Drinking Water Watershed Protection Action Plan
When we think about our communities and what makes them healthy we all understand the importance of water. Access to safe and adequate water allows us to make the most of our lives, promotes healthy communities and, when managed properly, preserves the environment in which we live.
Achieving a balance between our use of water and the impact that has on the environment is necessary; without that balance we risk continually reducing the environmental health of our region. The pressures we see with growth and land use decisions are just two areas that have a direct effect on that ability to provide water for the future.
With this in mind the Regional District of Nanaimo has developed a Drinking Water – Watershed Protection Action Plan. This plan was developed with input from area residents, representatives of local conservation groups, Provincial government, the well drilling industry and a number of other related stakeholders.
The Action Plan is a 10-year program aimed at improving our understanding of the region’s watersheds and leading to increased protection of the ground and surface water resources that sustain our communities. The Action Plan will be facilitated by the establishment of a drinking water and watershed protection area covering all electoral areas within the regional district. In November 2008 the Regional District will be asking residents of all seven Electoral Areas if they are in favour of establishing a single service area for this purpose. More information on the Action Plan, its scope and the costs will be presented to the public this fall. Please watch for updates at the RDN WaterSmart site.
Recreation programming
The Recreation and Parks Department is continuing to develop its rural recreation service delivery strategy based on Recreation Services Master Plan recommendations completed in July 2006. This strategy is intended to provide enhanced recreation services to some of the outlying rural areas of the District. Kim Longmuir, a recreation programmer with the Regional District began working in Electoral Area H as of January. Kim’s role is to work with the community organizations and residents to support, coordinate and develop recreation program services throughout the Area. She will be collaborating closely with the Lighthouse Recreation Commission and the School District with respect to the provision of services, and is currently working on the development of summer children’s programs and other exciting opportunities for the residents of Area H.
Kim will be utilizing a planning document that was completed in the fall of 2007 by Carolynn Mead, a Malaspina University College student, who volunteered to work with the Regional District of Nanaimo and the Lighthouse Recreation Commission for her internship. The document provides valuable information regarding recreation services in Electoral Area H based on a recreation survey completed last summer. This document will be a valuable resource for Kim in building relationships and starting the process of enhancing the recreation services provided through the Regional District of Nanaimo in Area H.
Kim may be contacted at her office location, housed at the new EyesonBC office in Bowser. To contact her, call: 250-757-8118 or .
Electoral Area H Village Centres Study
Later this spring, the RDN will be initiating a study of the village centres in Area H. The first step will be to have the community determine the scope and extent of the study. A terms of reference for the study has not yet been prepared, but some possible topics for the study to address include: how to ensure that development is sustainable and green, desired uses and densities in the village centres, servicing, and location and extent of the village centres. As information on the study is available it will be posted on the RDN’s web site. I encourage all residents to get involved with this process as it will help to determine the way we live, work and interact in our community.
Shaping Our Future
The Regional District of Nanaimo is reviewing its Regional Growth Strategy. The original Strategy was adopted in 1997 by the member municipalities and unincorporated electoral areas, and was developed in response to concerns about the impacts of growth in the region. Rapid growth in the late 1980s and early 1990s raised residents’ concerns about worsening traffic, loss of open space and natural areas, increased costs of services, and changing neighbourhoods.
Since that time new concerns have risen to the forefront including climate change, food security and affordable housing. In response to these new challenges there is a need to review the Strategy to determine how it can be better integrated with other strategies to help achieve the vision for a socially, economically and environmentally healthy region. This is your chance to shape your future! How and where should we grow? The RDN Board wants to hear your views on the shape of the Regional District of Nanaimo’s future. For further information and to provide your input and ideas please go to www.ShapingOurFuture.ca.
Seismic review of fire halls
The RDN Board has budgeted for seismic reviews of all its fire halls to ensure that we are able to maintain our role in regional emergency response and preparedness. A recent seismic study of the Nanoose Bay fire hall showed that the building could potentially become non-operational if a serious earthquake occurred. This means that the risk is there for all RDN fire halls.
Our Fire Departments are a key part of regional emergency response and preparedness, and we need to make sure that they can operate under severe disaster conditions. As part of the final adjustments to 2008 budgets, the RDN Board approved including the cost of a seismic review for the Bow Horn Bay, Dashwood, Errington, Coombs Hilliers and Extension volunteer fire departments.
