These events are coming up more and more,” said Marcolin. During her presentation, Marcolin pointed out that some old drainage and irrigation pipes were located and their existence didn’t show up in any files, but Greater Vernon Water was still held responsible for them. That raised concerns around the OBWB table. “There is hidden stuff people don’t know about and if this is replicated in other places, it’s worrisome,” said director Keith Fielding.
Wednesday, March 19, 2014
Invasive mussels stopped from entering the Okanagan
by Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star posted Mar 19, 2014 at 6:00 PM
The Okanagan escaped a close call with an invasive species that has devastated ecosystems across North America. On March 12, a Canada Customs official at the Osoyoos border crossing stopped a vehicle pulling a boat from Texas. It was headed for moorage in Okanagan Lake and it was infested with what was believed to be zebra or quagga mussels. "It's because of the awareness raised by the Okanagan Basin Water Board that the customs officer acted," said Juliette Cunningham, an OBWB director. The federal customs officer had no legislative authority to refuse entry to the vehicle, but B.C. conservation officers were contacted and a decontamination unit was sent to the scene. The mussels are native to Europe but were introduced to North America and since then, they have spread across the continent, clogging water intake pipes, pumps and boat motors. They also deplete food sources for fish and produce toxins that kill fish and birds and contaminate drinking water. There is also a recreational impact as the razor-sharp shells can spread across beaches. The OBWB has suggested it could cost $43 million a year to manage the mussels if they arrive in the valley. Because of the potential risk, OBWB has been lobbying the federal government to permit border guards to inspect boars and prohibit entry of any contaminated vessels. It also wants the provincial government to make it illegal to transport live or dead invasive mussels and create an inspection program. A report suggests that 19 per cent of the infected boats stopped in Idaho in the last five years were on their way to B.C. and Alberta
The Okanagan escaped a close call with an invasive species that has devastated ecosystems across North America. On March 12, a Canada Customs official at the Osoyoos border crossing stopped a vehicle pulling a boat from Texas. It was headed for moorage in Okanagan Lake and it was infested with what was believed to be zebra or quagga mussels. "It's because of the awareness raised by the Okanagan Basin Water Board that the customs officer acted," said Juliette Cunningham, an OBWB director. The federal customs officer had no legislative authority to refuse entry to the vehicle, but B.C. conservation officers were contacted and a decontamination unit was sent to the scene. The mussels are native to Europe but were introduced to North America and since then, they have spread across the continent, clogging water intake pipes, pumps and boat motors. They also deplete food sources for fish and produce toxins that kill fish and birds and contaminate drinking water. There is also a recreational impact as the razor-sharp shells can spread across beaches. The OBWB has suggested it could cost $43 million a year to manage the mussels if they arrive in the valley. Because of the potential risk, OBWB has been lobbying the federal government to permit border guards to inspect boars and prohibit entry of any contaminated vessels. It also wants the provincial government to make it illegal to transport live or dead invasive mussels and create an inspection program. A report suggests that 19 per cent of the infected boats stopped in Idaho in the last five years were on their way to B.C. and Alberta
Sunday, March 09, 2014
Region takes aim at mussels
by Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star posted Mar 9, 2014 at 1:00 AM
Local officials are continuing to urge senior counterparts to join the fight against invasive mussels. The Regional District of North Okanagan board has been told the Okanagan Basin Water Board is lobbying the provincial and federal governments to inspect B.C.’s borders to prevent the spread of the invasive zebra and quagga mussels. “There’s been a lot of work done in the U.S. so we don’t need to reinvent the wheel,” said director Juliette Cunningham. The mussels, which are from Europe originally and have spread across North America, clog water intake pipes, pumps and boat motors. They also deplete food sources for fish and produce toxins that kill fish and birds and contaminate drinking water. There is also a recreational impact as the razor-sharp shells can spread across beaches. OBWB has suggested it could cost $43 million a year to manage the mussels if they arrive in the valley. A recent report suggests that 19 per cent of the infected boats stopped in Idaho in the last five years were on their way to B.C. and Alberta. “It’s a concrete direction and not just ringing alarm bells,” said Cunningham of border inspections. “The longer we delay the potential of the mussels arriving in the Okanagan, the better potential we have to deal with it.”
