Is there scientific evidence for pending water shortages in Greater Vernon in 2016?

Before we start a major water conservation project we should consider the scientific evidence for the need for it. As I stated earlier there are consequences of extreme water conservation: we pay more for less water as the budgetary obligation must be met.

Of course, if there is a major water shortage we must be prudent with the available water so every customer gets his/her basic needs. For that purpose Greater Vernon Water Utility developed a Drought Management Plan in 2011 with the help of a dedicated group of volunteers. The plan considers available empirical evidence before determines appropriate action. It uses a model such as the one below to decide the need for extreme conservation measures.

The current status of the Duteau Reservoir is demonstrated below:

There is no water shortage indicated  by the graph. In fact, if we observe long term empirical data relating to reservoir levels (below) we can see that in most years when the Duteau reservoir was full at the start of the irrigation season the reservoir was in good shape by the end of the season.

So, we can choose to conserve and get less water for more money, and perhaps run a deficit, or use our water judicially. We have a way oversized water system for which we had (and continue to have) to pay and we are already quite diligent in using water way below predicted volumes (an average of 53% below the predicted demands). Staff is so worried about reduced water consumption that they recommended extremely high base fees for which we get no water at all. This costs us all a lot of money without justification.

I have analyzed the water consumption of Coldstream customers for the first quarter of 2016. The average cost of 1 cubic meter of water was $4.30. Of this sum $3.10 (72%) was due to base fees. I am reasonably sure that if we also included Vernon customers this rate would be lower due to lower Industrial, Commercial and Institutional (ICI) rates.

This could be improved significantly if all domestic customers (including customers)  paid the same rates. However, the majority of RDNO Directors oppose the elimination of subsidized rates for ICI customers. They need your opinion on the issue so they could be pressured to represent your interests. If you disagree with ICI subsidies email, phone or write to your political representative and tell them how you feel.

You may decide to conserve water on principle and it is your prerogative. But that conserved water will not stay here: it will continue its travel to the sea and come back next year via air mail!

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Selected Morning Star Newsclips - In case you missed them.

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Water Wise Program Launched

Posted on 5/11/2016 4:46 PM by Pete McIntyre

The warm weather has arrived early in the Okanagan  -- which has led to concerns there could be another drought this summer.

Eleven valley mayors or councillors took part in a news conference in Kelowna to launch the annual "Make Water Work" campaign.

It's a program put on by the Okanagan Basin Water Board.

Acting Vernon mayor Juliette Cunningham says water metering and restrictions have helped reduce water use in recent years -- but more can be done.

"24 percent of domestic water is used for outside landscaping, and we know we're in a dry climate, and we believe there is lots of room to move to less consumption," Cunningham tells Kiss FM.

Cunningham says there is a number of things residents can do to reduce water use in their yards.

"If you do have grass, you can leave it longer and not cutting it as frequently, and when you do water, you water it enough so that the water goes right down to encourage strong root growth," says the city councillor.

In addition to mayors taking and issuing challenges at today’s event, OBWB’s Communications Director Corinne Jackson announced the expansion of the Make Water Work Plant Collection, just in time for spring gardening.

“This year the collection has been expanded to include 54 plants, including beautiful grasses, perennials, shrubs and trees, perfect for the dry Okanagan climate,” says Jackson. “As well, two new garden centres have joined the program, bringing the total to nine, ensuring nearly all Okanagan residents can walk into a garden centre in their community and find the Make Water Work collection, making it easier than ever to find WaterWise choices for their yard.”

People who take the challenge and pledge to Make Water Work will be entered to win several prizes including a Grand Prize of a WaterWise yard upgrade worth $6,000, thanks to contest partners KelownaGardens.com, ProSource Irrigation, Bylands and, Eco Turf Farms.

