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Letter to Editor
ShareTownship tight lipped
By Jackie Pearase - Vernon Morning Star
Published: October 10, 2008 4:00 PM
Updated: October 10, 2008 7:08 PM
The Township of Spallumcheen is reserving its opinion on a report on air quality from the Okanagan Airshed Coalition.
The report, presented to Spallumcheen council Monday, includes a list of recommendations on how to best implement an air quality management plan in the Okanagan and Similkameen valleys.
The report has been approved in principle by the North Okanagan Regional District board and is being sent to partner municipalities for comment.
Coun. Carolyn Farris was disappointed the report contains no cost analysis to allow council to make an informed decision on its participation in such an initiative.
Farris also commented on the report’s focus on wood smoke as a major contributor to poor air quality when most tests in Spallumcheen point to road dust as being the biggest culprit.
Mayor Will Hansma took exception to how the management plan is proposed to be implemented.
He said it is premature to expect rural residents to reduce wood smoke when the infrastructure for alternate forms of energy is very limited in rural communities.
Hansma also agreed with Farris that wood smoke plays a small role in poor air quality.
Council will forward correspondence to NORD stating it is withholding comment on the report pending more financial information and implementation details.
