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| Timeline: Golf Resort Proposal & Related Events In Chronological Order, most recent at the top | ||||||||
| Posting | Date | Description and links | ||||||
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Good
Servants/Bad Service An Examination of Records and Reports Relating to Rossland City's Drinking Watershed Reserves (1923-2002) by Will Koop of the BC Tap Water Alliance |
December 8, 2008 |
A detailed report about the history of the Rossland Watershed Reserve tenures which were established under the Land Act, but which were apparently forgotten about or accidentally overlooked by a provincial Task Force on BC's community drinking watersheds (1972-1980) in 1973. A "must" read, if only to read the executive summary. A download of the full report and the summary are available on the BCTWA website.
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Dr.
Hume's presentation to Council, text
CRD Letter to Council, rebuttal to Murdy letter, delivered during the physician's Delegation, text Katkov speech during recess (transcribed text) Video to be posted |
July 14, 2008 Council Meeting |
The DP for the golf course was approved
6-1, subject to conditions.
Further description of the meeting and what it means is to follow. |
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Email from Mayor Smith to CAO Campbell, June 17, 2008
SOURCE: we thank the Rossland Record (who obtained and published the above email) for allowing us to reprint it in full www.rosslandrecord.ca
Several Rosslanders have called for Mayor Smith to resign, see Letters Section below.
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July 14, 2008, next Council meeting
The "Development Permit" for the RMV golf course portion of the proposed development is expected to be addressed and voted on at this meeting July 14, 2008 |
Is Rossland's Mayor Smith simply efficiently moving the RMV application through the process?
Or, for example, is his statement (in the email) that "Council needs to proceed in a way that demonstrates "careful consideration" and at the same time not give away the process to a special interest group" indicative of something else?
Attend the Council meetings and make your own conclusion.
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Cohen's comments about 2-4-D, pesticides, herbicides, fungicides at the June 24 "public information session", transcribed from the video to be posted on www.youtube.com/rosslandgolf
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July 10, 2008
Rossland physicians will make a presentation to City Council on July 14, 2008
|
RMV consultant Stuart Cohen attempts to refute the health concerns contained in the physician's letter from over 30 respected Rossland physicians.
Is RMV's consultant now the City's consultant on this matter?
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Conflict of Interest Legal Opinion Letter, Peter I. Waldmann, Barrister and Solicitor
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July 9, 2008
Knox should recuse himself from the RMV vote on July 14, 2008 |
Councillor Steve Knox' conflict of interest has been discussed at length and City administration has obtained legal opinions that his voting on matters involving his employer, Red Mountain, is not in conflict. However, Peter Waldmann, the CRD lawyer (whose winning case is cited in the City's attorney's opinion), says different and with more authority.
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July 10, 2008 |
These questions and issues and many more still remain AFTER the RMV "public information session" on June 24. These were delivered to Council and RMV on or prior to July 10.
RMV President Mr. Katkov promised on June 25 "What we want to do is make sure people see those questions and the answers." To date, no listing of Q&A has been distributed.
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Cohen's attach. July 9 (also published in Trail Times on July 11)
(and see "The Topping Creek Crisis" below)
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July 10, 2008 |
RMV consultant Stuart Cohen attempts to refute the claim that the proposed RMV development would be the FIRST golf course and resort in BC located in a designated community drinking watershed.
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| Sustainability Commission and Task Forces Recommendations to Council and Application to Volunteer | BY July 16,2008 |
The City is requesting applicants for a Sustainability Commission, who would continue the implementation of the Strategic Sustainability Plan via numerous tasks. This is a critical opportunity to share your expertise, knowledge and ideas.
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"The Topping Creek Crisis", by Will Koop (short version)
"The Topping Creek Crisis", by Will Koop (full version)
The report is significant in its documentation of at least 2 important facts: 1) that our watershed is a "Watershed Reserve" and therefore has the protections afforded to such reserves 2) that there is historical precedent in Rossland denying development in this watershed area.
Will's reports are posted on his website: www.alternatives.com/bctwa and are made available here directly simply for ease of access.
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July 9, 2008 |
Will Koop, founder of the BC Tap Water Alliance and advocate for the protection of raw sources of community drinking water, has issued a detailed report on the "Topping Creek Crisis".
Will reviewed archived documents and news, interviewed Rosslanders, attended Council meetings and the June 24 "public information" session in Rossland.
Will should be thanked by the entire community for voluntarily compiling this important historical document in this time of controversy and need to make decisions based on all the facts and knowledge of the history. While it is clearly a biased report, it is a comprehensive report of archived historical information and fact that cannot be ignored.