Residents can take the challenge, find the Make Water Work Plant Collection and water restrictions for their community, by visiting www.MakeWaterWork.ca

Those joining Cunningham in taking the challenge today included: West Kelowna mayor and OBWB chair Doug Findlater, Armstrong Mayor Chris Pieper, Acting Mayor for Lake Country Rob Geier, City of Kelowna Deputy Mayor Gail Given, Peachland Mayor Cindy Fortin, Summerland Acting Mayor Toni Boot, Penticton Mayor Andrew Jakubeit, Oliver Mayor Ron Hovanes and Osoyoos Deputy Mayor CJ Rhodes.

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It is so simple: don't use any water and we'll save all the water to run its course down to the sea! However, what about the $19 million budget? We need means to pay for it. We must cover it by water rates. 

If we use less water we must increase water rates. It's a vicious circle. If we had a truly user pay system saving water could benefit customers. Unfortunately, under the current rate system saving water does not save money for them it costs them more without the benefit of water. 

The current water system was designed to provide up to 9,670 ML/year to its customers increasing to 13,360 ML/year by 2052. Current annual consumption averages just over 6,000 ML/year. Customers are not abusing the system and should only be encouraged to reduce consumption when there are actual water shortages. GVWU staff justified high base fees on the basis of reduced consumption due to high rates. Further reduction will encourage staff to recommend even higher base fees which counters our stated policy of a user pay cost recovery. If we cannot provide the water need in 2016 what will happen in 2052 when the projected water demand will increase to 13,360?

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Selected Morning Star Newsclips - In case you missed them.

 

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Selected Morning Star Newsclips - In case you missed them.

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PRELIM of 2016 comparison Coldstream vs Vernon residential calculator

Vernon Councillor Bob Spears posted a comparative tax calculator for the City of Vernon and the District of Coldstream. You can access it by clicking on the link below. Thanks Bob!

This  calculator below  is an illustration of the the comparative tax rates between Coldstream and Vernon for your property assessments for land and Improvements. Find out what you would pay in Coldstream if you lived in Vernon and Vice versa.

PRELIM of 2016  comparison Coldstream vs Vernon residential calculator
 
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/14JHxQ3709MWkQLq9Z0gZe4ljqA1X-8CkqZ0excSlVEo/edit#gid=0

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Selected Morning Star Newsclips - In case you missed them.

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Fort McMurray relief donations hit $30M

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced the federal government will match individual donations made to the Canadian Red Cross to help those affected by the raging wildfire in Fort McMurray, Alta., as federal leaders set their partisan differences aside to express their support for Albertans in the House of Commons. 

The continuing disaster forced Alberta to call a state of emergency on Wednesday after more than 88,000 people were forced out of their homes in and around Fort McMurray, sending evacuees to surrounding communities for shelter. read more

Anyone wishing to donate can do it

  here

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KISS FM Question of the day.

KISS FM is polling the general public about their opinion on the Master Water Plan. you may participate in the poll by clicking on the link below. The question is:

"Do you agree with the Greater Vernon master water plan review recommending the current system remains the way it is?"

KISS FM question of the day.

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Review Supports Current Water Plan

Posted on 5/5/2016 3:00 PM by Pete McIntyre

 

A review of Greater Vernon's master water plan has reaffirmed the current direction.

An 18 member stakeholders advisory committee (SAC) made up of a cross section of water users, held 11 meetings since last fall, to review technical information and options.

SAC Committee chairperson Jim Garlick says the main conclusion is the current system with two water sources and two treatment facilities, is the best option.

"Rather than going to one source, and saying Kal Lake, Duteau Creek or Okanagan Lake be our sole source alone, and one treatment plant, the idea is to have redundancy, That that is important to the plan."

Coldstream councillor Gyula Kiss -- who supported using Duteau Creek just for farming water -- felt the committee eliminated any chance of opposing views.

"First of all, they wouldn't allow me to get on the committee, and in order to get intelligent questions, one has to have an idea of what's in the plan. Any input from an opposing view was totally eliminated. We had a bunch of people that were only indoctrinated by staff and the consultants," Kiss tells Kiss FM.

Garlick, who is Coldstream's mayor,  says trying to avoid that perception was a major focus.

"Efforts were made to say, 'Here's the information, take it for your own consideration, and come up with your own conclusions,'" says Garlick. 

