FRIDAY AUGUST 2, 2013 VOL. 39, NO. 10
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Watch for more online at: WWW.BOWENISLANDUNDERCURRENT.COM
Three loads of food
Cram the Cruiser yielded much needed sustanence for Bowen Island Food Bank
Bowfest memories
Real estate on Bowen
What the end-of-summer festival means to long-time islanders
See the range of beautiful places that are up for grabs
Bye, bye, BIRD Volunteer organization transfers responsibility for recycling to the municipality SUSANNE MARTIN EDITOR
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Hugo felt right at home at the fire hall last Saturday. His mom, Michelle, supplied extra water (and food) after the junior fireman put out a little fire at the demo, story on page 2. Marcus Hondro photo
Public input on regulating dock construction SUSANNE MARTIN EDITOR
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public open house regarding zoning for private and group moorages was held on Thursday, July 25, at Cates Hill Chapel. Maps were displayed to allow islanders to mark areas of concern, comment sheets were available for public input and a presentation by the Bowen Island Municipality’s planning consultant
Judy McLeod was followed by a question and answer period. McLeod had prepared a presentation to highlight some of the issues involved. “Bowen Island includes land covered by water extending seaward 300 metres from the natural high water mark. This land is owned by the provincial Crown, which issues licenses and foreshore tenure. The province seeks to comply with all federal, provincial and municipal regulations, includ-
ing municipal zoning,” McLeod stated, adding that her presentation focused on the Water General (WG1) Zone that applies to most of the Bowen Island coastline. McLeod drew attention to the fact that current permitted uses and structures for the WG1 zone include boat moorage, docking and launching, neighbourhood and community docks, marine navigation, boat houses and structures continued, PAGE 3
n August 1, the Bowen Island Recycling Depot Society (BIRD) informed the Bowen Island Municipality that it will continue the operation of the recycling depot on Mount Gardner Road only until the end of this year. “Now that recycling is a mandated responsibility throughout British Columbia, the task of recycling has grown to be too complex to be operated by a volunteer organization. As such, we hereby give notice to the Bowen Island Municipality that effective January 1, 2014, BIRD is transferring responsibility for recycling on Bowen Island to the municipality,” the society stated in a press release. Bill Carr, who has been involved in BIRD for 13 years, says the decision was not an easy one but “the population has grown and the amount of recycling has grown to a volume that is challenging to manage by a group of volunteers.” Carr, who volunteered with BIRD until this summer, says he enjoyed his time with the organization immensely. “Working at the depot for a couple hours, you often get thanked at least twice in that period,” he said. “Islanders really appreciate what we have been doing.” Carr explained that the sale of materials has paid for upkeep and ongoing costs of the recycling depot and the municipality has paid for the transport of containers to the mainland - around 109 bins per year
at $560 per trip, as well as 32 loads of electronic waste. “BIRD has fulfilled its goal of encouraging and implementing recycling on Bowen Island. It began as an act of social responsibility and has been long recognized as an innovator in B.C. recycling,” the press release states. Carr sees BIRD as a viable model for recycling and noted that it collects most of the materials that are banned from the garbage stream as well as additional items such as batteries, plastic bags, ink cartridges and fluorescent bulbs. He hopes that this service to Bowen Islanders will continue to be available under the umbrella of the municipality. “We are aware that the municipality is currently engaged in the formulation of a long-term contract for waste management on Bowen Island and feel that now is the appropriate time to make this transfer so that all systemic efficiencies can be maximized. We trust that waste management and recycling on the island will continue to evolve and become increasingly effective and efficient,” BIRD’s press release says. “We would also like to the take this opportunity to acknowledge and thank all of the volunteers, past and current, who have given their energies for the betterment of our community through their volunteerism at BIRD.” BIRD (http://www.bowenislandrecyclingdepot.com) will continue to operate the depot as usual until January 1, 2014, unless an earlier date for the transfer will be set.
First Credit Union invites you to join us for the following FREE Movie Under the Stars event this summer:
August 12 Crippen Park, Bowen Island For movie title and event information visit:
www.facebook.com/firstcugroup/events Concession proceeds going to Caring Circle • Everyone welcome • No charge • Weather permitting •
www.firstcu.ca
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604.947.2022