Clean, renewable energy and environmental values on privately managed forest land were the two priorities for Cumberland council at an upcoming regional meeting.
At the Jan. 27 meeting, Village staff presented council with drafts of resolutions for Cumberland to bring to the next Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities (AVICC) meeting this spring. Council briefly discussed the report that staff presented and agreed with the two submissions proposed.
“I’m happy with both resolutions,” said Coun. Jesse Ketler. “I think it’s important to keep the pressure on.”
She added she was disappointed that BC Hydro had discontinued a program for micro-hydro projects.
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Coun. Vickey Brown then made a motion to submit the two resolutions, which passed unanimously.
Council had suggested specific topics in November, including funding for micro-hydro. The Village completed a feasibility study for a mid-sized renewable hydro project with a capacity of about 950 kW. As a comparison, the Site C project proposed for northeast B.C., according to BC Hydro, would have 1,100 MW of capacity.
As far as the forestry questions, the proposed resolutions focused on a couple of issues important to the community: harvesting in watersheds and slash pile burning.
Local governments have until Feb. 6 to submit their resolutions to AVICC. In recent years, Cumberland successfully brought forward resolutions on issues such as funding for fire halls and public safety buildings, community social planning and the continuation of income subsidy benefits.
The AVICC convention takes place in Nanaimo from April 17 to 19. Council representatives can make resolutions that can later be brought forward to the annual Union of British Columbia Municipalities conference in the fall.
mike.chouinard@comoxvalleyrecord.com
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