Following are the board highlights from the March 2 Cariboo Regional District (CRD) meeting:
Wind energy
The CRD will provide a letter of support regarding the feasibility of small-scale wind energy production on agricultural operations to the BC Cattlemen's Association and the BC Agricultural Research and Development Corporation.
The letter will accompany its funding applications to the Ministry of Agriculture, BC Hydro and Farm Credit Canada.
If successfully developed and implemented, small-scale wind energy projects in the region could feasibly contribute to the Card's goal for a 33 per cent reduction in community greenhouse gas emissions by 2020 and 80 per cent by 2050 (from 2007 levels.)
Hall upgrades
The Roe Lake & District Recreation Commission Society obtained board approval for up to $7,500 of Community Works Funding for the Interlakes Community Hall.
The funds will primarily be used to perform lighting upgrades to improve the energy efficiency of the building, and result in annual energy savings of approximately 3,200 kilowatt-hours (KWH).
Woodstove exchange
Trustees moved to amend the Building Bylaw to allow the CRD to waive permit fees to support special programs, as well as resolving to waive building permit fees for the installation of woodstoves under the 2011 Woodstove Exchange Program.
NCLGA executive
Mayor Mitch Campsall of 100 Mile House will be seeking election as first vice-president for the 2011 North Central Local Government Association (NCLGA).
NCLGA resolutions
The CRD board will submit the following resolutions to the NCLGA conference to be held in Prince Rupert, May 11-13:
Ñ The ban of incandescent light bulbs;
Ñ Tourist accommodation taxation;
Ñ Environmental levy on incoming freight;
Ñ Terminology amendment to legislation: noxious versus nuisance;
Ñ Regulation of the sale of seeds and plants;
Ñ Support for SPCA;
Ñ Cell phone and high speed Internet accessibility;
Ñ Removal of phone booths in rural communities;
Ñ Development of a provincial agricultural policy; and
Ñ Refundable deposits for all glass containers.
JEPP funding
The CRD received Joint Emergency Preparedness Program (JEPP) funding towards its regional emergency operations planning and preparedness activities.
The more than $12,600 in grants were used to purchase equipment for the regional district's primary and secondary emergency operations centres, as well as backup power generators for them to operate during power outages.
Variance appointments
The directors appointed Nigel Hemingway, Ron Hume and Norm Redden to the Board of Variance for three-year terms effective March 2.
Liquor licence
The board approved a Special Occasion Liquor Licence application from the Watch Lake/Green Lake Resort, Guest Ranch and Business Association to hold a beer garden in conjunction with a fishing derby at Tall Timbers Resort on June 4-5.