NOTE: The report is labeled "preliminary" in part because archived documents continue to be uncovered which further support Will's conclusions.
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Hear Will
Koop, Shannon Plamondon's Mom's March Protest, Howard Katkov, Lesley
Beatson on Mtn FM
Hear Will Koop refer to the "shenanigans in the Topping Creek Watershed Reserve" and hear him discuss this "first development of its kind in BC in a watershed", which the consultants were unable to contest. Hear Kathy Moore interviewed by CBC Hear Bob Bechaud interviewed on all the issues by Mark Forsythe, CBC's BC Almanac
|
June 19-25, 2008 |
Will Koop, founder of the BC Tap Water
Alliance, says this development will inherit a dubious title in
Canada as the "first ever development proposal of a golf course
& residential development in an active community watershed" .
Mr. Katkov promises to find a way to make all those (500) questions public so everyone sees all the questions and the answers. MEANTIME, THE DEVELOPMENT APPLICATION FOR THE GOLF COURSE DEVELOPMENT IS SCHEDULED FOR COUNCIL APPROVAL ON JULY 14.
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Video on You Tube of:
questions at "public consultation" or "public information session"
Mom's march in protest of the golf course in the community watershed, about 50 people attended
"Consultants aren't always right"
"Is there mitigation? YES!"
|
June 24, 2008 |
Over 500 questions were posed during the afternoon public consultation session attended by about 90 people. At most, 10% of these questions were addressed and not to the participants' satisfaction.
The evening session was attended by about 200 people, and many questions were not even accepted by the development team. In the video you can see a participant who simply walked to the microphone and began to ask his question without recognition from the moderator. In other video you see City staffs' interesting gestures after a participants' comments. Questions that were accepted were inaccurately rephrased by the facilitator and answers were incomplete, inaccurate, contradictory to the application.
Some clips are from the Council meeting of the previous night.
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Video on You Tube
"No Written Agreements" "Application Inconsistencies" "Engineer Recommends wait on hydrology" "Taxpayer questions still aren't answered" "Figures, fiction, facts" "Engineer recommends wait for hydrology report" "RMV Application Inconsistencies" |
June 23, 2008 |
City council meeting clips
City Administration agrees to pay an undisclosed amount to peer review consultants without written agreement with the consultants nor any written agreement with RMV to reimburse the City Councillor Charlton asks (1) why the application can be accepted in the name of RMV, who is not a landowner of the subject property and (2) how a development permit can be issued for the golf course (alone) if the course is partially located in MA-1, which does not include golf course as a permitted use.
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Groundwater/Social, Andy Stradling
|
June 19, 2008 |
An "Open Discussion Meeting", hosted by Citizens for Responsible Development and MC'd by Kathy Moore was attended by over 100 people who listened to various presentations, asked questions and discussed the issues. Bios for each of the speakers were presented. |
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|
"McCall
Course opens today after mammoth effort", article
discussing challenges of a typical mountain golf course, May 29,
2008
"A fresh look at fungicides for snow mold control"July, 2007, Golf Course Management Magazine (Environmental Institute for Golf funded research) "Golf Course Superintendents face higher cancer rates", 1996
"Prostate Cancer Risk Doubles in Pesticide Applicators", 1999
|
Various |
Snow mold occurs on snowy mountain courses and is treated with fungicides. Standing water from snowmelt creates mosquitoes and requires the use of chemical agents to fight the bugs. Fertilizers and water are used to keep the courses green. Ground and surface water contamination from the use of these chemicals is not 100% preventable.
The RMV proposed golf resort, commercial and residential development is located in the community watershed, which is addressed in the Strategic Sustainability Plan which says " protect the watersheds in perpetuity from development, logging, mining, and any other intrusive use that would impact the integrity of the water supply".
Golf Course "Waste Management & Pollution Prevention Guide", a guide for golf courses which describes the variety of toxic substances that can spill, leak and otherwise cause challenges to a golf course's waste management policies.
A Global Perspective on the Environmental Impact of Golf , economic vs environmental issues surrounding golf resorts.
Audubon International's Environmental Services, environmental services to members of Audubon International’s Programs.
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RMV Application to City of Rossland, dated April 15, 2008
|
June 13, 2008 |
Delivered to the City of Rossland on about April 15, the RMV development application was released to the public on June 10 in CD format only, ($3/CD), available at City Hall.
