As 2024 draws to a close, we reflect on all that has been achieved with the year in review and look forward to what lies ahead.
Our region is incredibly dynamic and our rural communities are thriving thanks to the tremendous efforts of all the volunteers who step up to support one another and their friends and neighbours. We were honoured to celebrate our 2024 Electoral Area Volunteers throughout the past few months: Terry Horton (Area A), Corlyn Haarstad (Area B), Allan Watson (Area C), Marilyn Bowen (Area E), Doug Sinclair (Area F), and Penny Powers who was posthumously awarded the Area G Volunteer of the Year. We have dozens of volunteers that sit on RDEK committees, commissions, and advisory groups and we know there are hundreds of volunteers across the region who contribute to their community’s spirit through their dedication, energy, ideas, time and talents. To each and every volunteer, thank you. Our region would not be what it is without you. Volunteering can be so rewarding and we need more people to step up and get involved in their communities.
It was an honour to see so many citizens around our region recognized for their volunteerism and community service as recipients of King Charles III Coronation medals, including two of our own: Sparwood Mayor and RDEK Director David Wilks and RDEK Communications Manager Loree Duczek.
Over the past year we have experienced a number of climate extremes with the cold snap last January and temperatures of -33 to a record high temperature of 39.7 in Cranbrook in July. Once again this year, we’ve experienced damaging windstorms, heavy rain with localized flooding, drought conditions, low water levels and wildfire. In some way, each of us has been impacted by the climate in 2024 and it has again reminded me both of the incredible contribution of our emergency personnel and the importance of personal preparedness when it comes to being ready to respond to unexpected emergency events.
Our regional Emergency Management Program continues to bring together a team from around the East Kootenay all working collectively in support of the residents of our region. Our Program’s strong foundation of regional cooperation and relationships continues to be used as an example to others across BC and we are grateful to everyone who has been part of this regional program’s success. In addition to their dedication to protecting our communities, several RDEK firefighters deployed this summer to assist with protecting homes in other parts of BC.
We remain deeply grateful to all of our RDEK firefighters for your dedication and incredible service. The East Kootenay FireSmart Program had another dynamic year with over 2200 residents reached, and 37 neighbourhoods certified. We commend everyone who is working to make their homes, properties and neighbourhoods more resilient to wildfire.
Following our spring recruitment drive and another busy wildfire season, our Regional Emergency Notification System saw tremendous uptake this again this year, with more than 23,500 residents now registered. This tool enables us to notify residents in the event of an evacuation alert or order affecting their property in under 2 minutes. The System is available to all residents in the East Kootenay including rural properties, municipalities and First Nations. If you have not yet registered, please do. You can learn more or sign up on www.rdek.bc.ca.
The building team has been kept busy with over 335 building permits issued and 119 dwellings created in the rural areas of the RDEK as of November 1. Elsewhere, the Cold Spring Creek Debris Flow Mitigation Project in Fairmont is nearing final completion; new Short-Term Rental policy has been implemented and additional tools are being implemented to increase compliance; the draft Climate Action Plan is in the review process; work is progressing on a new Accessibility Plan; and, the Elk Valley Official Community Plan process is underway.
As we look ahead to 2025, we will celebrate the opening of the Radium Transfer Station, see a new campground opened at Wycliffe Regional Park, adopt the Columbia Valley Active Transportation Plan, see the final completion of our three organics receiving and processing facilities, and begin work on a new planning process to consider additional changes to zoning regulations related to secondary suites and accessory dwelling units. Our staff will also begin work on a modernization plan for our rural transfer station sites, and will continue to explore new options for the expansion of recycling services for residents and businesses through extended producer responsibility programs – such as Recycle BC – which pay the RDEK for every tonne of recycling collected. Our long-term goal is to move away from the Yellow Bin Program, as the RDEK has to pay for every tonne collected in the yellow bins. Not only is it incredibly expensive, but it offers less options for residents. To minimize the potential for service gaps and allow time for implementation of the transfer station modernization plan, the Board has just renewed the Yellow Bin Program contact for three years.
On the recreation side, our many parks and trails are being well used and enjoyed and the team at the Eddie Mountain Memorial Arena continues to do an excellent job of running and maintaining this important community asset.
We are continuing to navigate the impacts of changes in Provincial legislation that affect our operations including changes to the Emergency and Disaster Management Act, Short-Term Rentals regulations and regulations around building and housing.
At the Board level, we continue to focus efforts on meeting the objectives of our strategic plan, working to keep a balance between the cost of running our services and the impact on taxpayers and asset management.
As you can see, it has been another dynamic year. None of this would be possible without the ongoing dedication and professionalism of our RDEK staff, who day in and day out, work to provide the best possible service to the residents of our region. We are profoundly grateful for their efforts and the positive impact their work has on our region.
As we get ready to start a new chapter in 2025, I encourage everyone to consider adding three things to your new year’s resolutions:
1. FireSmart your home and property (visit engage.rdek.bc.ca/firesmart for tips and links to additional resources).
2. Prepare your emergency kits, have and practice a family emergency plan, and put together a grab and go kit.
3. Pay it forward. Kindness is contagious! Be kind to others, volunteer and get involved in your community.
On behalf of the Board and staff, warm wishes to you and yours through the holiday season and for a wonderful year ahead.
Sincerely, Rob Gay
RDEK Chair