Local officials are continuing to urge senior counterparts to join the fight against invasive mussels. The Regional District of North Okanagan board has been told the Okanagan Basin Water Board is lobbying the provincial and federal governments to inspect B.C.’s borders to prevent the spread of the invasive zebra and quagga mussels. “There’s been a lot of work done in the U.S. so we don’t need to reinvent the wheel,” said director Juliette Cunningham. The mussels, which are from Europe originally and have spread across North America, clog water intake pipes, pumps and boat motors. They also deplete food sources for fish and produce toxins that kill fish and birds and contaminate drinking water. There is also a recreational impact as the razor-sharp shells can spread across beaches. OBWB has suggested it could cost $43 million a year to manage the mussels if they arrive in the valley. A recent report suggests that 19 per cent of the infected boats stopped in Idaho in the last five years were on their way to B.C. and Alberta. “It’s a concrete direction and not just ringing alarm bells,” said Cunningham of border inspections. “The longer we delay the potential of the mussels arriving in the Okanagan, the better potential we have to deal with it.”Friday, February 14, 2014
Invasive mussels back in Okanagan group's cross-hairs
by Joe Fries - Penticton Western News posted Feb 13, 2014 at 3:00 PM
B.C. should take a page out of Idaho’s playbook if it wants to block the spread of invasive mussels into the Okanagan lake system, according to the agency tasked with protecting local waters. The Okanagan Basin Water Board has also renewed calls for the federal government to draw up new regulations that would make it illegal to transport invasive species, such as thumbnail-sized zebra and quagga mussels, across the Canada-U.S. border. “They’re on their way, and the more protection we have the better,” said OBWB executive director Anna Warwick Sears. Idaho’s state government in 2009 began charging boaters $10 a year to fund inspection stations at which vessels are checked for invasive mussels that foul in-lake equipment, such as water intakes, and destroy ecosystems. An OBWB-funded study estimated mussel-related damage could cost $40 million to repair in the first few years of colonization in the Okanagan. The mussels, which entered North America in the 1980s, have been detected as far west in Canada as Lake Winnipeg, but have reached California in the U.S. Idaho reported that in its program’s first five years, inspectors looked at nearly 200,000 boats, 105 of which were carrying invasive mussels. Nineteen percent of those contaminated vessels were headed to B.C. or Alberta. Warwick Sears said the Idaho program proves there’s a threat to waters here, but also illustrates a way to combat the risk. “This is how things should be done. (Idaho) is a government that’s taking things really seriously and I would like to get to the level they are at as soon as possible,” she said. The OBWB has recommended the federal and provincial governments set up a handful of inspection stations on the B.C.-Alberta and Canada-U.S. borders. Warwick Sears said Canada Border Services Agency officers could be trained to identify high-risk boats entering the country and then pass off the files to B.C. conservation officers, who could also handle the interprovincial crossings. But empowering CBSA officers to detain suspected mussel-bearing boats requires new federal regulations, she continued, and therein lies the problem. Consultation on the new regulations is till open, according to Fisheries and Oceans Canada, which offered no timeline for completion of that process. Okanagan-Coquihalla MP Dan Albas said he shares the OBWB’s concerns about invasive mussels and supports co-operation between the federal and provincial governments. “Obviously it’s important for us to intercept these kinds of boats on land and not on the water,” he said. Albas believes, however, that governments must fully explore the possibility of adding other entities, like commercial vehicle inspectors, into the mix. “Existing enforcement infrastructure with potentially enhanced fines for towing these vehicles may be one answer,” he said. B.C. Environment Ministry spokesman Dave Crebo said in a statement the province conducted a limited check-station program last summer and is now “considering a more comprehensive roadside inspection station project to stop boats and inspect them for mussels.” He noted the ministry works closely with partners in the U.S. and other western provinces to intercept contaminated boats headed to B.C. and that no viable invasive mussels have yet been detected here. The warning system failed in 2012, however, when a boat infested with dead mussels launched in Shuswap Lake, despite warnings from officials south of the border.
Wednesday, November 06, 2013
Water board holds the line on taxes
By Judie Steeves - Kelowna Capital News Updated: November 05, 2013 3:46 PM
Unlike some taxing authorities, the Okanagan Basin Water Board has not increased its budget over last year, so taxpayers will not see any increase on their annual tax bills next year—for that function. There was discussion of eventually including grants to municipalities for storm water treatment, in addition to the sewage facility grants currently provided, with director Tom Siddon from the south Okanagan asking if the board had the will to expand the benefits of that program, perhaps to include grants for tertiary treatment of sewage or other alternatives as well. West Kelowna Mayor Doug Findlater said he would have a problem with the OBWB going for more taxpayer dollars. On the other hand, he favoured letting the public know what a responsible organization the OBWB is, in not budgeting for increased expenditures in the coming year. The $3.4 million budget would cost property-owners about 5.8 cents per $1,000 of assessment in total, with 2.9 cents of that going to the sewage facilities grant program. The water milfoil control program costs about one cent per $1,000 in assessment, the same as last year, including a $40,000 addition to the equipment reserve, in case one of the milfoil rototilling or harvesting machines needs to be replaced in future. For the OBWB’s water management function, the requisition is 1.7 cents per $1,000, down from the previous year, and well under the two cents permitted for the program. Matching grants from other government agencies help keep costs down, noted executive-director Anna Warwick Sears in reporting to the board at its regular monthly meeting. Projects for the coming year include expansion of public education for water conservation and about invasive zebra mussels; building on water monitoring programs and other projects. The OBWB also contributes a portion of the cost for a Water Research Chair at UBC Okanagan.