The City has experienced technical difficulty in uploading these digital files to its website. So, a community member has voluntarily and graciously created a download which is here at this link. After downloading this large file, you will need to get 2 free programs to 1) burn a CD from the download (an ISO file) and then 2) be able to print sections of the application. Links to these 2 FREE downloads are below: Active ISO Burner 1.1 to burn an ISO file to CD; then transfer the files to your computer. Brava Reader 3.0 to print the files (open the RMV app from this software, then proceed to print)
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|
"Editor vows she'll head to jail before revealing source of leak"
|
June 12, The Province |
The Province reports about the Rossland Mayor and CAO who called in the RCMP to investigate the Council to determine who leaked a confidential legal opinion to local news editor Mela Pyper. The article also reports on the community opposition to the proposed RMV golf resort.
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|
The Buzz: "Hey there's some money to be made here"
|
Spring Edition, Ski Canada |
Ski Canada reports on BUZZ in the Kootenays, reporting about Rosslanders' "trepidations" regarding enterpreneur Howard Katkov's money making " personal business experiment" at Red and how the sale of real estate is coming a long time prior to any lift upgrades.
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"Annika Sorenstam's Golf Project Meeting Resistance"
|
June 9, 2008, BC Golf News |
This BC's Authoritative Golf News Source discusses the Rossland community's opposition to the proposal RMV golf resort, commercial and residential development.
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June 9, 2008, by Bill Micklethwaite P. Eng |
Months of studying water flow correlations, a variety of studies by consultants and City Engineers, Bill has compiled a factual, footnoted analysis of Rossland's Water Resources, which is a must read - at least read the executive summary and conclusions. We greatly appreciate Bill's efforts and the critical information he shares.
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|
June 7, 2008, NY Times |
Does this have any relevance locally? |
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|
Living Water Smart Book, see pg 71 of the book (not pg 71 of the pdf) for referenced position on source water protection |
June 3, 2008, Ministry of the Environment announces "Living Water Smart: BC's Water Plan"
|
"Government Position: Government will improve the quality and protection of drinking water sources" on page 71.
Will Koop, BC Tap Water Alliance, interview with CBC Radio on June 4 discusses the importance of raw water source protection. www.alternatives.com/bctwa
|
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"I
rise to present a petition from 960 residents of Rossland
|
May 28, 2008, MLA Katrine Conroy |
May 28, 2008 Legislative Assembly transcript describing MLA Katrine Conroy's presentation of our second petition against the golf resort development which included 560 signatures collected in 18 days. See first petition of 935 signatures presented to City Council on Feb 25.
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May 27 CRD letter to OIPC Commissioner
May 1 Response from City and its Attachment
April 18 Requests to City:
|
May 27, 2008, CRD |
CRD was forced to request assistance from the Commissioner for Freedom of Information because the City has continued to refuse to make public the golf resort application delivered by RMV on April 18. 2008.
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|
CBT Water Symposium at Selkirk College (notes)
|
May 21, 22, 2008, CBT at Selkirk College |
CBT sponsored a 2 day symposium to establish a CBT Watershed Network, the objective of the network being to strengthen community's knowledge about water issues in the Columbia Basin. CRD and FORR representatives attended and established many helpful contacts within the network.
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"The Great Water Giveaway" and "Dumb Mistakes", by Rosa Jordan
|
May 15, 2008 May 17, 2008 by Rosa Jordan |
Local author Rosa Jordan wrote these 2 articles and distributed them to all Rossland PO Boxholders. The stories are meant to inspire stakeholders to speak up, in writing, in person and by speaking out about local water issues and more.
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"City Nominated for the Code of Silence Award", excerpt from article |
May 16, 2008, Rossland Record |
Historically, even Councillors have been required to utilize the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act to gain access to City files and information, thus the nomination.
See full article at www.rosslandrecord.ca
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Letter from Psyche Brown, Manager, Major Projects, Ministry of Sports, Arts and Tourism
|
May 15, 2008 |
Acknowledgment of receipt of petition from Rossland's 935 concerned people. See petition info below. "I encourage your continued involvement in this process. The most effective way to communicate your concerns is to ask specific questions and to provide specific information."
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Pictures of the settlement pond repair work (to be posted) |
May 14, 2008, settlement pond failure noticed
|
Mark Martin, Red's project manager, discovered the failure of the detention pond and resultant premature discharge of water into Slalom Creek. Perhaps, if monitoring had been more timely, the leak into the creek may have been noticed more quickly (the pond was not full and it should have been full this time of year).
Red was fined a year ago for similar pond failures.
