City Addresses Environmental Concerns

A number of residents and groups have been expressing their disapproval with CN Rail storing and chipping their surplus creosote rail ties behind Station House Gallery and subsequent burning of the chips in the Capital Power co-generation facility. Environmental and health concerns include:

• impacts of creosote soaked chips stored in the downtown core
• contaminated smoke from smouldering chips piles at Capital Power Plant
• emissions from the burning of creosote chips in the Capital Power Plant

CN Rail has been off-loading, storing and chipping rail ties at this site for a number of years on land leased from BC Rail Properties, with the chips transported to Capital Power for incineration . In recent weeks and months, the volume of both ties and chips has grown exponentially, to the point where piles now cover the entire surface of the site. Upon speaking with Capital Power, the co-generation plant has accumulated a significant inventory of chips due to a projected reduction in sawmill production which didn't completely materialize and an increase of chips from other sources in order to compensate for the projected decline in sawmill volumes. At the same time, it appears that CN began increasing their volume of rail ties coming into Williams Lake for disposal. Unfortunately Capital Power was unable to accommodate a corresponding increase in volume from CN Rail.

In response to growing complaints from the community, Capital Power discontinued accepting rail tie chips from CN Rail last week. This in spite of the fact that their emissions permit from the Ministry of Environment allows for the combustion of rail ties. The City investigated the storage of ties and chips below Oliver Street and identified non-compliance with the BC Fire Code resulting from storage of wood products in proximity to forest and grass.

The City has been in communication with CN Rail and BC Rail Properties on the matter and as a result, BC Rail is in the process of cancelling CN Rail's lease. CN Rail advises they are planning to relocate their operation with no indication of where or when. In the meantime, the City is pursuing an order from the Fire Commissioner's office to address the improper storage or wood materials.

The City will be monitoring the situation closely in the coming weeks to ensure the chips and ties are removed as soon as possible to prevent the risk of fire and associated health and environmental impacts.

March a Busy Month

My apologies for not keeping my blog up to date this past month. March has been extremely busy, particularly with the final steps of the 2010 budget process. There has also been a lot of activity associated with preparing for the Prosperity Federal Panel Review hearings, a number of new or amended bylaws and continued efforts with the ICSP and OCP proecesses. With the budget almost complete, I hope to get back to more regular blogging.

Richmond O-Zone a Great Success

With the 2010 Olympic Games wrapping up, it is hard to believe that an event that has been in the planning stages for the better part of a decade has come and gone. The national spirit and pride generated by the Games was unparalleled and will be ingrained in the hearts and minds of Canadians and our visitors for the rest of their lives.

So what did the 2010 Games do for Williams Lake and the Cariboo? Are we as a community and a region better off as a result of these Games? Those questions were and will be debated by those with differing views. But what can't be debated is the spirit and excitement of the Olympic Torch relay as it passed through the City and exposure we received at BC Street at the Richmond O-Zone. I feel very fortunate to have been involved with both events and share in the excitement of the organizers and participants.

BC Street put Williams Lake and the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast on the map during the Games. In the two days I worked at BC Street, I was absolutely amazed at the numbers of people who visited our pavilion and the genuine interest they showed in our region. People from all over the world surged through our displays, anxious to sign the 'tree' and sample some Birch Syrup, Beef Jerky and Pepperoni and learn more about our region. It would be impossible to duplicate the international exposure we received over the 17 days of the event. Credit has to be given to the staff at the CRD who spearheaded the initiative and all of the staff and elected folks who stood for many long hours greeting visitors and being ambassadors of our great region.

In my view, our City and region did very well by the Olympic Games and we will reap the rewards for years to come.