- DEER CULL ON CRD RADAR F0R 2012 (sewage treatment focus too)
- FRANK STANFORD COMMENT (sewage plant mention)
- OPTIMISM AND RESOLUTIONS FOR THE WEST SHORE (sewage plant mention)
- SAANICH: NEW COUNCIL MUST MAKE LEADERSHIP A GREATER PRIORITY (sewage plant mention)
- SAANICH: STORM WATER TREATMENT STIRS TALK OF LIABILITY
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ARESST: Excerpt from news below:
Secondary sewage treatment remains in limbo, although Young hopes that will change early in the new year. The provincial government mandated treatment of the region's sewage, which is currently shot out into the ocean via pipes. The CRD has worked on developing a plan for years, submitting its final plan last year to the province. It was approved, but the funding hasn't come through.
The project is estimated to cost $782 million, to be shared equally among the CRD, the province and the federal government. But the province is saying the feds must commit first. Federal officials say that was never the expectation or an established practice.
"Putting it bluntly," Young said, "the provincial government is in a budget crunch and they're finding it difficult. We're not in a position where we can start doing any design work or anything else without that funding."
DEER CULL ON CRD RADAR F0R 2012 (sewage treatment focus too)
Sewage issue, strategy plan also on board's agenda
Kim Westad
Times Colonist
December 27, 2011
Revamping complex documents, finding consensus among 13 disparate municipalities, trying to get both the federal and provincial government to commit funding for sewage treatment - that's the easy stuff for the Capital Regional District board in 2012.
Well, easy when compared to the other major issue staring at the board - how to deal with the number of deer in the region.
Board chairman Geoff Young never says the word "cull" in a year-end interview, but it's clear the board will have to decide whether to have a limited one.
"We will have to make some decision, even if it is to do nothing," Young said. "I suspect we will be forced to make a decision to take some action. I'm pretty sure we're going to be moving forward - and I'm pretty sure it will be controversial and that we won't have agreement."
When asked directly if the CRD will consider a cull, Young said: "It appears that is the direction we are being led toward."
Several other municipalities in the province have instituted limited culls, including Cranbrook and Kimberley. Cranbrook has permits to trap and euthanize 25 deer this winter. The deer are trapped in a large net structure, and then killed the same way livestock are. The meat is donated as food.
It's estimated there are about 50,000 deer on Vancouver Island, with more lazily roaming urban areas than in the past.
ICBC data show deerrelated motor-vehicle collisions in CRD municipalities have increased by an average of 13 per cent a year since 2000, growing to more than 100 collisions in 2010 from 35 reported in 2000. Provincewide, animalrelated insurance claims rose to $30.8 million in 2007 from $15.8 million in 1997. Biologists say urban deer are thriving and reproducing.
The issue of a limited cull has been brought up at CRD meetings by former Central Saanich mayor Jack Mar, who has seen farmers' crops decimated in an afternoon by deer.
It's a hot-button issue for board members and the public. After one news story about the deer problem, the CRD received more than 400 unsolicited emails and letters. Public consultation will be a part of the decisionmaking process, Young said.
After that, drawing up a new regional sustainability strategy - basically the overall development plan for the entire region - might seem easy.
The strategy will be the new version of the current regional growth strategy, adopted in 2003. The strategy is defined as an agreement on social, economic and environmental goals for the region. It defines where development and growth should happen.
The CRD is revamping the document this year and renaming it the Regional Sustainability Strategy. It will reflect the goals of each municipality, and all must agree on it for it to be adopted. "I suspect we will indeed see some good debate," Young said.
Conflicts between the regional plan and individual municipal community plans happened several times in 2011. Part of that conflict is the result of imprecise language in the current document, Young said.
"The language of the document doesn't specify the precise nature of every kind of development that could take place. It tends to be more general. As we go forward, people will be more aware of the potential for future conflict, and there will be an effort made to be more precise and to lay down in more exact terms where developments will and will not take place," Young predicted.
Secondary sewage treatment remains in limbo, although Young hopes that will change early in the new year. The provincial government mandated treatment of the region's sewage, which is currently shot out into the ocean via pipes. The CRD has worked on developing a plan for years, submitting its final plan last year to the province. It was approved, but the funding hasn't come through.
The project is estimated to cost $782 million, to be shared equally among the CRD, the province and the federal government. But the province is saying the feds must commit first. Federal officials say that was never the expectation or an established practice.
