City asks for sewer help: As the coast braces for the next round of winter storms, City of Powell River is asking residents to take preventative measures against flooding.
City officials are asking the public to help remove leaves and tree debris from clogged storm sewer grates.
“If leaves are collecting on a catch basin in front of your house, help us out and sweep them off,” said Tor Birtig, city director of infrastructure. That simple action will help the sewer system work more efficiently, he said.
According to Birtig, during recent storms the city did not receive many calls about backed-up sewers, but vigilance is necessary.
He advised that if homeowners are having issues with water backing up, they can disconnect gutter downspouts to reduce the volume of water the city sewer is having to process. With the exception of recent construction, most homes’ perimeter drains connect directly to the city sewer line.
Birtig also asked that residents remove fallen leaves from yards and keep home drainage systems clear.
Sandbags are being made available for those in need.
Readers can report flooding by contacting the city’s engineering department at 604.485.8604.
Support website
A new website detailing health and community support services has been launched by Powell River Division of Family Practice in association with Vancouver Coastal Health.
For Everything That’s Community Health Powell River (FETCH) provides an interactive online catalogue of over 300 community services.
Frequently accessed information on FETCH includes contact information for Assumption Soup Kitchen, Powell River General Hospital Oncology Clinic and Salvation Army Soup Kitchen.
Similar websites are used in Nanaimo, Lower Sunshine Coast and Campbell River.
For more information go to powellriver.fetchbc.ca.
Fishing deadline
Commercial fishers interested in relinquishing license eligibilities or quotas have until Friday, December 18, to apply to Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO).
Prior to making application, DFO recommends fishers considering relinquishing quotas or eligibilities seek independent advice regarding income tax, financial and legal implications.
The license relinquishments are part of DFO’s aim to expand First Nations fisheries in Canada under the Pacific Integrated Commercial Fisheries Initiative (PICFI).
Funding is available for First Nations fishers participating in the PICFI to apply for license eligibility and quotas directly, with a deadline of March 31, 2016.
Readers can find more information at pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca.
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