The advisory panel will be making 16 recommendations to the Greater Vernon Advisory Committee.

Garlick says one change could be in the way future water projects are paid for.

"Looking at our reserves, looking at how much we're taking in at the rates we have now, and what we'll be able to do with that. The good thing about the process is we've had a chance to look at it in more detail, rather than, here's a plan, let's borrow a bunch of money in order to start it."

Garlick says projects could be undertaken in smaller amounts, then be reassessed, followed by more projects as needed.

The SAC will hold its final meeting May 19.

The review was sparked after Greater Vernon voters rejected a $70 million referendum for six water projects in 2014

 

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Selected Morning Star Newsclips - In case you missed them.

Councillor Spiers prepared a preliminary comparative tax calculator for Vernon and Coldstream. The calculator can be accessed here.

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CBC's Interview with Ms Bond - re: Amphitheatre.

For people who missed the CBC Interview with Ms Bond regarding the Amphitheatre in Coldstream can be accessed here.

Your comments will be published provided they are not derogatory!

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Readers write - Argument for amphitheatre not convincing

Ms. Bond's defence of the proposed Amphitheatre in an interview with Chris Walker of CBC's, Daybreak South, this morning, was less than convincing. 

Her argument that the site is a "bowl" and therefore, the sound will be contained, is illogical: it is open to the East. "Amphi", means "both sides" or "two sides", in this case, literally and figuratively. Anyone 

with local knowledge knows that sounds that emerge from the west travel up the Valley.
 

Ms. Bond states that the foot-print will be light, and fails to take into consideration the integrity of the eco-system that exists.
 

Her suggestion that my tax dollars be used to find a location for this project in Coldstream offends me. The host, Mr. Walker, asked why other locations such as Penticton, are not under consideration, to which she answered that there is not much public land on which to build. Has she contacted our First Nations? They are excellent community partners as noted in Osoyoos.

 Katy Vella Pace
Coldstream, BC

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Here is the link to the on-line petition

On-line petition requesting a new site for the Amphitheater

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Opposition amps up for amphitheatre

• by  Jennifer Smith - Vernon Morning Star
• posted Apr 26, 2016 at 11:00 AM

Just like the noise they fear will echo through their neighbourhoods, close to 100 Coldstream residents
were loud and clear on their message about a proposed amphitheatre.

They don’t want it in their backyard.

And Coldstream council agrees, to some extent.

The concerned residents oppose an amphitheatre at Okanagan College and they have collected close to 700 signatures in a petition against the proposal.

“The plan will completely transform Coldstream and the north end of Kalamalka Lake,” spokesperson Patricia Andrews told Coldstream council Monday evening. “The negative impacts of such a giant amphitheatre would be huge.”

The Okanagan Summer Festival Society is proposing to construct an open air amphitheatre in the gully next to OC. Initial concepts show the Kalamalka Bowl would seat up to 1,500 plus additional grass seating for a total of 5,500.

While no formal applications have been made, the society recently made a presentation on its plans to Coldstream, which has also now heard from concerned residents.

“We’ve heard both sides and based on the community’s feedback I cannot see how this process going forward is going to end well,” said Coun. Richard Enns, who says he will not support an application of this magnitude.

Therefore Coldstream will be sending a letter to the society, OC board, MLA and Ministry of Education stating its opposition to the amphitheatre as proposed.

“We can say what we don’t want,” said Coun. Doug Dirk. “We don’t want rock concerts there, we don’t want issues with traffic, we don’t want issues with noise.”

Similar sentiments were shared by the majority of council.

“I don’t think it’s a proper location,” said Coun. Peter McClean. “Save your time and find another location.”

Living across the lake, and knowing how sound travels, Coun. Gyula Kiss says he is not in favour of the proposal.

It’s also not entirely clear if Coldstream even has the ability to deny an application if and when it is submitted because the construction is on provincial land.

“We don’t have the ability to regulate a senior level of government,” said Mike Reiley, Coldstream’s director of development services.

