Keeping in Touch
An important part of my job as your representative on the Regional District of Nanaimo Board of Directors is to ensure that the decisions made by the Board meet the goals set out for the region in its Strategic Directions 2003- 2005. This plan, adopted by the Board maps out the planned improvements the Board wishes to make in areas of growth management, watershed protection and drinking water protection, environmental protection, public works, governance and infrastructure. Over the past three years we have made significant progress in achieving this vision.
In the past year the RDN has hosted a public Sustainability Workshop and a Drinking Water Protection Workshop, both of which were well attended by Area H residents. Recently the RDN has also produced a Sustainability Report, a Drinking Water Protection Action Plan, and a Green Building Project, all of which outline various initiatives in support of building a more sustainable region. These documents are available from the RDN or on the RDN website. In other areas of environmental protection and building a more sustainable region, we have a new Waste Stream Licensing bylaw and we have expanded the gas collection system at the Regional Landfill to make it possible to capture, reuse or sell the gas produced from garbage. This latter initiative was with the help of funding from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities Green Project. In addition, the RDN has made capital improvements to the wastewater treatment plants, where our Area H septic tank septage is processed;successfully reducing odor and improving processing. The RDN has just completed a comprehensive review of the Regional Parks and Trails Plan after extensive public consultation. Important future areas for regional acquisition in Electoral Area H are the Gainsburg Swamp, an area of approximately 20 acres located between the Inland Island Hwy and Old Island Hwy near Deep Bay, and an addition to Horne Lake Regional Park owned by DFO. In addition, enhancements to the Big Qualicum River Trail, and Lighthouse Country Trail are being planned and the future development of the historic Horne Lake Trail to join the Big Qualicum River Trail with Horne Lake and Port Alberni, and connecting trails between Big Qualicum River Trail, Spider and Cameron Lakes, Qualicum Bay, Bowser and Deep Bay to Rosewall Creek. This plan will be a guide for Board funding decisions on Regional Parks and Trails over the next 10 years. In the near term we are revamping our Public Consultation Policy with a view to improving communication with residents, conducting a greenhouse gas inventory (part of our Partners for Climate Change commitment), producing a Best Practices Guide to assist residents and developers with the requirements of our development application process and working with the three Area H Water Districts to develop a regional watershed protection plan.
Our Parks and Open Space Advisory Committee had its first meeting in March and are working to determine our Community Parks and Open Space requirements. The purpose of this new committee, composed of Area H residents, is to discuss and examine parks and open space issues at the grassroots level and advise the RDN Board of Directors on parks and open space issues in Area H. I have great expectations for this group. These community volunteers are dedicated to the building of local community parks and trails in Area H. One of their main tasks is to develop a comprehensive and cohesive Community Parks and Open Space Plan for Area H. I believe having such a plan is very important in preserving our rural quality of life as our area continues to grow and develop.
Dave Bartram,
Director Electoral Area H
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Introducing WaterSmart If you're looking for a new site to visit on the web, check out the WaterSmart site in the Environmental Services section of the RDN website. This new area has been developed with our water service customers in mind. The site contains lots of information on each service area, tips on conserving water, frequently asked questions on water quality and quantity, the RDN's commitment to drinking water protection, a Kids' Zone and much more. The RDN developed this site to improve information flow to our customers with an emphasis on water conservation. Environment Canada suggests we are heading for yet another year of dry warm weather, so you may want to visit the site and get some ideas on how to reduce your water consumption this summer.
Environmental Management System This summer, the RDN will register its newly created Environmental Management System, making our Liquid Waste treatment plants the first ISO 14000 certified plants in British Columbia. The ISO 14001 framework is the leading standard worldwide, and encourages continual improvement by following the "Plan, Do, Check, Act" operating model. This new system will allowing Liquid Waste Department staff to better analyze, control and reduce the environmental impact of Liquid Waste activities and services. |
Oceanside Place Acoustical Baffling
The sound quality is stellar at Oceanside Place thanks to the acoustical baffles now installed in the Howie Meeker Arena. The baffles, which were added last fall, are suspended from the arena's ceiling and have reduced the rink's previous eight-second sound reverberation time to approximately 2. 5 seconds. According to Tom Osborne, Manager of Recreation and Parks, "The baffling improves the sound with respect to the arena's PA system, as well as everyday use."
Now that the sound in the Howie Meeker Arena is clear, the next step is to add acoustical baffles to the adjacent Victor Kraatz Arena. The Regional District of Nanaimo Board of Directors has approved this project, and work should be completed in late spring. The baffles for the Victor Kraatz Arena will be paid for through funds from 2004 user revenues, while the baffles in the Howie Meeker Arena were paid for through 2003 operating surplus Oceanside Place has just won the British Columbia Recreation and Parks Association (BCRPA)Facility Excellence award. The award will be presented on May 13th at the BCRPA Annual Conference in Prince George.
This is the second award for Oceanside Place - the arena also received the Recreation Facility Association of British Columbia's Outstanding Facility Award in 2004.
Oceanside Place is located at 830 West Island Highway in Parksville, and opened in October, 2003. The facility is owned and operated by the Regional District of Nanaimo. West Nile Virus.
West Nile Virus
Warmer weather is on the way,and so is the start of mosquito breeding season.In a small percentage of cases, mosquitoes can transmit infections that lead to serious illnesses, including West Nile Virus. While the virus has not yet arrived in B.C., the Vancouver Island Health Authority suggests that it's still important to protect yourself and your family from risk of infection.
West Nile Virus is a disease that affects birds of the Corvid family, including crows, ravens and blue jays. When mosquitoes bite infected birds, they then carry virus-infected blood to other hosts, such as horses, dogs, cats and humans. Most cases of infection cause mild, flu-like symptoms, but a small percentage of cases progress to severe encephalitis, or inflammation of the brain.
In humans, only about one percent of those infected with the virus show flu-like symptoms and of these only one percent of cases progress to encephalitis. Still, it is a good idea to protect yourself and your family from the possibility of infection. Cover up with protective clothing whenever possible,and use insect repellent on exposed skin. Consider staying indoors during peak mosquito times — dawn, dusk and early evening. Also reducing or removing standing water from around your home is a good way to control mosquitoes, since many mosquitoes need standing water in order to lay their eggs. Dispose of or turn over outdoor containers,turn over wheelbarrows and wading pools when not in use, change bird bath water every three days, clean and chlorinate outdoor pools and hot tubs, and remove any water that collects on pool covers. For more information, please contact the Regional District of Nanaimo Protective Services Coordinator at 390-4111 or toll-free 1-877-607-4111.
Emergency Preparedness - Grab 'n' Go Bags
If an emergency happens in the Regional District of Nanaimo, residents need to be able to look after themselves and their families for a 72-hour period. This means being prepared for disaster at home and at the workplace by aving a Grab 'n'Go bag packed and ready.
Grab 'n' Go bags should be prepared for every member of your household, and should be portable but well-stocked. It a good idea to have one at home, one at work and one in your vehicle. Be sure to include water bottles, walking shoes, a battery-operated flashlight, a first aid kit, personal items such as eyeglasses and toiletries, photocopies of identification and insurance papers, and any medications you are taking. Other suggested items are changes of clothing, a battery-operated radio, snacks, tea and/or coffee, family photos, a book, waterproof matches, a disposable dust mask and water purification tablets.
Electoral Area Director | Dave Bartram
250 757-9737 | Fax 250-757-9705 | dwbartram@shaw.ca
Regional District of Nanaimo Website | www.rdn.bc.ca
1 877 607 4111 (Toll-free access to all departments)