Unlike some taxing authorities, the Okanagan Basin Water Board has not increased its budget over last year, so taxpayers will not see any increase on their annual tax bills next year—for that function. There was discussion of eventually including grants to municipalities for storm water treatment, in addition to the sewage facility grants currently provided, with director Tom Siddon from the south Okanagan asking if the board had the will to expand the benefits of that program, perhaps to include grants for tertiary treatment of sewage or other alternatives as well. West Kelowna Mayor Doug Findlater said he would have a problem with the OBWB going for more taxpayer dollars. On the other hand, he favoured letting the public know what a responsible organization the OBWB is, in not budgeting for increased expenditures in the coming year. The $3.4 million budget would cost property-owners about 5.8 cents per $1,000 of assessment in total, with 2.9 cents of that going to the sewage facilities grant program. The water milfoil control program costs about one cent per $1,000 in assessment, the same as last year, including a $40,000 addition to the equipment reserve, in case one of the milfoil rototilling or harvesting machines needs to be replaced in future. For the OBWB’s water management function, the requisition is 1.7 cents per $1,000, down from the previous year, and well under the two cents permitted for the program. Matching grants from other government agencies help keep costs down, noted executive-director Anna Warwick Sears in reporting to the board at its regular monthly meeting. Projects for the coming year include expansion of public education for water conservation and about invasive zebra mussels; building on water monitoring programs and other projects. The OBWB also contributes a portion of the cost for a Water Research Chair at UBC Okanagan.
Thursday, November 08, 2012
Water board budget holds the line
By Judie Steeves - Kelowna Capital News Published: November 08, 2012 12:00 PM
In keeping with its aims to run a lean organization providing the
best value, the Okanagan Basin Water Board’s budget for the coming year
is a “steady as she goes budget.” Executive-director Anna Warwick Sears says the plan is
to continue with the board’s projects and programs, but do it efficiently. Overall, the $3.4 million budget features a net
reduction of .15 per cent from the previous year, but the amount to be
levied on taxpayers will be just the same as last year, at 5.7 cents per
$1,000 of assessed value. The board approved the budget at Tuesday’s monthly
meeting, including an increased emphasis on the WaterWise education and
outreach program, building a hydrometric program to monitor stream
flows, developing new water quality projects, working with utilities on
water use reporting and continuing work on valley-wide drought
management. The OBWB is made up of representatives from the
regional district boards in the Okanagan-Similkameen, Central Okanagan
and North Okanagan. “There’s not the political climate for expansion. There’s lots to be done without going big,” commented Sears. Staff are focussing their work on using the tools at hand better, she said. “People are more hungry for information and education
so we’re putting more money toward our WaterWise program and putting on
workshops to get information about water to people,” she added.
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| 2012 OBWB Taxes RDNO |
Monday, October 15, 2012
RDNO Items of Interest
Board of Directors Wednesday, October 17, 2012 - 4:00 pm - Regular Agenda
- C. DELEGATIONS 1. Okanagan Basin Water Board - Anna Warwick Sears
10. RegionalDistrict North Okanagan Wetland Park – Reverter- Staff report dated September 24, 2012 RECOMMENDATION 16 Page 52 (Weighted Corporate Vote) That as recommended by the Greater Vernon Advisory Committee, staff be directed to proceed with the execution of the Possibility of Reverter Clause associated with the transfer of the Lot 1, Section 25, TWP 9, KAP52756 (Property behind Regional District)
- 12. Schedule Change for UBCO #90 Transit Route - Staff report dated October 5, 2012
RECOMMENDATION 18 Page 64 (Weighted Stakeholder Vote – Excludes Electoral Areas C and E) That the Implementation Agreement from BC Transit dated October 1, 2012 for service changes to the #90 Route (North Okanagan Connector) attached to the staff report dated October 5, 2012 - Schedule Change for UBCO #90 Transit Route, be endorsed.
