Archive for News
Learn more about the Slocan Valley Wildfire Resiliency Program and how we can work together towards creating resilient, wildfire adapted communities here in the Slocan Valley. Industry specialists will present on different aspects of the impact and mitigation strategies related to wildfire, on-site demos of fuel management areas and the home assessment process, and a Q&A with industry experts. All area residents are invited to attend this free event on Sunday, Sept. 29th at the Silverton Memorial Hall (203 Lake Ave) from 10:00 am – 3:00 pm.
All residents and visitors are reminded that outdoor burning is regulated within the Village of New Denver and permits are required for all outdoor fires except cooking fires. Burning permits for small fires (less than 3 feet high and 5 feet wide) to burn yard and garden debris are available at no cost from the Village Office from September 30 until November 15th. If wind and weather are keeping smoke too close to the ground and affecting your neighbours, please wait for a better day to burn.
The Idaho Peak Road is now open. For more information, go to the BC Government website: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/industry/natural-resource-use/resource-roads/local-road-safety-information/selkirk-natural-resource-district-road-safety-information or email Resources.Nelson@gov.bc.ca.
On July 25, 2019 Environment and Climate Change Strategy Minister, George Heyman, launched a province-wide, public engagement on the topic of reducing plastic waste. The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy is inviting BC residents to provide feedback on new policy opportunities and proposed amendments to the Recycling Regulation of the Environmental Management Act by September 30, 2019 to address plastic waste. To access the survey, go to www.cleanbc.ca/plastics.
Slocan Integral Forestry Cooperative (SIFCo) is delivering the Slocan Valley Wildfire Resiliency Program (SVWRP) for the Villages of New Denver, Silverton and Slocan. The first year of the program is focussed on developing a comprehensive long term strategy towards becoming more fire resilient. At the core of the program, the seven FireSmart disciplines play an active and important role in supporting the long term goal of becoming fire adapted as communities.
This summer/fall (2019), as part of our strategic planning towards becoming fire adapted communities, we are holding day long Wildfire Resiliency Open House events within the municipalities. There will be a combined event for Silverton and New Denver, and another event for Slocan area residents. The aim of these public outreach events will be to educate and inform the local community on how their efforts to improve the safety of their home/land are linked to a wider range of wildfire reduction strategies. The dates and locations of the two Open House events are Saturday, September 28 (Slocan) and Sunday, September 29 (Silverton). Please see the attached image for details.
For further information about the program please go to https://www.sifco.ca/wildfire or contact Amanda Murphy at wildfire@sifco.ca
A free workshop about electric fencing will take place on Tuesday, Sept. 10th at Knox Hall (521 6th Ave) from 7:00 -8:30pm. Come learn how to effectively protect your chickens, fruit trees, livestock, bees and crops from bears.
Municipal garbage collection takes place every Tuesday for residential properties in New Denver. Residents are reminded that solid waste must be bagged (in a manageable size and weight), tagged and placed in a garbage can before being placed curbside for collection. Please assist the Village in its efforts to remove bear, dog and crow attractants by ensuring that solid waste is placed in secure containers.
Residents of New Denver are reminded that outdoor burning is regulated within the Village of New Denver. Outdoor fires contained within a barbecue pit or fire pit having a surface area not greater than four (4) square feet; or within a manufactured gas, coal or electric barbecue are permitted unless a campfire ban is in effect. Other open burning is only permitted during designated periods and does require a free permit from the Village – the next open burning period is from September 30 to November 15. Council thanks all residents for their cooperation.
With many fruit trees ripening at this time, bears and other wildlife sightings are now a regular occurrence in and around the Village. A reminder for all of us to do our part in keeping our community safe by removing attractants (things animals like to eat) from yards, for instance:
- Do not store garbage outdoors
- Pick up fallen fruit
- Remove bird feeders or at least keep the area under the feeder clean and reduce the amount of seed you put out at a time
- Do not feed pets outdoors
- Keep barbecues clean
For more ways to reduce human-wildlife conflict, visit https://wildsafebc.com/, or contact WildSafeBC Community Coordinator Tammy White at 250-505-4393 or newdenver@wildsafebc.com. If you require assistance with picking excess fruit from your backyard trees, please contact Bree Lillies at Harvest Share – 250-354-8120.
The last month has shown an increase of wild animal sightings in and around the Village. A reminder for all of us to do our part in keeping our community safe by managing the wildlife attractants around our homes.
If you see a bear (or other wildlife species) in your area:
- Go indoors. Stay calm and do not run or taunt the animal.
- Alert your neighbours.
- Report human-wildlife conflicts to the BC Conservation Officer Service at 1-877-952-7277.
For information on attractant management please contact Tammy White, the WildSafeBC Community Coordinator for our area, by email at newdenver@wildsafebc.com or by phone at 250-505-4393.