Directors seek dock direction

In order to continue to operate docks on Gambier, Keats and Thormanby islands the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) needs to obtain letters of consent from the upland owners. If the letters of consent are not received soon, the SCRD may not be granted a water lot lease renewal and the docks may need to be closed.

"This in my view is one of the biggest issues that we have with those docks we took on," said West Howe Sound director Lee Turnburn at the Feb. 3 infrastructure services committee meeting. "As part of the dock we didn't get the land right in front, so we're required to negotiate with these upland owners and that kind of gets in the way of negotiating with them about money for use of the dock as well. It's become kind of a twisted issue."

Staff noted they are currently trying to get the documentation together to apply for the water lot renewals, but the provincial government wanted the information by the end of January.

When asked what would happen if the upland owners refused to provide a letter of consent, staff said the water lot lease would not be approved by the province.

"I believe the process would be that we would not be able to have our water lot lease renewed. I believe that if you don't have a water lot lease then we would have to remove the structures [docks]," said Brian Sagman, manager of transportation and facilities.

Asbestos

A change in policy at New West Gypsum, the Coast's gypsum recycler, will mandate that all recycled material coming to them be free of asbestos.

Gypsum from renovations, demolition and new construction is collected at the Sechelt and Pender Harbour landfills and sent to New West Gypsum to be recycled.

Recently WorkSafe BC mandated that the recycling company implement an asbestos exposure control plan, which will require gypsum wallboard products manufactured before 1980 undergo verification that they are free of asbestos before the material is accepted.

The gypsum recycler is delaying implementation of the new policy for three months to allow more time for planning and implementation. The company is also trying to find a qualified asbestos tester on the Coast to certify gypsum coming from our area.

SCRD staff is currently consulting other waste management professionals to find out how they plan to comply with the new rules. They are also talking with the contractor responsible for hauling gypsum off Coast and building department staff to come up with a plan to meet the new requirements.

Energy tool

The SCRD will be helping develop a new community energy-modeling tool with MK Jaccard and Associates.

"Essentially this tool is being designed to support our work in accurately forecasting and modifying potential policy initiatives for our emissions abatement in this region," community energy manager Johan Stroman told directors during a presentation last week.

MK Jaccard wants to work with the SCRD and two other B.C. communities in developing the new tool.

-Christine Wood