Memorable year for RDOS

This will be a year we will not soon forget. Spring started out cool and wet, resulting in massive flooding with lake and creek levels at historic highs. Then, just as the flooded areas were starting to dry up, the wildfires began, destroying acres upon acres of BC’s forests forcing many residents out of their homes in the regional district and all over British Columbia.

The RDOS opened its Emergency Operations Centre at the beginning of May and the Emergency Support Services centre at the beginning of July. Both the EOC and ESS remained active until the middle of September. Despite the countless hours RDOS staff volunteered to operate these centres, the resilient and hardworking staff persevered and managed to not only meet their 2017 goals but exceed them. Here are a few highlights from this year: • Completed the Electoral Area D (Okanagan Falls/Kaleden) division initiative. • Administered the Conservation Fund. • Initiated meter-based billing in the West Bench water wystem.

• Flooding and fires resulted in 12 declarations of local emergency, 13 evacuation orders and 20 evacuation alerts.

• Completed the build and testing of the 911 telecommunications upgrade project.

• Completed the Fire Services Master Plan and seven regional district fire department audits.

• Zoe Kirk, public works project co-ordinator for the RDOS, won a Canada Wide Water Award for the innovative water conservation work and meter leak detection program.

• Heritage Canada 150: Community to Community Cottonwood restoration project received $45,000 from the federal government and in-kind donations of $8,000 from First Nations. We had great participation with various elementary schools throughout our region. A total of 1,500 Trees have been planted in 2017 (150 trees in 10 locations).

• We have commenced work on the Area F (West Bench) Official Community Plan.

• Recently adopted a new and modernized Dog Control Bylaw and Animal Control Bylaw.

• It was our busiest year ever for construction in the RDOS, with values of over $86 million to December – compared to $47 million last year. Over 450 total building permits issued this year.

• Campbell Mountain Landfill: Drainage system and leachate storage pond under construction; biocover pilot project commenced to meet gas capture compliance; entered into an amended lease agreement with the City of Penticton for Campbell Mountain Landfill.

• Keremeos landfill closure plan was finalized and submitted to the Ministry of Environment for review and approval. Grants Received: • Canadian Heritage; Canada Day grants for Kaleden and Okanagan Falls

• BC Healthy Communities Society; regional approach to recreation • UBCM Community Fire Smart • UBCM Strategic Wildfire Initiative; Penticton and Ellis creeks

• Forest Enhancement Society of BC; Penticton and Ellis creeks

• BC Recreation and Parks Association; Eco Kids Club

• Canadian Heritage - Cultural Spaces Fund; Frank Venables Auditorium

• Tree Canada – Canada 150; Naramata Manitou Park tree replacement • Naramata Museum Society • Naramata satellite fire hall • Canada Clean Water Grants for the Olalla and Naramata water systems

• Skaha Estates and Kaleden sewer expansion

Without the involvement from citizens and the hard work of the staff at the RDOS, most of the visions the electoral area directors have would not come to fruition.

Therefore, on behalf of the board of directors, I would like to give a big thankyou to our citizens for continuing to provide feedback and to the RDOS staff for making 2017 another successful year.

Thank you and have a wonderful holiday season and the happiest of new years!

Karla Kozakevich is chairwoman of the Regional District of OkanaganSimilkameen. This column usually appears every other Monday in The Herald.