A temporary Rossland-based crew was hired to repair the outlet. Issues remain because the pond was built too small, as evidenced by its being nearly full to overflowing as of May 18, 2008.
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City Council prioritizes actions in the Strategic Sustainability Plan |
May 13, 2008, Special Council Meeting
|
Based on numerous citizen input via letters, emails, and comment cards at the V2A meeting, Council prioritized these 4 focus areas: water, land use, affordable housing and economic development. See letters section below.
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"Golf resort Roundup", by Peter Severinson
"Building a Dream", by Robert Thompson |
May 1, 2008, BC Business Magazine |
Article describing the overbuilding of new golf resorts opening this year in BC and the importance of the real estate component to the financial feasibility of Richard Zokol's new course, Sagebrush Golf, near Merritt.
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City Hall Newsletter: Taxes, 5 Year Financial Plan
Rossland City Finance reports and contacts
"Taxes, utilities rise almost 15% on average home", Rossland Record
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May, 2008
May 2, 2008 |
Rossland taxes are rising and this newsletter describes the increases and other financial matters from the City's point of view. See letters section below, Councillor Charlton's response to City newsletter misleading facts.
See full article on www.rosslandrecord.ca
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Rossland Water 101, by Bill Micklethwaite
"Digging for the facts about Rossland Water", Rossland Record
"Water treatment plant won't filter out chemicals", Rossland Record
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May 6, 2008, presented by CRD at the Miner's Hall
May 9, 2008, Rossland Record |
Engineer Bill Micklethwaite created this excellent presentation about Rossland's water supply in the Miner's Hall to about 70 people.
See www.rosslandrecord.ca archives for full articles. |
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CRD's comments on the DRAFT OCP:
City Council meeting notes 050508
City Council meeting notes 051208
|
May 4, 2008
May 5, 2008, Special Council Meeting
May 12, 2008, Special Council Meeting |
CRD's review of the DRAFT OCP identified several areas of concern in the proposed DRAFT OCP being reviewed by Council. See other OCP letters and April 28 OCP links below.
Special Council Meeting to consider the DRAFT OCP
Special Council Meeting to consider the DRAFT OCP |
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"Resorting to Madness: Taking Back Our Mountain Communities"
Notes on discussion moderated by Chris Pistner 050208
|
May 2, 2008, hosted by CRD at the Miner's Hall
Moderator: Chris Pistner |
This movie addresses the impacts of the modern ski resort industry on mountain communities and environments. About 150 people attended this event at the Miner's Hall to see the movie and discuss Rossland's current heavy emphasis on resort tourism development.
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Requests to the City to view relevant sections of the recently submitted Golf Resort Proposal :
-8 volumes received on or about April 18, 2008
-2 volumes received on or about April 1-28, 2008
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April 28, 2008, letters submitted to City |
A memo from Planner Mike Maturo (in the April 28 Council agenda packet) states that "...there have been requests by individuals for the documentation to be released. However, it would be inappropriate for staff to release the submission prior to a review and a submission of a report to council....." |
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April 28, 2008 |
DRAFT OCP presented to Rossland Council at Planning & Development Committee Meeting |
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CRD's Strategic Sustainability Plan Prioritization
Community Comment & Meeting Notes
|
April 24, 2008, Visions to Action meeting, Prestige Inn, 7pm |
Summarizes our top 10 priorities for implementation of the Strategic Sustainability Plan and reasoning.
Water planning and management should be of critical priority, then the 3 focus areas prioritized by Council: Community Economic Development, Land Management, Housing and Affordability.
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"City plans to fast-track OCP", Rossland Record |
April 18, 2008, Rossland Record |
The proposal for a golf resort in the community watershed was received by City staff on April 18 and the revised OCP will be presented first to Council April 28.
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"Mr. Katkov Builds the anti-Whistler"
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April, 2008, Globe & Mail and Vancouver Sun Articles |
Publicity for the proposed golf course, which is opposed by 935 people in the community (see below). |
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"Residents want water supply evaluated: reliable estimates lacking for development in Rossland", Trail Daily Times
|
April 16, 2008, by Ray Masleck |
Quotes from the article:
"Rossland should plan for the future of its water supply before any more major developments are approved, a citizens' group told city council Monday."
"There are no reliable estimates of Rossland's future water needs". "There are no reliable estimates of Rossland watershed capacity. There is a complete absence of data to support any decision committing water capacity to new development." (quoting Bob Bechaud)
"...the golf course would remove an estimated 40% of the flow from the cit's primary water source, Toppoing Creek, as the intake from it would be moved above the area to be developed"
"(The committee) is greatly concerned that the coming RMV development plan calls for the permanent loss of reliable, low-cost water for replacement by another, more costly source." (quoted from the Position Paper April 14, 2008)
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"Climate
Change", sponsored
by CBT, hosted by KAST and City of Rossland
The presentations are on this page. Other useful info and links are also on this page.