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Sewer service costs increase for area of West Kelowna Estates
Wade Paterson - Kelowna Capital News Published: December 22, 2011 4:00 PM
A decreased grant to offset capital sewer project costs from the Okanagan Basin Water Board will mean increased costs for some West Kelowna Estates property owners. On Dec. 12, property owners were mailed a letter informing them that the grant was brought down from $32,665 to $23,737. The result is an annual increase of $37.91 per parcel. Karen Goodridge-Nagle, utility billing coordinator with the District of West Kelowna, said that the grant decrease was the result of an audit. "Last year the (Okanagan Basin Water Board) decided to do an audit on the grants, based on the criteria that they use for applying them. They found that they needed to make some adjustments on the amounts," said Goodridge-Nagle. Corinne Jackson, communications and research coordinator with the Okanagan Basin Water Board, said that the audit process was very positive and found significant savings for taxpayers. According to the minutes of the June 7, 2011 OBWB meeting, the audit recommended updates to the sewage facility grant program. Beforehand, the OBWB paid 18 per cent of the total project cost of eligible sewer upgrades, with the community first paying 2.5 mills of the converted assessment amount, which was capped at 105 per cent of the 1988 converted assessment amount for the properties being serviced. OBWB staff noted that those figures were outdated and difficult for communities to determine with any accuracy. The elimination of the 2.5 mill requirement was suggested, with a reduction of the grant to 16 per cent of the total project cost, which would keep the value of future grants consistent with the amounts awarded under the old terms of reference. Goodridge-Nagle said that the overall funding from grants for West Kelowna didn't decrease substantially; rather, the money was reallocated. According to Goodridge-Nagle, there are "quite a few" sewer debts in West Kelowna; six of which receive grants from the OBWB. One of the six areas—also located in the West Kelowna Estates region—received a substantial grant boost. The other five had their grants decreased; however, most property owners' costs went down due to a change in interest rates. "All the other areas (except a portion of West Kelowna Estates) happened to have a decrease in their interest rates." Goodridge-Nagle said that West Kelowna Estates property owners whose costs went up will likely have a similar decrease in interest rates in the next couple of years. She also was quick to mention that the OBWB has no obligation to provide property owners with the grant assistance. "I think what people forget is that this is like a gift from them. It's not something that is expected or promised; it's their grant program. They can administer it however they want."
A decreased grant to offset capital sewer project costs from the Okanagan Basin Water Board will mean increased costs for some West Kelowna Estates property owners. On Dec. 12, property owners were mailed a letter informing them that the grant was brought down from $32,665 to $23,737. The result is an annual increase of $37.91 per parcel. Karen Goodridge-Nagle, utility billing coordinator with the District of West Kelowna, said that the grant decrease was the result of an audit. "Last year the (Okanagan Basin Water Board) decided to do an audit on the grants, based on the criteria that they use for applying them. They found that they needed to make some adjustments on the amounts," said Goodridge-Nagle. Corinne Jackson, communications and research coordinator with the Okanagan Basin Water Board, said that the audit process was very positive and found significant savings for taxpayers. According to the minutes of the June 7, 2011 OBWB meeting, the audit recommended updates to the sewage facility grant program. Beforehand, the OBWB paid 18 per cent of the total project cost of eligible sewer upgrades, with the community first paying 2.5 mills of the converted assessment amount, which was capped at 105 per cent of the 1988 converted assessment amount for the properties being serviced. OBWB staff noted that those figures were outdated and difficult for communities to determine with any accuracy. The elimination of the 2.5 mill requirement was suggested, with a reduction of the grant to 16 per cent of the total project cost, which would keep the value of future grants consistent with the amounts awarded under the old terms of reference. Goodridge-Nagle said that the overall funding from grants for West Kelowna didn't decrease substantially; rather, the money was reallocated. According to Goodridge-Nagle, there are "quite a few" sewer debts in West Kelowna; six of which receive grants from the OBWB. One of the six areas—also located in the West Kelowna Estates region—received a substantial grant boost. The other five had their grants decreased; however, most property owners' costs went down due to a change in interest rates. "All the other areas (except a portion of West Kelowna Estates) happened to have a decrease in their interest rates." Goodridge-Nagle said that West Kelowna Estates property owners whose costs went up will likely have a similar decrease in interest rates in the next couple of years. She also was quick to mention that the OBWB has no obligation to provide property owners with the grant assistance. "I think what people forget is that this is like a gift from them. It's not something that is expected or promised; it's their grant program. They can administer it however they want."
