A region-wide illegal dumping strategy has been approved by the qathet Regional District board of directors.
At the board meeting on Wednesday, December 18, directors endorsed the strategy, which is a three-year plan that maps the way forward for all organizations and agencies that have a role or responsibility in monitoring or enforcement of illegal dumping. The strategy includes the creation of a regulatory illegal dumping bylaw that helps to coordinate all jurisdictions to catch illegal dumpers.
Electoral Area B director Mark Gisborne said he had concerns about a strategy that has language for a potential bylaw and enforcement. He said he was wondering if there was a way to remove it from the strategy and come back to it at a future time because adopting the strategy as it is would require staff to begin that work.
“I’m concerned about the number of reports and work we are putting on staff, especially if there appears to be resistance at this board to adopt bylaw enforcement for illegal dumping,” said Gisborne.
Chief administrative officer Al Radke said the forecasted timeline for the work is 2021.
Radke added that this initiative does not mean a bylaw officer will be hired. It means the regional district will have the tools for officers already out there in the woods who are patrolling, according to Radke. This would include all kinds of peace officers, the RCMP and conservation officers, et cetera, he said.
Regional district manager of asset management and strategic initiatives Mike Wall said the implementation schedule identifies this item as research over 2020 and 2021. He said there was the potential for bringing a draft bylaw to the board in 2022.
“It’s just something for us to pay attention to and talk to other local governments to see how things are working for them,” said Wall. “It’s not like we are going to be running out in 2020 and developing a bylaw.”
Radke said the regional district wants to be cognizant of being somewhat consistent and unified with other members of the Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities with regard to illegal dumping. He said qathet Regional District is coordinating with them at meetings and there should be policies, wherever they can, that are similar in nature with other communities.
According to a staff report, the proposed illegal dumping strategy aims to continue building strong relationships with other government partners, utility and forest companies that manage vast areas of land, to promote a consistent message to the community. The report states that to have the most substantial impact in addressing illegal dumping and its impacts, it is essential that all organizations and agencies that have a role or responsibility in monitoring or enforcement of illegal dumping, work together and are informed and guided by the same strategy.