Lecture Notes, by CRD members Useful links provided by CBT: -Pacific Climate Impacts Consortium -Climate Impacts Group, U of WA (CIG) -Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Adaptation: -Canadian Climate Impacts and Adaptation Network -Adaptation U of WA CIG Planning Provided by Bob Sandford: -Western Watersheds Climate Research Collaborative Provided by Hans Schrier: -Institute for Research, Environment & Sustainability, UBC (Projects)
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April 16, 2008, lecture at RSS (Rossland High School) |
Hans Schrier, UBC Watershed Specialist Alan Hamlet, Hydrologist, U of Washington Michael Demuth, Glacier Specialist, Geological Survey of Canada Robert Sandford, UN Water for Life Decade
The full lecture will soon be posted by CBT and link will be provided.
The message was clear: -Accept that climate change is occurring and make a commitment to act -Plan for both "warmer and wetter" and "colder and drier" and be prepared for surprises -Conservation is imperative -Once we notice the effects of climate change, it's irreversible, so action now is imperative.
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"How
to Survive Community Opposition", Solid Waste & Recycling
Magazine
SenseMaker, software
Organizing and the Process of Sensemaking, Organization Science Magazine |
Feb/Mar, 2008, Paul Devlin
April, 2008
2005, Weick, Sutcliffe, Obstfeld
|
Faced with opposition, developers are advised to follow the 8 general steps outlined in this article, including: "Proponents should implement door-to-door outreach in the neighborhood; soliciting comments, sharing ideas, and making residents feel they are involved. Ignoring the neighbors is a sure way to engender opposition."
RMV has engaged resident Terry Miller to identify specific residents to help him accumulate 500-1000 stories about Red Mountain, then he will enter the text for analysis by SenseMaker for Red's decision-making purposes.
"Plausibilityand Sensemaking: Sensemaking is not about truth and getting it right. Instead, it is about continued redrafting of an emerging story so that it becomes more comprehensive, incorporates more of the observed data, and is more resilient in the face of criticism." (Page 7 of the 2005 Article)
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| DCC comparison in BC, by Ken Holmes | April, 2008 |
City of Rossland has pledged to update the DCC schedules in April, 2008. Many residents have voiced concern that Rossland DCC calculations do not consider all capital costs and are therefore understated. Certainly, Rossland's charges ( $3,329/single family detached dwelling) are low compared to the $12,720 average for the province.
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"Summary of Rossland Interceptor Sewer: History, Concerns and Where We are Today", Ken Holmes report
|
April, 2008, by Ken Holmes |
The interceptor sewer between Rossland and Warfield is marginal even for the existing population. An action plan is needed to deal with this.
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CRD Position Paper RE the need for a watershed management plan |
April 14, 2008, by CRD, presented to City Council on April 14, 2008
|
The Position Paper outlined 7 suggested steps that can be addressed now to protect our watershed. The matter is on the April 28 City Council meeting for discussion. |
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Planning &
Development Committe Meeting to discuss the Petition and CRD
Position Paper RE the Petition
"Rosslanders Speak out on Golf Course", Rossland Record |
April 8, 2008, public P&D meeting, April 6 Position Paper by CRD, presented to P&D members to be read at public P&D meeting on April 8, 2008 |
CRD, supporting the 935 petitioners, prepared and distributed this short position paper to present the history and background issues relating to the creation of the petition, for presentation at the P&D meeting April 8, 2008.
The position paper was not read as it had not been received by Council in time to become part of the official agenda. Individual members of the CRD were recognized and spoke individually. Councillor Drysdale presented an excellent summary of the position paper and this was followed by an open and constructive discussion by all Council members.
Lisa Henderson's summary of the meeting has more detail.