Wednesday, August 03, 2011
NORD AGENDA HIGHLIGHTS
| Committee of the Whole | Wednesday, August 3, 2011 - 2:30 p.m. | Download PDF (2.55MB) |
- Renewal of OBWB extended Mandate for 3 more years:
- 3. Okanagan Kootenay Sterile Insect Release Program Page 121
- Letter dated June 16, 2011 - Presentation from Cara McCurrach, GM, Okanagan Kootenay S.I.R. Program
-------------------------
| Board of Directors | Wednesday, August 3, 2011 - 4:00 p.m. | Download PDF (6.6MB) |
- 1. Board of Directors – August 3, 2011 (Opportunity for Introduction of Late Items)
- 9. Waiver of Lot Frontage Request Jackson c/o M.E. Maddox [File No. 11-0098-F-WVR] - Staff report dated June 3, 2011
- 10. Waiver of Lot Frontage Request Ayotte [File No. 11-0077-F-WVR] - Staff report dated June 6, 2011
- 13. Electoral Area Annexation Impact Study - Staff report dated May 25, 2011 P 110
- 16. Property Transfer to the District of Coldstream - Staff report dated April 4, 2011
RECOMMENDATION 22 Page 120
(Customized Stakeholder Vote – Includes Coldstream, Vernon and Electoral Areas “B” and “C”) That as recommended by the Greater Vernon Advisory Committee, the agreement dated February 15th, 2011 between the District of Coldstream and the Regional District of North Okanagan regarding the title of transfer to the District of Coldstream for that property legally described as Lot 1, Section, 25, TWP 9, ODYD, Plan KAP 52756 be postponed pending clarification from staff regarding the transfer of the property. - 24. Fire Training Centre Service Review
- Preliminary meeting minutes - May 17, 2011 - Regular meeting minutes - July 13, 2011 - Staff report dated July 14, 2011 - E-mail dated July 21, 2011 FOR DISCUSSION P.155
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Okanagan Lake evaporation factor
The are many pressures put on Okanagan Lake on a daily basis. With so much demand on water supply, it's imperative to understand what is happening to the Okanagan's water resources. As a part of this effort, the Okanagan Basin Water Board (OBWB) has partnered with Environment Canada for an important study to better understand what is happening to the water in Okanagan Lake. Beginning this week, the OBWB and Environment Canada launched three large yellow buoys on Okanagan Lake, each three metres tall by 1.8 metres wide, to monitor lake evaporation for at least the next three years. The final buoy was launched Wednesday morning. This study comes as the result of work done on the comprehensive Okanagan Water Supply and Demand Study – a three-year, $3 million project that looked at the valley’s water supply, but found one piece of the puzzle missing: how much water is lost off Okanagan Lake through evaporation? Initial estimates put lake evaporation at one metre per year. But the Okanagan is known to be a region with water supply challenges, and estimates aren’t good enough when effective water resource management is at stake. By determining how much water is lost to evaporation, the Okanagan will be in a better position to plan for these challenges, including drought.
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Another Don Quixote Parody:With Apologies to Stompin' Tom Connors ‘The Consumer’
Oh yes we are the Muni Taxpayer running in the race
Paying for the bureaucratic reports in the ol' city-hall marketplace
Another report needed for something, we'll buy it while it's hot
The Politicians tell us we’ll Save a lot of money spending money we don't got,
We Save a lot of money spending money we don't got
The Muni Taxpayer they call us
We always get a fair shake
Roads that will have to diet and no rights to regulate our lake
We can't buy nothing lasting no matter who we choose
And any way you look at it you always seem to lose.
The Muni Taxpayer they call us
We're fussy about what we want them to make
We look at the price of hamburger but they bill us for T-bone Steak.
And all those fancy reports that gather dust upon the shelf
They're always full of Political dreams when they're full of nothing else
Oh yes we are the Muni Taxpayer running in the race
Paying for the bureaucratic reports in the ol' city-hall marketplace
Another report needed for something, we'll buy it while it's hot
The Politicians tell us we’ll Save a lot of money spending money we don't got
We Save a lot of money spending money we don't got
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Water Board awards $300,000 for Okanagan water projects
The Okanagan Basin Water Board is pleased to announce funding for its 2011 Water Conservation and Quality Improvement Grant Program. Some $300,000 has been awarded to 19 projects in the Okanagan that will conserve and improve water in our region, recognizing that we are all part of “One valley. One Water.”
