Up front: Cobble Hil elk kil targets farm invaders Valley: Cowichan students taking double the credit
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Friday, September 28, 2012
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North Cowichan burning ban on its way in 2013?
The Fire and Water edition InÅexible authorities blamed as Cowichan River running dry
Mayor says: says: Gradual push could come to its conclusion next year
Peter W. Rusland
ackyard burning could be banned in North Cowichan’s urban-rural properties by this time next year, the mayor says. Jon Lefebure signalled snuf¿ng residential and commercial ¿res is part of council’s gradual plan to cure smoke-related health issues, and cork climate-change pollution sources. “We all agreed we don’t want to make enemies, but to get support for what we’re doing,” he told the News Leader Pictorial about tackling what many folks — excluding farmers governed by provincial burning rules — see as their traditional right to light ¿res. “Backyard burning is the most convenient way to get rid of yard debris, but it ruins the lives of people with compromised breathing situations — that far outweighs the convenience factor,” Lefebure said. “We’ve had huge resistance about the right to burn. It’s been a gradual approach. “I hope by a year from now we’ll have the next step in more urban zones.” That step is the last of three steps Lefebure started while in his ¿rst mayoral term. “In my ¿rst time as mayor, I set up the environmental committee and the ¿rst big thing we looked at was backyard burning in North Cowichan. We set three goals: education, alternatives, and regulation. “We moved down the path with education about the dangers of (smoke’s) particulate matter. more on A3
Peter W. Rusland
News Leader Pictorial
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News Leader Pictorial
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war of words about a dry Cowichan River could impact Chinook stocks now, and spell downstream effects, local of¿cials signal. Record-low levels in the Cowichan River have regional brass demanding provincial permission to store water in Cowichan Lake to drown current and future droughts. Dry river beds could affect Chinook salmon now trying to swim upstream to spawn, local volunteers note. Still, drinking water and Tzouhalem Road sewage-lagoon treatment Àows aren’t at risk, Kate Miller, Cowichan Valley Regional District’s environmental policy manager, noted Thursday. “The sky’s not falling but we’re concerned this is a trend, and the fact we’re about to break a drought record gives us the opportunity to talk about this very important issue.” The problem, regional agents explain, is a provincial licence with Catalyst’s Crofton mill, stipulating minimum Àow from Cowm ichan Lake must be seven cubic metres per second. “Right now, we’re deviating at 5.9 cubic metres per Parker Jefferson: second,” Miller said, noting worried a provincial OK for that lower Àow. “We just want a bit more Àexibility, and not just in an emergency.” Staff with the ministry of forests, lands, and natural resource operations said CVRD directors could apply for a new water licence on conservation grounds — outside Catalyst’s current licence — allowing a boost in the lake’s allowable storage. And Catalyst could apply — but hasn’t
Andrew Leong
Duncan volunteer ÄreÄghter Hailea Hatcher attempts to siphon water from the Cowichan River to battle a small brush Äre earlier this month. — to amend its licence, with backing from a second party, staff explained. “Another quali¿ed party may apply for a second licence, i.e. the CVRD, which would allow a higher lake level, and would not impact the water volumes already allowed under Catalyst’s current licence,” provincial spokesman Brennan Clarke says in an email to the News Leader Pictorial. “The province does not believe it should unilaterally alter long-standing agreements on water usage in the area, but is willing to help facilitate a community-derived solution, en-
dorsed by local government, with the proper water licences in place.” The push and pull frustrated Miller. “We’re playing ping-pong. That’s why (CVRD brass) met with the minister in the spring. “The outcome was provincial regulations stand how they are, and it’s (water storage) at the discretion of the water manager.” But water managers referred press questions to the ministry yesterday. Minister Steven Thomson was unavailable for comments by press time Thursday. Miller cited ministry ¿gures show-
ing rising daily temperatures, and falling precipitation, between July and Sept. 19. Numbers show zero rain so far in September versus 47 millimetres normally. This month also posted a daily temperature of 23.6C, against an average 20C. July’s average daily temperature was 24C with 20 mm of rain, compared to an average 23.3C and 20 mm. August’s average was 24.6C with 2mm of rain, versus 23.8C with 25mm. more on A12
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