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CRD letter to Monte Miedierch, Min of Env, Water Stewardship Division
|
April 7, 2008, CRD to regulators |
CRD notification to 1) Fisheries and Oceans and 2) Ministry of Environment that the CRD is the local water stewardship group to be contacted/notified whenever there are matters appropriate for public consultation. |
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"Rezoning should Scrap Golf", Rossland Record
"Lawyer says down-zoning allowed: vague on developer's remedies" (Full text of Murdy opinion), Rossland Record
"Council refuses to release legal opinion", Rossland Record
"Editor's Note: Questions legal opinion", Rossland Record
|
March 25, 2008, regular public City Council meeting
March 19, 2008, Rossland Record
March 28, 2008, Rossland Record
March 28, 2008, Rossland Record
March 28, 2008, Rossland Record |
Notes and articles relating to Councillor Charlton's motion to remove 'golf course' as a permitted use in the watershed, including his basis for the motion: the history of the City's 1992 annexation of the watershed for protection of invaluable community water resources, Rossland's inheritance of the regional zoning for the watershed, the inconsistency of the zoning and current Council policy in the Strategic Sustainability Plan, Topping Best Management Practices, his primary concern being the contamination of the City's invaluable community water supply and Council discussion regarding the motion which was not passed. Notes include Councillor comments RE water rates and Ophir Creek Reservoir, who pays, should have paid, the rationale."
See www.rosslandrecord.ca archives for full article. |
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|
"Regional Sewage to be Reviewed", Rossland Record
|
March 19, 2008, Rossland Record |
Upwards of $30 million of liquid waste upgrades are of concern to the City of Trail, who has requested that the Province review the regional service issues which are shared by Trail, Warfield, Rossland.
See www.rosslandrecord.ca archives for full article.
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|
"Does Development Pay its Way?" "Public Meeting on Development Raises Questions", Rossland Record "Recording Public Meeting Not Allowed by City Hall", Rossland Record
|
March 19, 2008, City staff presentation
March 19, 2008, Rossland Record
March 19, 2008, Rossland Record |
See Councillor Charlton 032708 letter and summary addressing whether or not the question was answered. City Staff and Mayor Smith prepared the Agenda for this meeting which was attended by about 200 citizens. Future meetings are anticipated, with Agenda prepared by a wider group of advisors.
See www.rosslandrecord.ca archives for full article. |
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|
Community Petition asking that Council not permit any development in the Rossland community watershed
"Development Petition Waits in Limbo", Rossland Record
"Huge Numbers Sign Petition about Development", Rossland Record
|
Feb 25, 2008, presented to Rossland City Council at regular public meeting
March 19, 2008, Rossland Record
Feb 29, 2008, Rossland Record |
This petition has been signed by 935 Rossland residents who opposed further development in the Rossland community watershed. The petition began to be circulated in Dec, 2007 (only 3 months prior). It was presented to Rossland Council with 924 signatures, 11 more were turned in the next day, totaling 935 signatories, more than 1/4 of Rossland's total population. Council agreed by motion to discuss the petition at the next Planning & Development Committee meeting.
See www.rosslandrecord.ca archives for full article. |
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|
RMV Maps of proposed golf course Topping Creek community watershed
All Rossland community watersheds
Explanatory cover letter from City Engineer
|
March 10, 2008, City Council regular meeting agenda (not discussed) |
Red Mountain Ventures' prepared maps showing proposed golf course and proposed reconfiguration on Topping Creek intakes to accomodate the golf course proposal. It was stated at the Feb 12, 2008 RMV "Open House" that moving the intakes would reduce the City's water intake by approx 40% and these maps visually show the basis for the statement. |
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|
"Katkov presents golf course overview", Rossland Record |
Feb 15, 2008, Rossland Record |
Red Mountain Ventures' "Open House" in Rossland featured the below consultants' presentations
See www.rosslandrecord.ca archives for full article.
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|
Red Mountain Resort and Golf Course Best Management Practices DRAFT Oct, 2007 |
Feb 12, 2008, public presentation at Red Mountain Ventures' "Open House" in Rossland
|
Public presentation by Masse & Miller, consultants to Red Mountain Ventures. About 300 Rosslanders attended the event. |
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|
Red Mountain Ventures Golf Course Economic Impact Analysis DRAFT Nov 21, 2007
|
Feb 12, 2008, public presentation at Red Mountain Ventures' "Open House" in Rossland |
Public presentation by Suzanne Denbak (Cadence Resort Marketing Inc.) and Jim Johnson (Pacific Analytics of Victoria BC) consultants to Red Mountain Ventures. About 300 Rosslanders attended the event. |
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|
The Golf Club at Red Mountain
RMV Water Management Technical Briefing
DRAFTS Nov, 2007
|
Feb 12, 2008, public presentation at Red Mountain Ventures' "Open House" in Rossland |
Public presentation by Michael MacLatchy of Associated Engineering consultants to Red Mountain Ventures and RMR Acquisition Corp. Pg 4 of Conceptual Design shows total buildout at Red Mountain (by all developers) expected to be about 8,880 population. Water Management Technical Briefing addresses water supply, yields, use of reclaimed water, stormwater management etc. About 300 Rosslanders attended the event.