RDNO Grants:Water Conservation and Quality Improvement Grants – 2011 Successful Recipients
Organization Project Title Funding Received
Okanagan Science Centre Water, Water (Every) Where? $22,000
Greater Vernon Water Stormwater Outfall Improvements $20,000
UBC-O Groundwater discharge $10,000
Otter Lake Water District Ultrasonic Flow Meter $4,500
Bishop Wild Bird Foundation Native Plant Garden $2,000
$58,500 Total
Friday, January 21, 2011
Water grants deadline looming
Contributed - Castanet -Jan 21, 2011 / 5:00 am
Interested applicants have one month to submit their application to the Okanagan Basin Water Board's 2011 Water Conservation and Quality Improvement(WCQI) Grant Program. Eligible recipients include non-profit community groups, local governments (regional districts or municipalities), and irrigation or improvement districts. Successful applicants can receive up to $30,000 for their project, with a total of $300,000 available. OBWB Executive Director, Anna Warwick Sears, says the purpose of the grant program is to enhance water quality and conserve water quantity throughout the Okanagan Valley. For example, City of Penticton's environmental audit pilot project this past year helped business owners reduce water and energy consumption – a project that could be implemented in other communities.
Another project was Okanagan Xeriscape Association's demonstration garden, providing Okanagan homeowners with examples of gardens that require less water and are more appropriate for the region's dry climate. An example of water quality improvement that benefits the valley is a project by Greater Vernon Water and Regional District of North Okanagan which identified sources of bacterial contamination on Kalamalka Lake that will reduce future contamination. “Like past years, we're looking for applications that think outside the box and clearly demonstrate benefits for the entire valley,” says Warwick Sears. The deadline for applications is 4 p.m. on Friday, February 21, 2011. All grant applicants must submit a council or board resolution from local government, endorsing their application.
Interested applicants have one month to submit their application to the Okanagan Basin Water Board's 2011 Water Conservation and Quality Improvement(WCQI) Grant Program. Eligible recipients include non-profit community groups, local governments (regional districts or municipalities), and irrigation or improvement districts. Successful applicants can receive up to $30,000 for their project, with a total of $300,000 available. OBWB Executive Director, Anna Warwick Sears, says the purpose of the grant program is to enhance water quality and conserve water quantity throughout the Okanagan Valley. For example, City of Penticton's environmental audit pilot project this past year helped business owners reduce water and energy consumption – a project that could be implemented in other communities.
Another project was Okanagan Xeriscape Association's demonstration garden, providing Okanagan homeowners with examples of gardens that require less water and are more appropriate for the region's dry climate. An example of water quality improvement that benefits the valley is a project by Greater Vernon Water and Regional District of North Okanagan which identified sources of bacterial contamination on Kalamalka Lake that will reduce future contamination. “Like past years, we're looking for applications that think outside the box and clearly demonstrate benefits for the entire valley,” says Warwick Sears. The deadline for applications is 4 p.m. on Friday, February 21, 2011. All grant applicants must submit a council or board resolution from local government, endorsing their application.
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Board debate over Okanagan college funding request
Steve Arstad - Keremeos Review Published: December 21, 2010 7:00 PM
A request for funding from Okanagan College continues to split the regional district board as directors attempt to justify the expenditure. Just over half of the board were responsible for defeating an amendment to the 2011 - 2015 budget bylaw at last Thursday’s regional district board meeting. In November, Okanagan College made a request to the board for $600,000 over a multi -year period as a capital contribution to new facilities being constructed on the campus. The matter was discussed at the board’s first reading of the 2011-2015 budget meeting, where the original request was paired down to a $300,000 grant, to be provided over a three year period. The matter was brought before Keremeos Village Council at the December 5 meeting by Mayor Walter Despot, who was seeking council’s opinion on the matter. Council agreed with the regional district in supplying the funds, but the vote was close, 3-2 in favour. The biggest argument against the request seems to be over the fact that many opponents feel that education funding is a provincial responsibility, and something that municipal taxpayers should not have to fund. Regional district directors continued to be split on the issue last Thursday, with several feeling the issue should be removed from this year’s budget and referred to referendum during the 2011 municipal elections so that voters could have a say. Electoral Area “F” Director Michael Brydon introduced the amendment, which stated “That the board amend Bylaw #2543 five year financial plan by removing the $300,000 grant to Okanagan College over a three year period from the general government budget and put the Okangan College funding question forward to the 2011 local government elections.”
