WEDNESDAY
S I N C E
JULY 24, 2013
1 8 9 5
Vol. 118, Issue 115
105
$
Konkin tops in another triathlon Page 9
INCLUDING G.S.T.
PROUDLY SERVING THE COMMUNITIES OF ROSSLAND, WARFIELD, TRAIL, MONTROSE, FRUITVALE & SALMO
Teck continues pursuit of fugitive dust
Rec rates on the rise
PIPE PRACTICE
BY SHERI REGNIER Times Staff
Fugitive dust is a relatively new moniker given to an historical problem in Trail. But what is it really, and why should residents care? Fugitive dust is defined as any solid particulate matter that becomes airborne, through an emission other than a stack or chimney. When inhaled, the fine particles can accumulate in the lungs, causing various respiratory problems including persistent coughing and wheezing. “Wind movement “The emissions and operation of the plants blow fugiaffect the tive dust into the community atmosphere,”said not just Trail Mayor Dieter environmentally Bogs, chair of the Trail Health but especially in and Environment terms of health.” Committee (THEC) “The emissions DIETER BOGS affect the community not just environmentally but especially in terms of health.” In response to a significant windstorm on May 5 which blew a mass quantity of fugitive dust into Rivervale and Birchbank, in early July Teck Trail Operations installed a second monitor at its north entrance that will continuously reads the level of dust in the air. “A massive windstorm went through our town and the warm air sent dust from the Trail operation toward Birchbank,” said Bogs. By the time the dust reached that area it had dissipated, rendering an inaccurate picture of the level of lead and heavy metals that may have contaminated the area. “By the time the dust reached the distance at Birchbank it was diluted and didn’t really show in the readings,” explained Bogs. The new monitor is the same distance from the centre of Teck operations as the monitor in East Trail’s Butler Park, which has been a useful tool for troubleshooting dust levels for years. “It shows minute by minute continuous readings so the next time another storm blows through the exact concentration of fugitive dust should be indicated,” he said. Dust blown into the atmosphere during an event such as a windstorm is referred to as an excursion. “Excursions are short duration abnormal events,” said Carol Vanelli Worosz, Teck’s communications manager. See MORE, Page 3
Annual pool maintenance shutdown set for Aug. 10 BY SHERI REGNIER Times Staff
GUY BERTRAND PHOTO
John McLeod (left) and Gordon Titsworth pipe out a familiar refrain during the Trail Pipe Band’s weekly practice session at Gyro Park on Monday. The band’s sounds fill the park during the summer months before heading to the Trail Armories for its winter practice sessions.
Ron & Darlene Your Local Home Team You need to We see this house! Sell 3 bedrooms Great 2 bathrooms Close to downtown Homes! Ron 250.368.1162 Darlene 250.231.0527
683 Binns, Trail
164,900
$
Incredible upgrades Charm & Character
Only two weeks left to pump iron, swim a lane or relax in the hot tub before the Trail and Leisure Aquatic Centre (TALC) closes its doors to begin annual maintenance on Aug 10. “There is a lot of work that cannot be done when the pool is occupied,” said Trisha Davison, Trail Parks and Recreation director. “We may be closed but it is a busy four weeks.” The pool will be drained and power washed while repairs are made to its pump and filtration system. Earlier this year, council allotted over $180,000 to replace TALC’s lockers this summer, work which will be completed before the doors open on Sept 8. Meanwhile, the fitness centre only will reopen on Aug 19, operating with reduced hours. In February, the Parks and Recreation Department embarked on a mission to write a master plan for delivery of services to residents in Trail. The purpose of the plan is to assist See RATES, Page 3
Contact the Times: Phone: FineLine250-368-8551 Technologies 62937 Index 9 Fax:JN250-368-8550 80% 1.5 BWR NU Newsroom: 250-364-1242
Kootenay Homes Inc. See more great homes at
www.hometeam.ca hometeam@hometeam.ca
Canada Post, Contract number 42068012