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| Ministry of Tourism, Sports, Arts Presentation and Comment Sheet |
Feb 12, 2008, public presentation at Red Mountain Ventures' "Open House" in Rossland
|
Public presentation by Psyche Brown and Bill Hunter of the Ministry of Tourism, Sports and the Arts. About 300 Rosslanders attended the event.
|
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| "City Needs Water Planning, says Federal Regulator", Rossland Record | Feb 8, 2008, Rossland Record |
Article references the Dec 12 Fisheries and Oceans letter to City Staff and City Staff's declaration (see below letter) that "we have a water management plan". However, the Dobson report, dated 2002, (see below) is a DRAFT and was not adopted by Council. The plan prior to that was dated approx 10 years prior.
See www.rosslandrecord.ca archives for full article.
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|
"The
Future of Rossland's Infrastructure" slideshow text
Infrastructure Cost Summary Presentation by Ken Holmes "Standing Room Only for Holmes", Rossland Record "A Conversation with Ken Holmes", Rossland Record
|
Feb 7, 2008, public presentation at Parish Hall by Ken Holmes
Feb 8, 2008, Rossland Record
Feb 1, 2008, Rossland Record
|
Public presentation by Ken Holmes, Engineer, presented the "Future of Rossland's infrastructure" needs, focusing primarily on water and sewer. About 200 Rosslanders attended the presentation.
See www.rosslandrecord.ca archives for full article. |
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|
Rossland Strategic Sustainability Plan
Visions to Action Newsletter Issue #7: adoption, next steps, summary of focus areas
|
Jan 28, 2008, adopted by Rossland City Council
February 10, 2008, from the Visions to Action Steering Committee |
Visions to Action website details the process since Feb 2007 to engage the community in determining the future we visualize. After development of the Sustainability Plan, the current Official Community Plan is to be updated to reflect the community's long term strategic direction (see selected parts of the current OCP immediately below). A number of Vision to Action publications are available from this website.
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2006, part of the most recent Official Community Plan |
This part of the current OCP specifically forbids the use of pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, lawns (other than minimal size), watering (other than by hand), and requires that plantings are only of native species in the Topping Creek watershed. Amendments
to the OCP must be approved by City Council, requiring a formal
application and public hearing. |
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Rossland Official Community Plan (OCP) 2006, Sched G: Red Mountain Area Sector Plan |
2006, part of the most recent Official Community Plan |
States land use objectives and policies for the base of Red Mountain, including a map of the various development areas, policies for each (density, type, equivalency factors, square footage, etc). Environmental policies state requirement to adhere to many best management practices, including the Topping Best Management Practices document above. Affordable housing policies are not definitive.
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Red Mountain Ventures Community Update |
Dec 17, 2007 |
Community Update distributed by Red Mountain Ventures to all Rosslanders to express their opinion about a future golf resort proposal and provide the anticipated timeline. Short and important to read.
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Department of Fisheries
and Oceans Letter to City of Rossland
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Dec 12, 2007, from Bruce Mac Donald, Nelson to Mike Maturo, City of Rossland |
"...The negative impacts to fish and fish habitat from urban development are well documented including serious degradation of water quality from urban runoff, physical degradation of in stream fish habitat and a reduction in fish biomass. DFO is concerned that the Topping Creek watershed may approach a point where the cumulative level of development could result in degraded water quality and potentially a permanent loss of productive fish habitat.
Consequently, we strongly recommend that a water management plan be developed for this watershed as soon as possible. Such a plan should involve the participation of all interested parties such as First Nations, developers, local government stewardship groups (if they exist) and provincial and federal agencies. ..."
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| Community Petition | Dec 10, 2007 |
Rosslanders began to circulate a petition asking that Council not permit any development in the Rossland community watershed.
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Dec 9, 2007, Editorial by Mela Pyper, Editor of the Rossland Record |
"I n Rossland, the City is actually a long way from ensuring that 'all new development ispaying its fair share as a result of the additional demands on the system' through DCCs and sewer connection fees..."
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| Flyer distributed to all Rossland PO Boxes | early Dec, 2007, prepared by several community members |
Flyer was distributed by community members to all Rosslanders' PO boxes to summarize the water quantity/quality issues, financial issues and the power of citizen input.
