The Cariboo Regional District (CRD) is working on some potential resolutions to submit to the North Central Local Government Association (NCLGA) annual general meeting and conference May 11-13.
At the Feb. 11 CRD meeting, directors discussed some resolutions that will be finalized later this month.
Some potential resolutions being considered include temporarily rescinding the provincial ban of incandescent light bulbs.
CRD chair Al Richmond says the board's reason for holding off on the ban is there aren't yet enough answers available regarding the disposal of light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs and proper recycling and disposal of the compact fluorescent light (CFL) fixtures.
More research needs to be done, he adds, as well as ensuring enough recycling facilities are in place before incandescent bulbs are suddenly gone from retail shelves.
Richmond notes the implementation of an environmental fee applied to invasive plants and nuisance alien species sold through horticultural centres is another possible resolution for NCLGA.
Some seed sources and nurseries are carrying invasive plants, as well as alien aquatic plant species that people put into their ponds, he says, adding they then get out into the lakes and create problems.
The board chair explains this might involve an import tariff at the point of entry, as well as pressuring the provincial government to stop allowing the sale of these plants and alien species in local stores.
Richmond says the CRD will likely submit something to deal with the lack of sufficient high-speed Internet and cell phone coverage for rural communities.
One case, in particular, relates to safety issues occurring in the Chilcotin, where public pay phones are being removed from the Alexis Creek, Tatla Lake and Anahim Lake areas, and yet there continues to be no cell service available.
The CRD will also likely re-submit a resolution to support funding for the SPCA through an additional pet food levy which was previously denied by NCLGA.
Richmond says this is a way for people purchasing pet food to subsidize the SPCA, which does "a wonderful job" and is known to be underfunded.
