5-pound trout wins Great Central Lake derby
DAVE KOSZEGI
Sports, Page 10
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Friday Friday, April 10, 10 2015
ENVIRONMENT
Lowest snowpack in 30 years City expects water restrictions sooner than ever unless significant rainfall fills reservoirs this spring ERIC PLUMMER ALBERNI VALLEY TIMES
Mount Arrowsmith, the highest mountain on the southern half of Vancouver Island, towers above the Alberni Valley. The surrounding mountains are dusted with the lowest snowpack in over 30 years last winter, leading city officials to expect water restrictions much sooner than usual this year. [ERIC PLUMMER, TIMES]
The lowest snowpack in over 30 years has made water restrictions an inevitability for the Alberni Valley in the coming months unless the area sees a significant rainfall this spring and summer. The level of snow stored in Vancouver Island’s mountains has been unseasonably low all winter, declining from 33 per cent of normal levels in February to the 15 per cent tracked by the province’s River Forecast Centre in early April. Levels near the Alberni Valley are even more concerning; no snow-water equivalent was recorded from the Mount Cokely monitoring location near Cameron Lake on April 2, while the Elk River station west of Campbell River and Jump Creek south of the Alberni Valley also indicated no collection of snow. At this time last year the Mount Cokely location, which lies at an elevation of 1,267 metres, had a snow-water equivalent of 1,086 millimetres. The previous record low tracked by the forecast centre at the spot was 831 millimetres. Along with underground water and rainfall, the storage of snow in the surrounding mountains provides for streams and the city’s
CICON
water supply. This winter’s nonexistent snowpack has caught the attention of municipal officials. “There is a high probability for water shortage in the coming summer,” said city engineer Guy Cicon. Water usage is usually highest in the summer months, and exceeded 20 millions litres on some of July’s hottest days. A ban on outdoor watering was announced for alternating days in August, but Cicon expects such restrictions could come earlier in 2015. See SNOWPACK, Page 12
MUNICIPALITY
Protect trails from dumping: Sauvé KRISTI DOBSON ALBERNI VALLEY TIMES
Labour ministry plans $125K funding for PCU The Minister of Labour paid a visit to Port Alberni on Thursday to announce support for workers facing disabling injuries. » Alberni Region, 3
Kiwanis International celebrates 100 years The City of Port Alberni Council proclaimed this week – April 6 to April 12 – as Kiwanis International Centennial Week. » Alberni Region, 3
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City councillor Denis Sauvé thinks the escalating problem of illegal dumping in trails and on forest land is getting out of hand. Recently he has taken it on his own to do some cleaning up but feels it will take more than one person with a truck. “In the last couple of months I have been getting a lot of emails and have been monitoring some Facebook sites,” Sauvé said. “We have all of these attractions like the steam train, McLean Mill and the Lady Rose. The trails need to be protected too.” In the last two weeks, Sauvé has single-handedly picked up 2100 pounds of garbage and made five trips to the dump. “It has been a lot of effort and work after recycling what I could,” he said. Sauvé said it is a lot more than candy wrappers and pop cans that are being dumped. Within city limits he found bags of discarded diapers and on the way to the lookout behind Coombs Country Candy there was a mattress, bus seat and other furniture. “I found 45 empty milk jugs,” he said. “This is illegal, offensive and expensive,” he said. Not only does he want to encourage others to lend a hand to pick
“I found 45 empty milk jugs. This is illegal, offensive and expensive.” Denis Sauvé, city councillor
up some of the mess, he wants to educate the public. “Some of this dumping attracts bears into town,” he said. Sauvé has also done his research around bylaws and fines related to illegal dumping. He learned the ACRD does not have staff to pick up the garbage on regional district land so he took it upon himself. The regional district does, however, provide assistance to help keep the areas under control. “We have a budget within the solid waste management program to clean up problem areas or take waste without charging a landfill tipping fee,” said ACRD chief administrative officer, Russell Dyson. “We work collectively with non-profit groups and Island Timberlands where there are problem areas.” People found littering on provincially-owned land can face a $115 fine, Sauvé said. “There is another law that covers waste causing pollution which is
Garbage dumped on the side of the road. Coun. Denis Sauvé recently found and cleaned up 2,000 pounds of garbage from local trails. [SUBMITTED PHOTO]
$575,” he said. There are no specific laws to prohibit littering on city property, he said. Under the criminal code, mischief, including damage to property causing it to be dangerous to the public brings a fine of up to $2,000. Sauvé said he hopes people will report what they see to the City
and Regional District. “I am soon planning to entertain a motion to council which would carry a fine for littering and dumping in city limits,” he said. Sauvé said the situation is just getting worse and wants everyone to do their part to help in the cleanup efforts. KDobson@avtimes.net
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