SPRING AHEAD | Did you remember to turn your clocks ahead one hour Saturday night?
Morning gStar
The
Sunday, March 9, 2014
P R O U D L Y
S E R V I N G
O U R
N O R T H
O K A N A G A N
w w w. v e r n o n m o r n i n g s t a r. c o m
C O M M U N I T I E S
F O R
2 5
Y E A R S
0
% for 84 months
ON ALL 2014 HD TRUCKS!
BANNISTER
4703 - 27th St. VERNON • 250-545-0606
GM DL#9133
Forestry plans upset directors RICHARD ROLKE Morning Star Staff
LISA VANDERVELDE/MORNING STAR
Residents and politicians want changes at Stickle Road and Highway 97, where there have been four or five fatal motor vehicle accidents since 2001.
Ministry comes under fire move forward. It appears like someone in that office has gone backwards.” The biggest challenge for motorists is left-turns from Stickle Road on to the highway. There have been about four or five fatalities there since 2001. According to ICBC statistics, between 2007 and 2012, there had been 89 crashes at that intersection. “I hope no one dies while they restudy the intersection,” said Fleming, who is frustrated that the ministry has not initiated a plan despite significant concerns being raised by the community for many years. Resident George Zimmerman collected 1,363 names on a petition in 2006 asking for improvements at the intersection. Among the proposed upgrades the ministry has apparently considered is a
RICHARD ROLKE Morning Star Staff
The Ministry of Transportation is being accused of dragging its feet over a dangerous intersection. The Electoral Area Advisory Committee was told Thursday that instead of action moving ahead, another study is being launched by the ministry for Stickle Road at Highway 97, along Bob Fleming the Swan Lake corridor. “I was shown four options being considered and I thought they would do something,” said Bob Fleming, BX-Swan Lake director. “Now it doesn’t look like they may
The New 2014
WE'VE GOT YOU COVERED
121
DL#30973
5-year/100,000 km worry-free comprehensive warranty
*
LIKE US ON
SAVE
LX
$ STK#214118
T-section with expanded merge lanes. “They are not very sympathetic to a traffic light there,” said Fleming. In 2012, the Regional District of North Okanagan board demanded the ministry install a traffic control light at Stickle Road as a way of improving traffic safety. The Ministry of Transportation says it recognizes the safety concerns at the intersection. “The ministry is already working on a safety and operational assessment of the Highway 97/Stickle Road intersection,” it states. “As part of this work, short and longterm improvement options are being investigated to address safety concerns. When the study has been completed this spring, the ministry will discuss the findings with the regional district and the City of Vernon.”
Some North Okanagan politicians are increasingly frustrated that community interests are taking a backseat to Ministry of Forests priorities. The Electoral Area Advisory Committee wants the Ministry of Forests to enhance public consultation over issuing new harvesting licenses. “We’re not saying, don’t cut trees. We’re saying don’t do it so it causes bad things to community watersheds,” said Jackie Pearase, rural Enderby director. Many of the concerns arose after B.C. Timber Sales, a government agency, initiated a process to possibly allow 209 hectares in the North Fork Eugene Foisy area of Cherryville to be sold off for timber harvesting. If the process proceeds, the 209 hectares could include eight new cutblocks, as well as a 6.5-kilometre road to allow for harvesting. “It would be a disaster to our watershed,” said Eugene Foisy, Cherryville director. The Cherry Ridge Management Committee had hoped it could expand operations into that area so harvesting could occur in a sustainable manner while protecting the watershed. If a license is issued to private interests, then that opportunity disappears. Pearase is upset with how B.C. Timber Sales consults with communities and elected officials. “Sending us a letter saying, ‘Give us comment in a week,’ isn’t sufficient,” she said. Beyond Cherryville, there is a concern about two new woodlots possibly being established at the headwaters of Ashton Creek, east of Enderby. “We had logging there before and there were results to our community watershed,” said Pearase, who is concerned that harvesting could worsen the possibility of flooding along Ashton Creek. “Often it’s not even the logging (that causes problems), it’s the roads they make.” Pearase believes generating money through harvest licenses appears to be the primary focus of the Ministry of Forests. “The community has done the right thing (with sustainable practises) and the ministry doesn’t give a damn about local wants and concerns,” she said. Earlier this year, the Ministry of Forests explained the BCTS process. “Prior to putting timber up for auction, BCTS conducts extensive review of each project with a particular focus on limiting potential environmental impacts,” it stated.
00
1000
$
Bi Weekly
TO LEARN MORE.
facebook.com/vernonkia
*
UP TO AN ADDITIONAL
1
CONQUEST & LOYALTY SEE DEALER FOR DETAILS.
6365 HWY 97N 250-545-7281 VERNONKIA.CA
*See Dealer for details. 1 RONDO Bi Weekly payments shown have the 15 months price reduction, after 15 months the payment is $141.00, based on a 60/84 term at 0% finance, with an unpaid balance of $8324.78. Vehicle not exactly as shown. All taxes and admin fees are included.