We are now into the yearly flood of Keremeos Creek. This flood is a few weeks behind this year, and some say it has reached its peak, but I am not sure about this.
I have for the last three years monitored the creek and taken photos. Saying this, it seems to be showing that the water is retreating but at the same time there is lots of snow still to melt at Apex and Nickelplate and we could still get some rain.
Comparing the photos, which have been taken approximately every two days this year) to last years and knowing that there is still a lot of snow up in the mountains waiting to melt, this flood could last another month.
I have been knocking on federal and provincial doors regarding Keremeos Creek flooding and the Similkameen River dikes damage from the ice jam a few years ago, but to no avail.
There are a number of conferences and conventions for municipal directors, councillors, and mayors and rural directors during the year; it seems that some people think this is for the elected people so they can munch, crunch and party and have a holiday on taxpayers, they are wrong. Not to forget that a rural area director is also looked upon as a mayor and councillor at the same time. At these conference/conventions there is an opportunity to talk to different ministries and to present a brief of your case and plea for help. There are also a number of different lectures of different kinds, and you learn a lot, also chances to exchange experience with others and learn about new programs – grants that could/would be available to your area. I myself have been successful in receiving grants to help my constituents.
At these conferences you are given the opportunity to understand legislation, letters of patent, and the way legislation governs and restricts what a director or councillor can and cannot do. You keep learning about new programs, government acts, and the local government act etc.
FCM, Federation of Canadian Municipalities, is a body that presents cases and wish lists, from Canadian communities and urge the federal government to consider, adopt and support different recommendations and policies, like the one we the voting delegate voted on in Halifax. We endorsed a federal resolution that would require medical marijuana producers to comply with local safety bylaws and regulations. The proposed changes by Health Canada offer the best opportunity to meet the safety laws. (See www.fcm.ca)
There are always some people that think these conventions/conferences are only to drink – eat and party, the few times I have attended I still have yet to see/find where this happens.
However, I have come home with grants. Lately $13,000 federal money for Olalla water, (this grant also helped reduce Area “G” taxes) - on the negative side I have been turned down for funds/help to fix Similkameen dikes as both provincial and federal government declare the dikes as orphaned, and it is up to local government and residents to do repairs.
This year in Halifax the district pleaded the case of lack of doctors in rural areas, we know now the feds are going to do something, but what? I presented and pleaded to be able to have local radio signals CBC and also cell phone connection in Similkameen valley as well as TV in Area “G” and other rural areas. So far I have heard from CBC, when they find out where Hedley is, it is like they never heard about it.
From the UBCM conference in February I finally got the Ministry of Public Safety and the Solicitor General interested in the flooding of Keremeos Creek, as I told them this is not only a flooding but major safety and health concern, as there appears to be significant sediment aggradations within the Keremeos Creek which is causing river water to flood more frequently and also causing ponding water to persist. This water ponding has my concerns as it may cause elevated water tables to impact septic fields, producing and secondly providing fertile breeding grounds for mosquitoes.
I mentioned to them that I have been told just south of here the mosquitoes have been identified to carry West Nile virus which I fear could spread into this area if the sediment aggradations persist. Also I was worried about E-coli 0157 and Garyptosporidium as the main floodplain is occupied by cattle, feces are deposited directly into the water that flow across the floodplain into the creek and carried further south, these bacteria are fatal for humans. The lady from the safety branch told me she would have someone call me, and someone did. The Manager for Strategic Mitigation Program, Emergency Management BC.
I was awarded a grant of $25,000,signed an agreement with the Emergency Management BC Flood Protection Program to conduct an assessment of Keremeos creek north of Olalla. The contract have been awarded to Onsite Engineering Ltd. From Salmon Arm, who is to perform a high level assessment of the area. * estimate sediment source and deposition areas. * Sediment quantities involved. * Potential contamination sources. * Indicate linkages to public health issues. * Develop a plan of recommended next steps.
On Tuesday the consultant will have his first fieldtrip. My wish is to have this study done as soon as possible so I can prepare for the next step, trying to raise the funds to fix what has to be fixed before someone gets sick, and before next spring.
- Elef Christensen