BC Hydro to surge river flows amid drought
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Friday, August 14, 2015
AGRICULTURE
HEALTH
Hot weather boosts vineyards Warning Drought and warm temperatures bring sweeter grapes for local wine growers KRISTI DOBSON ALBERNI VALLEY TIMES
While water restrictions and the risk of forest fires peak, the heatwave in the Alberni Valley has been a blessing for local wine producers. An early bumper crop of grapes means an early harvest and better tasting wine is soon to come. At Emerald Coast Vineyards at the top of the highway, manager Rhonda McLellan expects to be out picking grapes nearly two months earlier than usual. “We normally pick around Thanksgiving in October, but this year we will probably be picking as early as the end of August,” McLellan said. It is unusual, but it is not the first time for the family-run business. Last year, crews were out picking six weeks early, but McLellan said this year is shaping up to be even better. “Last year was the first time in 15 years we had it so hot and dry consistently and we produced nice wines that are being released now,” McLellan said. She said the high temperatures and lack of rain have been working in their favour to produce more distinct-tasting wines. “We expect to be picking about the same amount, but just earlier,” she said. “The sugars will be better because of the length of time in the heat. The grapes are always small because we don’t irrigate and let them find their own source of water.” That stress, along with the heat, brings the sugar levels up, she said. McLellan said winemaking was not always in the family’s plan. Her parents, Evan and Angelika McLellan had a farm, but when Evan developed allergies to hay, he decided to plant grapes on the acreage. “And here we are,” McLellan said. “It wasn’t in the master plan but it has snowballed from there.” McLellan’s brother, Adam, is the
still up for Canal Beach
KRISTI DOBSON ALBERNI VALLEY TIMES
Rhonda McLellan at Emerald Coast Vineyards expects to be picking the harvest much earlier than usual due to the hot, dry summer the Alberni Valley has experienced. [KRISTI DOBSON, TIMES]
“We normally pick around Thanksgiving in October, but this year we will probably be picking as early as the end of August.” Rhonda McLellan, Emerald Coast Vineyards
lead winemaker. Vaughan Chase, proprietor of another family-run winery, Chase and Warren Estates, said he is about one month ahead of schedule. “Some varieties, like the early muscat, are pickable now,” Chase said. “Usually they are edible
around Labour Day.” His other varieties are also starting, which normally have to all be taken off the vines in mid-October. “Sometimes we can pick them all and sometimes things happen that conspire against you,” Chase said. The problem, he said, is the lack of provision in the Alberni Valley for watering in the agricultural industry. “Every farmer is on his own,” he said. “We can’t take domestic water for irrigation. It takes a lot to irrigate otherwise the crops suffer.” For Chase, irrigation has been a double-edged sword. He said some crops are suffering because of the lack of irrigation. His vines in sand and gravel have found water but those in clay have a hard time.
“They get inundated with water in the winter and it swamps the roots so they die,” Chase said. “In the Spring they can’t handle the drought situation and that’s what I think happened.” He said what is good for the grapes is not good for the vines. “I expect above normal sugar levels in the grapes, so in that regard it is good,” Chase said. Both local wineries produce and bottle their own varieties and expect better tasting wine than usual. The early arrival of the small, sweet fruit makes for a labour-intensive summer for the families, but the fruits of their labour allow it to be appreciated by wine lovers for many years. Kristi.Dobson@avtimes.net
Canal Beach remains on a no-swimming advisory. The ongoing beach advisory was put in place by Island Health after sample results showed high bacterial levels earlier this summer. Levels of enterococci are considered high if they measure more than 35 particles per 100 milliliters in a sample and swimming is not recommended by VIHA. On June 5, samples taken at Canal Beach recorded the enterococci level at 100. It improved slightly on July 21 by dropping to 85 but by July 27, enterococci samples were measured at 600 per 100 milliliters. The most recent test conducted by the city was passed and considered safe, but a second was required by VIHA, which took place on Monday. Results were expected to return by yesterday but were not yet available. The advisory will be lifted after two consecutive good sample results. Kellie Hudson, VIHA media relations manager, said swimming in contaminated water is risky. “Swimming in contaminated water can result in increased risk of infection of the ears, nose and throat or gastrointestinal illnesses if the water is swallowed,” Hudson said in an email. VIHA will notify the public on its website once the advisory is lifted and the city will continue to post a warning sign at the beach kiosk until it is safe to swim.
INFRASTRUCTURE
No plans yet for Alberni to benefit from rail upgrade MARTIN WISSMATH ALBERNI VALLEY TIMES
The provincial government reaffirmed its commitment to provide $7 million for the re-establishment of the Esquimalt & Nanaimo rail line, though it’s uncertain when freight or passenger locomotive service will return to the Alberni Valley. “The government understands the importance of the historic E&N rail corridor to communities across Vancouver Island,” stated the B.C. Minister of Transportation, Todd Stone, in a press release last month. The Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District included the release from the Island Corridor Foundation as an item at the board meeting
MCRAE
Wednesday. “We want to see the return of a fully operational passenger rail service on Vancouver Island and today we are one step closer,” Stone stated.
Currently plans for passenger service do not include the Alberni Valley. Twice daily runs would travel from Nanaimo to Victoria, with service to Qualicum Beach on Wednesdays and weekends, and service to Courtenay on weekends and statutory holidays. Provincial funding is conditional, and the B.C. Government won’t spend its $7-million commitment until the federal government likewise commits $7.5 million to support the Island railway project. The government is also waiting on confirmation that the upgrade to the rail corridor, which has been unused since operations were suspended in March 2011 due to poor track conditions, can be completed within its budgeted $20.4 million.
The regional districts of Alberni-Clayoquot, Cowichan Valley, Comox Valley, Nanaimo and the Capital, along with the Southern Railway of Vancouver Island and the Island Corridor Foundation, have committed to fund the remaining $5.9 million of the budgeted amount. “Putting together the funding has required the ICF to have patience and determination, but the board has not wavered in its resolve to keep rail service alive on Vancouver Island,” stated ICF co-chair Dr. Judith Sayers. “We know the people are supportive of the rail project and we all look forward to getting the VIA passenger service operational between Victoria and Courtenay.”
Russell Dyson, chief administrative officer for the ACRD, said the regional district invested in the E&N because the east coast line is needed as a first step to eventually restoring rail service to the Alberni Valley. It’s also part of an agreement with the Island Corridor Foundation itself, which supports operation of the Alberni Pacific Railway to McLean Mill, Dyson said. It could be many years before passenger rail service returns to Port Alberni, said Ken McRae, who represents the ACRD on the ICF board. But the line from Parksville is the next step to developing the E&N, he noted. See RAILWAY, Page 3
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