“Okanagan College will continue to operate whether they receive this from us or not,” Brydon told the board. “I don’t believe $300,000 will be a great benefit.” Osoyoos Director Stu Wells told the board that he supported a vote on the issue. “This discussion will spiral further down - people have dug holes on the issue - it’s rather foolish - I haven’t seen any relaxing on other issues.” Naramata Director Tom Chapman said that he “struggled with the estimated $2.13 average residential contribution that supports higher education being a big issue. (The board discussed a figure of $2.13, but the average residential cost is actually estimated at $1.97.) “I support it as it stands right now. We don’t need a referendum.”
“A referendum will cost money,” commented Keremeos Director Walter Despot, while his Similkameen counterpart, Area “B” Director George Hanson said, “ The electorate is going to ask ‘why are you doing this?’ We should put it to the public.” “What are we talking about here?” asked Princeton Director Randy McLean. “Two dollars and thirteen cents per household over three years. What are we doing?” The amendment was narrowly defeated, the discussion ending with board Chair Dan Ashton cautioning the board that they probably hadn’t heard the end of discussion on the matter.
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Don Quixote Note: Read posts here and NORD Votes Unanimous Support for New UBCO Water Chair.
The RDOS did approve this 5 year request to fund a Water Chair at UBCO. Their share was about $21,718 per year for 5 years.
Our local NORD Regional Board also committed $19499 per year over 5 years of which the Vernon Taxpayer will pay $63,349 in total over the 5 years.
Looks like the RDOS will approve funding educational positions but is a little bit wary of funding buildings on educational campuses.
A request for funding from Okanagan College continues to split the regional district board as directors attempt to justify the expenditure. Just over half of the board were responsible for defeating an amendment to the 2011 - 2015 budget bylaw at last Thursday’s regional district board meeting. In November, Okanagan College made a request to the board for $600,000 over a multi -year period as a capital contribution to new facilities being constructed on the campus. The matter was discussed at the board’s first reading of the 2011-2015 budget meeting, where the original request was paired down to a $300,000 grant, to be provided over a three year period. The matter was brought before Keremeos Village Council at the December 5 meeting by Mayor Walter Despot, who was seeking council’s opinion on the matter. Council agreed with the regional district in supplying the funds, but the vote was close, 3-2 in favour. The biggest argument against the request seems to be over the fact that many opponents feel that education funding is a provincial responsibility, and something that municipal taxpayers should not have to fund. Regional district directors continued to be split on the issue last Thursday, with several feeling the issue should be removed from this year’s budget and referred to referendum during the 2011 municipal elections so that voters could have a say. Electoral Area “F” Director Michael Brydon introduced the amendment, which stated “That the board amend Bylaw #2543 five year financial plan by removing the $300,000 grant to Okanagan College over a three year period from the general government budget and put the Okangan College funding question forward to the 2011 local government elections.”
“Okanagan College will continue to operate whether they receive this from us or not,” Brydon told the board. “I don’t believe $300,000 will be a great benefit.” Osoyoos Director Stu Wells told the board that he supported a vote on the issue. “This discussion will spiral further down - people have dug holes on the issue - it’s rather foolish - I haven’t seen any relaxing on other issues.” Naramata Director Tom Chapman said that he “struggled with the estimated $2.13 average residential contribution that supports higher education being a big issue. (The board discussed a figure of $2.13, but the average residential cost is actually estimated at $1.97.) “I support it as it stands right now. We don’t need a referendum.”
“A referendum will cost money,” commented Keremeos Director Walter Despot, while his Similkameen counterpart, Area “B” Director George Hanson said, “ The electorate is going to ask ‘why are you doing this?’ We should put it to the public.” “What are we talking about here?” asked Princeton Director Randy McLean. “Two dollars and thirteen cents per household over three years. What are we doing?” The amendment was narrowly defeated, the discussion ending with board Chair Dan Ashton cautioning the board that they probably hadn’t heard the end of discussion on the matter.
----------------
Don Quixote Note: Read posts here and NORD Votes Unanimous Support for New UBCO Water Chair.
The RDOS did approve this 5 year request to fund a Water Chair at UBCO. Their share was about $21,718 per year for 5 years.Our local NORD Regional Board also committed $19499 per year over 5 years of which the Vernon Taxpayer will pay $63,349 in total over the 5 years.
Looks like the RDOS will approve funding educational positions but is a little bit wary of funding buildings on educational campuses.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Water board budget not soaking area taxpayers
Vernon Morning Star November 09, 2010 7:00 PM
An increase of 4.6 per cent in the $3.73 million Okanagan Basin Water Board budget won’t mean taxpayers will have to pay more because assessments have increased in the past year in the valley.