Diane Bond, society managing director, says Coldstream’s concerns aren’t new and the society will be performing a noise impact assessment, traffic study and will continue discussions with Coldstream.

“The issues that have been raised by neighbours, all of that will be part of the discussion,” said Bond, who has plans for the district to meet with the architect in May. “We know these are issues that need to be addressed.”

The concerns may affect some of the specifications, but in the end the Kalamalka Bowl needs to be sustainable.

“The design is a preliminary design, we can change it,” said Bond, who says she feels like a broken record.

In response to the suggestion of finding a different location, Bond says all potential sites have already been investigated. One was the bluffs in West Kelowna, but the Westbank First Nations was not interested as they have alternate plans for the land.

“I think I would recognize a better solution if it came along, but it hasn’t come along.”

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Amphitheatre Drawing Opposition from Council

Posted on 4/26/2016 10:58 AM by Ron Manz - KISS FM

It would appear Coldstream residents opposed to a 55-hundred seat outdoor amphitheatre next to Okanagan College are not alone.

Their presentation to Coldstream politicians Monday night met with much agreement from council.

Fears over noise issues, drainage, parking and environmental concerns were all echoed by council according to Mayor Jim Garlick.

"I think there are a lot of hurdles for it to get through before it will be in front of Coldstream council, and if it makes it that far.  There are significant challenges surrounding this draining and sewer in the area, to getting funding for it."

Coldstream council has sent off a letter to Okanagan College and the Education Ministry basically opposing the concept.

"The proposal we have on the table right now for this amphitheater as the way it sits scaled to 55-hundred people and the issues around it, the location, we are just not in favour of it as proposed."

Garlick says it would have to be built using grant funding and that requires the District's support, but right now Coldstream has other arts priorities.

"What we have on the table for Arts & Culture is a museum and art gallery, so those are going to take a lot of work to get done.  Then we also have, looking at grants that will come to us for infrastructure, we have a master water plan we want to get working on.  They will take priority and I don't see this amphitheatre jumping the queue to get ahead of them."

Garlick says the whole concept is so early in development they haven't even made any applications for building permits or anything else for that matter at this point.

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Coldstream Council Meeting, April 25, 2016

 

Highlights: 

          Presentation by "No Amphitheater Group"

          Rescind second reading of OCP and schedule new Public Hearings

          Adoption of 2016 Financial Plan

          Tax rate Bylaw

          Parks Master Plan        

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Let's protect the bees!

If you think bees are important for our fruit growing community please take steps to join efforts to protect the bee population!

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Readers write re: Amphitheatre.

Re: proposed outdoor amphitheatre:  

After many a gruelling trip to the heart of the Big Smoke, south of us, I have breathed a deep sigh of relief as I turn off the highway to savour the stunningly beautiful, natural gateway to my peaceful community: Coldstream. The ravine ecosystem is a pocket treasure, that is intrinsic to that viewscape. The proposed project is absolutely incompatible with the diversity of rural values we enjoy.

Katy Vella Pace

Coldstream, BC.

cc. Editor Morning Star

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Employment opportunity

Click on image for further details!

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Readers write - presentation to Coldstream Council

Hello everyone,

Please make time to attend the Coldstream Council Meeting on MONDAY, APRIL 25 at 6 PM at the Coldstream Municipal Offices on Kal Lake Rd. where we are doing a Powerpoint presentation about our concerns regarding the OSFS's proposed amphitheatre

in the gully in front of Okanagan College. Pat Andrews is doing the talking for the PPT. We will be first to go at 6 PM sharp for 10 minutes followed by comments and questions from the council members. It should take no more than 1/2 hour. 

It is extremely important that we have huge support in terms of numbers and passionate opposition, so please plan to attend. 

We will be adding up the number of signatures on the petitions  this weekend so please get your numbers to me by tomorrow. You can either drop off your sheets to 9085 College Dr. or give them to me (Joan) at the meeting. 

The tide is turning vs the OSFS, but we need to make sure we do NOT let up the pressure. 

