Keeping in touch

Part of my job as your representative on the Regional District of Nanaimo Board of Directors is to ensure that the Board meets the goals it has set out for the region in its Strategic Plan.This plan maps out the improvements we as a Board wish to make in areas such as growth management,watershed and drinking water protection,environmental protection,public works,infrastructure and governance process and communication.In the past year,we have achieved a number of these goals.

In the past year the RDN has hosted a Sustainability Workshop and a Drinking Water Protection Workshop, both of which were well-attended by the public.Recently the RDN also produced a Sustainability Report outlining our various initiatives in this area.In terms of environmental protection,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 resell gas (with support from Federation of Canadian Municipalities Green Project funding).Thanks to capital improvements at our wastewater treatment plants,we have been successful in reducing odour and improving processing at these facilities. The RDN has just completed its Regional Parks and Trails Plan Review, and continues to develop new parks and regional trail networks.

Our Parks and Open Space Advisory Committee continues to be very active and worked with the new Gabriola Land and Trails Trust to present a very successful Earth Day programme. We had a grand opening of the Cox Community Park attended by many members of the Cox family.Hazel Cox Windecker spoke about growing up on Gabriola and brought some old family photos which were most interesting,Posac awarded certificates of appreciation for exceptional community service in community parks to Nancy and John Peirce,Duke Fleming,Don Omelid and John Orr.

Gail Lund, Director,
Electoral Area B

Groundwater Monitoring

Piteau Associates,a geotechnical and hydrogeological consulting firm,has finished its analysis of samples from the Regional District of Nanaimo ’s Gabriola Island well monitoring project.The findings show that while there are isolated problems in some areas of the island,there does not appear to be overall contamination in the wells.

The Piteau Associates findings show that of the 25 samples taken,only 11, or 44 percent,meet Canadian Drinking Water Quality guidelines for all parameters.However,if the aesthetic parameters,or appearance of the samples,were ignored,then 17 water samples or 68 percent of the total met the guidelines.Four Gabriola wells had fecal coliform counts.

Piteau Associates is recommending that residents whose wells show fecal coliform counts should seek advice on how to reduce potential sources of contamination,disinfect wells and water distribution systems,and upgrade wellhead installations to minimize the chances of surface coliform getting into the wells.RDN staff is producing a separate report that expands on these recommendations.

The complete Piteau Associates report will soon be available on the RDN website at www.rdn.bc.ca.

Descanso Bay Emergency Wharf

The Descanso Bay Emergency Wharf continues to be a well-used service on Gabriola Island.The Regional District of Nanaimo maintains the wharf under a two-year license of occupation,which expires in November,2005.The RDN is now communicating with Land and Water BC with the intention of renewing the lease.

Land and Water BC has confirmed that the RDN will be able to renew the lease for a longer period of time.

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 having 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's 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.

A great "be prepared" tip is to stow a pair of walking shoes under your bed, with a flashlight in one shoe. It is also a good idea to have a family home evacuation plan, and a reunion or meeting place in case of emergency.

Information about the RDN Emergency Plan is available online at www.rdn.bc.ca.

Electoral Area Director |Gail Lund
250-247-8847 /Fax 250-247-8825 |gaillund@shaw.ca

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