"Putting it bluntly," Young said, "the provincial government is in a budget crunch and they're finding it difficult. We're not in a position where we can start doing any design work or anything else without that funding."
kwestad@timescolonist.com
http://www2.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/news/story.html?id=d0a22fd0-f4fe-4069-baaf-8f3dff90c066
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FRANK STANFORD COMMENT (sewage plant mention)
Frank Stanford's comment
Dec 23, 2011
CFAX 1070
So another year has come and gone with little if any movement on three files that have the potential for monumental impact on our little corner of the world.
Are we ever going to have rapid transit? Are we ever going to have sewage treatment? Are we ever going to have a treaty with south island First Nations?
It's hard to guess which one is most or least likely to progress in 2012.
Sewage treatment is the one that is supposed to be closest to reality...but right now it seems just as likely 2012 will bring a decision to shelve it.
Transit? I don't see anybody writing that billion dollar cheque any time soon either.
That leaves the Te'Mexw Treaty negotiations...by far the quietest of the three these past several years, and potentially the most important in the long term.
A year ago...actually a little longer than that...the government somewhat optimistically forecast that an agreement in principle could be reached by spring 2011. Obviously it didn't happen.
Soon it'll be a year beyond that target, with no sign of significant movement towards resolution. The official line is that progress is being made...but it's totally vague. No indication whether it's meaningful progress or spinning of wheels. My hunch is it's the latter.
With Victoria's 150th anniversary in 2012 it would be nice to mark the occasion by breaking one of the historic logjams.
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ARESST: Excerpt from commentary below:
That saner heads prevail on the imposition of sewage and light rapid transit mega-works costs on our local taxpayers — perhaps the day of the infrastructure grand project is over.
OPTIMISM AND RESOLUTIONS FOR THE WEST SHORE (sewage plant mention)
Dan Spinner
Goldstream News Gazette
December 20, 2011
The new year is here and it is full of promise for the West Shore. Our vibrant diversified community has so much going for it we should be both thankful and hopeful.
In a world where the European economy and a very slow U.S. recession recovery is worrying to all, Langford, thanks to its strong leadership and for being business friendly, reports a remarkable 3.1 per cent unemployment rate and it’s likely our other local municipalities are similar.
The new small business jobs that the Premier’s jobs plan wants to promote are already happening in the West Shore and we are working with Jobs Minister Pat Bell to find ways to leverage this remarkable success. Stay tuned on that front.
The West Shore Chamber of Commerce recently held its annual Christmas mixer at Hatley Castle in Royal Roads University with more than 200 in attendance. The mood from our many small business owners was positive, even ebullient.
While it's true that our restaurants and bars have suffered the impacts of HST and drinking laws, and our builders and developers are slowed awaiting HST changes, overall the economy on the West Shore seems stronger than ever.
Sitting here in my office I can see three new restaurants about to open in the next few weeks, making their own significant investments of time and money.
The chamber in partnership with the Entrepreneurs Organization, is launching a catalyst program on the West Shore to assist small businesses to grow and strengthen. Response to this mentoring opportunity has already been strong.
In other words, this is a hopeful and positive community that is learning to build on its strengths and together overcome its challenges: the recent $100 million provincial funding for our urgently needed new high schools being a terrific case in point.
Our focus points for 2012 might include the following New Year's resolutions:
• That the West Shore mayors continue to collaborate and show more and more solidarity than ever before on common and Capital Regional District issues, such as transportation and rail.
• That the Federal government finally decides to fund the $7.5 million required upgrading the E&N rail line by matching the already committed provincial funds.
• That the new high schools and associated neighborhood learning centres can be well but quickly planned and implemented.
• That the YMCA advances its plans to open new day care facilities and a pool on the West Shore.
• That the remarkable success of the Langford Lanes bowling centre and new ice rink at City Centre Park continues (and please, stop calling me to try to get in!).
• That saner heads prevail on the imposition of sewage and light rapid transit mega-works costs on our local taxpayers — perhaps the day of the infrastructure grand project is over.
• That the new small business jobs growth in the West Shore continues at its rapid pace despite European meltdowns and sluggish U.S. growth.
• That several new projects now underway to protect agricultural land use in our rural communities prevail and make a significant difference (more on this in an upcoming column).
• That the West Shore continues to be the real economic growth engine of Greater Victoria and finally gets recognized as such.
To all our friends and colleagues on the West Shore — have a happy, healthy, safe and prosperous new year!
—Dan Spinner is the CEO for the WestShore Chamber of Commerce.
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ARESST: Excerpt from commentary below:
Saanich and the CRD have been mandated to treat our raw sewage, currently being pumped into the Georgia Strait, but the existing plan is unacceptable. An Esquimalt-based treatment, with solids trucked down the country lanes of Saanich to the landfill, is appalling. This is a legacy project with lasting implications for our region and taxpayers, but if this project is to proceed the funding verbally promised by senior levels of government must be secured. Council may not be able to stop this decision from taking place, but they should be doing everything possible to ensure Saanich residents are not unfairly burdened with the proposed costs.