If you need them, there are extra copies of the blank petition forms and flyers at the front desk at Kal Fitness on the clip board. 

Thanks for all you have done to help our cause. We must get this thing stopped once and for all,

Connie, Joan, et al. 

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Job opportunity - Okanagan Basin Water Board

For further information please click on above document!

Ambitious fundraising campaign pitched for realization of Okanagan rail trail

By Charlotte Helston
InfoNews

VERNON - Greater Vernon politicians have been told it will take a community to build the legacy of a 50 kilometre rail trail from Coldstream to Kelowna — and it’s no overstatement.

Those working on the trail, which will follow the old CN Railroad, have proposed an ambitious fundraising campaign for the $7.68 million required to build the path, plus roughly $100,000 in administrative fees for handling donations. The current plan is to pay for the construction of the trail without using tax dollars. Roughly $1.2 million is being sought through grants.

Brad Clements, with the Okanagan Rail Trail non-profit organization, told the Greater Vernon Advisory Committee today, April 18, "it takes a community to build a legacy."

“We believe we can do it by inspiring all of the community,” Clements said.

The team will be looking to businesses, clubs and organizations to help champion the trail. Donations will be handled by the Community Foundation of the North Okanagan and the Central Okanagan Foundation.

“The key to raising the $7.86 million is that the entire community embraces this,” Clements said. “That we have champions in every community out creating excitement around the trail. That we have campaign partners hosting events, and raising awareness, and that we talk to our neighbours and our neighbour’s neighbours.”

Clements says 30,000 donations of $225 a piece would be needed to accomplish the fundraising target. Depending on participation, Clements believes it’s possible to meet the goal in two years.

Details about the construction timeline and overall look of the trail were also presented at Monday’s meeting. Andrew Gibbs with the Inter-Jurisdictional Team, which represents the municipalities of Kelowna, Lake Country and the North Okanagan, said the goal is to open the trail up for public use as early as possible. That will mean focussing on basic trail functionality items first, and integrating things like public washrooms and interpretive facilities in the future. At the outset, the trail would feature crushed and compacted gravel with the possibility of paving it in the future. Planners are also proposing to widen the path to 4.6 metres to accommodate various users travelling in opposite directions.

The plan is to build the trail all at once, rather than in pieces, once the funding is in place, Gibbs said. That will help minimize the risk of ending up with incomplete sections if funding dries up, resulting in some communities having finished sections of trail and others lacking.

Committee member Mike Macnabb expressed some skepticism about the fundraising campaign, stating he thinks it could take years to come up with the cash.

“My concern was how quickly we can get to that point? Because if it’s going to be raised by public donations, it may take a long time to get there,” he said.

Having purchased the trail alongside other municipalities, Macnabb says the regional district has an obligation to see the plan through.

“At what point are we, as local government, responsible to pick up the shortfall?” he said.

Rail trail planners are meeting with other jurisdictions today, and say as soon as they have approval from all local governments, they will launch the fundraising campaign and begin accepting donations.

Committee chair Juliette Cunningham applauded the Rail Trail group for taking on the fundraising campaign.

“I just think it’s incredible. So, we have to do whatever we can to work with you — that’s a lot of free labour to raise a lot of money,” Cunningham said of the volunteer-run group.

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Here is a partial list of current and pending projects in Greater Vernon (in addition to the Rail Trail):
          New Ice Rink;
          New Museum;
          New Art Gallery;
          Master Water Plan;
          Amphitheater, and the recently completed but currently being paid for
          Athletic field.

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Kelowna's updated water restrictions

Click on above image to view full document.

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City of Kelowna responds!

 Read more

Note that the Mayor of Kelowna does not want to have domestic water used for agricultural irrigation. He wants to have all Kelowna residents to receive city water for their domestic consumption. Kelowna uses Okanagan Lake for their domestic supply and to date Kelowna does not need filtration!

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Prime Minister Resigns - The first victim of Panama Papers

Words by

Paul Fontaine

@pauldfontaine

Published April 5, 2016

Sigmundur Davíð Gunnlaugsson will resign as Prime Minister of Iceland.

