The recent Cariboo Regional District (CRD) town-hall meetings to discuss its 2011 budget and five-year financial plan included discussions about solid waste management.
The South Cariboo solid-waste budget increase of $127,000 caused the biggest requisition increase that regional district taxpayers will see this year.
Residents attending the electoral areas G, H, L and the District of 100 Mile House meetings wanted more information about the rising costs of solid-waste management.
Those who turned out heard CRD chief administrative officer Janis Bell explain how these costs have been a driving force in budget increases for the past two years.
Significant problems have arisen with solid waste in the community after tipping fees were imposed at the 100 Mile House landfill, resulting in the dumping of garbage at rural transfer stations or landfills to avoid paying.
This results in the regional district and, therefore, taxpayers picking up the costs to transport that waste to the correct facility and sorting it.
Area H Director Art Dumaresq noted that at the town-hall meeting in Forest Grove on Jan. 20, residents concerned about the increased costs were informed specifically about the problems at their own community landfill with the dumping of commercial garbage by tipping-fee dodgers.
Then at the meeting for Area L at Interlakes on Jan. 29, conversation about solid-waste issues again covered the misuse of the area's landfill sites by non-residents.
Area L Director Bruce Rattray said the Solid Waste Management Plan (SWMP) is being updated to cover the next 10 years, and a recent review included surveys and other input from about 1,000 people.
The available options for managing solid-waste issues will be assessed this year and presented to the public for discussion prior to finalizing the SWMP, he explains.
"Recycling is certainly the strong theme that's come through at previous town halls and [other meetings]. There seems to be a lot of interest in it; now the trick is how to do it most efficiently."
Area G Director Al Richmond noted that when the topic of trash disposal was brought up at the town-hall meeting held in Lac la Hache on Feb. 3, people expressed disappointment in some of their neighbours who aren't putting garbage in the correct spots, causing damage and cleanup costs.
Regarding what the CRD is doing to control commercial dumping at rural sites, Richmond said the SWMP committee is developing recommendations, and will include them in a report that is expected to be available for public input by May.
"Whether that means specified times of operation for all these locations to stops that is something we want the public engaged in when we bring out what the recommendations are from the committee."