The biggest increase for the coming year is in accounting and auditing services, which are provided by the Central Okanagan Regional District on a cost-recovery basis. Previously, the North Okanagan Regional District provided those services. Executive director Anna Warwick Sears said she is satisfied the increase is reasonable, because there’s been an update of services and items are being tracked more carefully in the new system. It jumped from $30,000 to $75,000 for the year.
In the provisional budget, the overall requisition this year from taxpayers is six cents per $1,000 of assessed property values, unchanged from the previous two years. Of that, 3.5 cents per $1,000 assessment goes to the board’s sewage facilities grant program, while nine cents goes to the water milfoil program. A further 1.6 cents goes to water management, including drought management, ground water, water pricing, water education, the water supply and demand project and funding to host a water science conference in Osoyoos next year. Matching grants from senior government are expected to add to the funding available for many projects. An addition to the budget this year goes to fund a new UBC Okanagan Water Research Chair, a commitment which was already approved for five years by each of the three regional districts which make up the OBWB. It’s $100,000 a year, beginning next budget year and is equivalent to 0.2 cents for $1,000 of assessed value. Board members also discussed increasing an item in the budget for looking into management of groundwater in the valley, but in the end, it was decided if more funding is needed, it could be drawn from other areas of the budget, or from grants.Ted van der Gulick from the agriculture ministry noted it’s likely the province would look for leadership from the local community in moving groundwater regulations along. A vote on the budget will be taken at the next board meeting in December.
An increase of 4.6 per cent in the $3.73 million Okanagan Basin Water Board budget won’t mean taxpayers will have to pay more because assessments have increased in the past year in the valley.
The biggest increase for the coming year is in accounting and auditing services, which are provided by the Central Okanagan Regional District on a cost-recovery basis. Previously, the North Okanagan Regional District provided those services. Executive director Anna Warwick Sears said she is satisfied the increase is reasonable, because there’s been an update of services and items are being tracked more carefully in the new system. It jumped from $30,000 to $75,000 for the year.
In the provisional budget, the overall requisition this year from taxpayers is six cents per $1,000 of assessed property values, unchanged from the previous two years. Of that, 3.5 cents per $1,000 assessment goes to the board’s sewage facilities grant program, while nine cents goes to the water milfoil program. A further 1.6 cents goes to water management, including drought management, ground water, water pricing, water education, the water supply and demand project and funding to host a water science conference in Osoyoos next year. Matching grants from senior government are expected to add to the funding available for many projects. An addition to the budget this year goes to fund a new UBC Okanagan Water Research Chair, a commitment which was already approved for five years by each of the three regional districts which make up the OBWB. It’s $100,000 a year, beginning next budget year and is equivalent to 0.2 cents for $1,000 of assessed value. Board members also discussed increasing an item in the budget for looking into management of groundwater in the valley, but in the end, it was decided if more funding is needed, it could be drawn from other areas of the budget, or from grants.Ted van der Gulick from the agriculture ministry noted it’s likely the province would look for leadership from the local community in moving groundwater regulations along. A vote on the budget will be taken at the next board meeting in December.
Monday, October 18, 2010
Water Woes
Prices to Quality Concerns Betty Selin 10/18/2010 105.7 SUNFM
The Okanagan Basin Water Board want to have a level playing field when it comes to water pricing, so they've completed a survey of pricing across the Okanagan. Water Stewardship Director Nelson Jatel says prices vary in different areas from 15-cents to a dollar twenty per cubic metre. Vernon Mayor Wayne Lippert says the rates locally support agriculture. Lippert says residential customers in Vernon pay about 90 cents, with agricultural water users pay in the 4 to 8 cent range. Jatel says the OBWB is now looking to develop a pricing policy guide for local governments. Vernon's next step is to spend 20-million dollars on a water filtration system. One of the issues that came up during the UBCM was water. Lippert says he met with Minister Ida Chong, who is frustrated with IH for demanding their own standards of water. They're using federal guidelines, rather than provincial for water quality. And he says there are also issues with food regulations and the health authority getting tough. Lippert says a bake sale in Cash Creek was actually shut down by Interior Health because it didn't meet their standards.
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Okanagan Basin Water Board proposes 1.6 million dollar study
The Okanagan Basin Water Board have submitted a proposal to fund a study they believe will help determine the exact cost of water and irrigated lands in the Okanagan.
The Okanagan Basin Water Board have submitted a proposal to fund a study they believe will help determine the exact cost of water and irrigated lands in the Okanagan. The study will also investigate the possibility of an agricultural water reserve in the Okanagan. The OBWB will invest 50-thousand dollars, and have submitted a proposal to the Agri-Food Canada's Innovative Approaches Program, asking for 1.6 million dollars for the study.
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