Minister of Agriculture and Fishing Sigurður Ingi Jóhannsson told RÚV just moments ago that Sigmundur has resigned as the Prime Minister. This move still needs the approval of the Independence Party, and the President, before being official.

Sigmundur will remain on as chairperson of the Progressive Party, and Sigurður Ingi will take his place as Prime Minister. Sigurður said that they want to continue their partnership with the Independence Party, and do not recommend early elections at this time.

However, Independence Party chairperson Bjarni Benediktsson is currently meeting the President Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson to discuss the current situation.

Sigurður has publicly defended the Prime Minister since the Panama Papers story broke, going so far as to defend the use of offshore accounts by saying, “It is complicated to have money in Iceland.”

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Panama papers' huge fallout

The Canadian Press - 
Apr 5, 2016 / 6:45 am

Governments around the world tried Tuesday to contain the fallout from the publication of thousands of names of rich and powerful people who conducted offshore financial activity through a Panamanian law firm.
China dismissed as "groundless" reports that relatives of current and retired politicians, including President Xi Jinping, own offshore companies.
The state media are ignoring the reports, and search results for the words "Panama documents" have been blocked on websites and social media.
Iceland's prime minister has vowed to not resign despite thousands of angry protesters demanded he step down and call new elections. The leaks showed possible links to an offshore company that could represent a serious conflict of interest.
And Ukraine's president was accused of abusing his office and of tax evasion by moving his candy business offshore, possibly depriving the country of millions of dollars in taxes.
The reports are from a global group of news organizations working with the Washington-based International Consortium of Investigative Journalists. They have been processing the legal records from the Mossack Fonseca law firm that were first leaked to the German Sueddeutsche Zeitung newspaper.
Shell companies aren't by themselves illegal. People or companies might use them to reduce their tax bill legally, by benefiting from low tax rates in countries like Panama, the Cayman Islands and Bermuda. But the practice is frowned upon, particularly when used by politicians, who then face criticism for not contributing to their own countries' economies.
Because offshore accounts and companies also hide the names of the ultimate owners of investments, they can be used to illegally evade taxes or launder money.
Mossack Fonseca says it obeys all laws relating to company registrations and does not advise people how to evade or legally avoid taxes.
The firm said in a statement that "our industry is not particularly well understood by the public, and unfortunately this series of articles will only serve to deepen that confusion.
"The facts are these: while we may have been the victim of a data breach, nothing in this illegally obtained cache of documents suggests we've done anything wrong or illegal, and that's very much in keeping with the global reputation we've worked hard to build over the past 40 years of doing business the right way. "
Members of the Group of 20 — which includes China — have agreed on paper to tighten laws relating to shell companies and make sure authorities can find out who the real owners are. Actual legislation at the national level has lagged behind the promises, however.
The appearance of offshore accounts in political scandals is far from new. Shell companies played a role in the Petrobras scandal in Brazil, in which bribes were allegedly funneled to politician's accounts from executives at the oil company and from construction companies. The U.S. Justice Department said in an indictment last year that offshore accounts were used to mask the transfer of bribes to officials at FIFA, the global soccer federation.
China's Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said he would not discuss the reports further and declined to say whether the individuals named would be investigated.
"For these groundless accusations, I have no comment," Hong told reporters at a regularly scheduled news conference.
Sueddeutsche Zeitung, working with NDR and WDR public television, reported Monday that 14 German banks had used Mossack Fonseca's services to set up 1,200 letterbox companies for clients.
The report said use of offshore company registrations had spiked after the European Union introduced regulations in 2005 requiring countries to exchange tax information on physical persons, but not for companies. Many of the accounts, however, have since been closed.
The EU has since tightened its rules on offshore companies under its Fourth Anti-Money Laundering Directive, which is being phased in as national governments pass local laws to comply by June 26, 2017. The new rules tighten requirements for companies to keep accurate information on their real owners and to make that available to authorities.

 The rich get richer - and cheaper!

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