NEW COUNCIL MUST MAKE LEADERSHIP A GREATER PRIORITY (sewage plant mention)
Jesse McClinton
Saanich News
21 December 2011, page A9
In order to best serve the Saanich community, the new council needs to actively lead by focusing on the real issues that will impact the region in the short and long term. An attitude of leadership through priorities is required to ensure our unique Saanich neighbourhoods thrive under this primarily re-elected council.
The council needs to take on an expanded leadership role regarding the integration of services, looking at regional cost-saving options, not amalgamation.
Small business owners in Saanich are feeling the crushing weight of an economy in flux. The current council needs to manage the expectations of our community; every disbursement analyzed to ensure it’s right for the circumstances.
Adopting a needs versus wants mindset will ensure every dollar allocated by the council benefits our community directly. Optional and luxury projects should be shelved until the taxpayers can afford the extra burden of these expenditures, and increased effort is required to compel the provincial and federal governments to deliver over and above the paltry eight cents per tax dollar back to the municipality.
Saanich council must do a better job of securing funds for infrastructure, affordable housing, and providing viable options to help our homeless community.
Saanich and the CRD have been mandated to treat our raw sewage, currently being pumped into the Georgia Strait, but the existing plan is unacceptable. An Esquimalt-based treatment, with solids trucked down the country lanes of Saanich to the landfill, is appalling. This is a legacy project with lasting implications for our region and taxpayers, but if this project is to proceed the funding verbally promised by senior levels of government must be secured. Council may not be able to stop this decision from taking place, but they should be doing everything possible to ensure Saanich residents are not unfairly burdened with the proposed costs.
Another mega-project that needs the full attention of the Saanich council is the proposed light-rail transit initiative. It is irresponsible that so much
time and energy is being invested into LRT when our current transit system is falling short. Full buses regularly pass UVic and Camosun students, and the proposed LRT option treats students and drivers like second-class citizens, forcing them to endure unreasonable waits as they attempt to cross at McKenzie and the Trans-Canada Highway. The paperwork alone required for the current plan is estimated to be over $8 million, and this is purely unacceptable for the Saanich taxpayers.
The LRT will not address the east-west connections, but additional bus service and an overpass at McKenzie/Trans-Canada Highway would better serve the entire Victoria community at a substantially lower cost. Saanich council needs to actively lead this discussion to ensure the social benefit of a shiny new LRT system isn’t the deciding factor.
Keeping up with Calgary, Vancouver, or Portland, Ore. is not a good enough reason to spend a billion dollars that we do not have. Too little return on too much of an investment is deplorable, and the current council will need to provide an acceptable alternative to ensure local businesses aren’t taxed to death.
Saanich council would be well served to actively seek public engagement and support for all initiatives over the next three years. A municipal election with a turnout of only 25 per cent of eligible voters is not conducive to proper representation of the people council is here to serve.
An engaged community is the key to making informed decisions, and should be a priority for the current council members. Leaders need to make the tough decisions and do what’s right for their followers, and while this isn’t always a fun position to be in, it is a necessity to help the Saanich community thrive and prosper. We need to see more focus on the topics that all of Saanich needs and less focus on the wants – the “nice to have” projects – that don’t provide long term benefit to our community.
- Jesse McClinton is a Saanich resident who ran unsuccessfully for Saanich council in the November municipal election.
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SAANICH: STORM WATER TREATMENT STIRS TALK OF LIABILITY
Saanich News
December 23, 2011
The way Saanich treats its storm water could ultimately result in some hefty penalties for the municipality, according to the University of Victoria’s environmental law clinic.
Legal director Calvin Sandborn says Saanich needs to adopt low-impact development techniques, such as installing permeable sidewalks, rain gardens, and increasing soil depth along sidewalks, so oil from cars doesn’t end up in fish-bearing creeks.
“The thing that kills fish streams is the way that we’ve handled storm water,” he said. “Instead of the water from rain going into the soil and down into groundwater, the rain sweeps all the pollutants on the landscapes into the pipes, and then pipes that water directly into the nearest fish stream.”
The environmental law clinic was approached by the Friends of Mount Douglas Park Society to look at how Saanich could potentially be liable.
Sandborn says Saanich could be prosecuted under two sections of the federal Fisheries Act, for depositing deleterious substances into fish-bearing water, and for carrying on work that disrupts a fish habitat.
He hopes that law student Katrina Andres, who undertook the project, will have an opportunity to present the findings to Saanich’s environmental advisory committee next month.
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END.