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Letters of opposition
to a golf course resort began circulation
Click here to read a representative selection
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early Dec, 2007 |
One Councillor characterized the flood of letters as a "tsunami". The letters continue in volume and cover a broad range of topics from golf resort development to infrastructure needs. Letters are variously addressed to Councillors, and the editors of the Trail Daily Times and Rossland Record.
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| Private event | early Dec, 2007 |
Private event at Mr. Katkov's Rossland residence, attended by some of Rossland City Councillors, Annika Sorrenstam, Psyche Brown (Minitstry of Sports, Arts, Tourism) others. No further information available at this time.
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Nov 30, 2007, article in Rossland Record
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Report on Katkov's Nov 27, 2007 public presentation about the golf course at the Rossland Planning & Development meeting
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Nov 30, 2007, article in Rossland Record
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Rossland Record's analysis of the 11 year old "Greening your BC Golf Club" guide, what RMV developers said they will follow in construction and maintenance of the proposed golf course.
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Press Release announcing the new Annika Sorenstam Golf Club at Red Mountain to be located in the Rossland community watershed
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Nov 30, 2007, press release in major business and golf news outlets |
The "Golf Course at Red Mountain", co-designed by Hall-of-Fame Golfer Annika Sorrenstam and course designer Thomas McBroom, was publicly announced in this widely publicized release which includes comments by resort developer Red Mountain Ventures' owner Howard Katkov
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Rossland Planning & Development Committee meeting
"Golf Course Proposal Goes Public", Rossland Record
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Nov 27, 2007, Planning
& Development Committee Meeting
Nov 23, Rossland Record |
RMV presentation to City Planning & Development Committee. Focus of the presentation was on a golf course, not the related real estate building.
See www.rosslandrecord.ca archives for full article. |
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Liquid
Waste Management Plan Stage I
(WARNING: 24 mb file, a smaller file of only the executive summary portion is being requested)
"Local Sewage Needs Could Cost $45 million", Rossland Record
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Oct, 2007, by Dayton
& Knight, Consulting Engineers, presented at public consultation for
all regions affected
Nov 13, 2007, Rossland Record |
Third Draft Report, covers needs to 2026 for Trail, Rossland, Fruitvale, Montrose, Warfield. Summary is excellent. Page 14 has summary of options, costs in total and per household, pros and cons. Page 32 table has current and projected population buildouts through 2026 by area, developer.
See www.rosslandrecord.ca archives for full article. |
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"New Golf Course Considered", Rossland Record
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Sept 7, 2007, Rossland Record |
Rumours about a golf course proposal by
RMV.
See www.rosslandrecord.ca archives for full article.
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Rossland Waterban Notices restricting water use in August:
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August 10, 2007, Level III restrictions enforced
August 27, 2007, Level IV restrictions enforced |
Every August, water restrictions are imposed by the City to ensure adequate municipal water in the fall. The raw water flows do not match needs as we get more than we need in spring, but have greater needs in summer. |
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Grant
Thornton Report: "Development Impact Cost/Benefit Assessment
Report"
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June, 2006, by Grant Thornton |
Unfortunately this $41,000 report is not a cost/benefit analysis of a specific project nor does it answer many pertinent questions. A primary flaw in the report is the omission of large expensive capital upgrade projects for water and sewer which we know are in our horizon.
These upgrade and other projects must be identified, planned and addressed in a comprehensive long term capital plan.
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Dec, 2005, final reading and adoption |
Multi-type DCC's are outlined, for example $3,329/single family detached dwelling.
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| "Howard Katkov Leads Purchase of Red Mountain Resort" |
June, 2004, article in Ski Canada, provided by Red Mountain
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Article in Ski Canada (provided by Red Mountain) RE purchase of Red Mountain and future plans | ||||||
| "Destination Rossland: The New Owner of Red Mountain" | April, 2004, interview by Stephanie Robinson of Biglines.com |
Biglines.com interview of Howard Katkov, while in the process of purchasing Red Mountain ski area
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| Rossland Watershed Management Plan 2002, DRAFT, not finalized or adopted | July, 2002, final draft plan |
The need for update and adoption of this DRAFT plan has been identified in the Strategic Sustainability Plan. "Watershed Physical Conditions" begins on pg 5, describing existing geography, geology, streams, fish, wildlife, etc.
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| What is the Rossland Community Watershed? Maps, Zoning, Habitat, Other | ||||||||
| Posting | Date | Description and links | ||||||
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Rossland Water 101, by Bill Micklethwaite |
May 6, 2008, presented by CRD at the Miner's Hall |
Engineer Bill Micklethwaite created this excellent presentation about Rossland's water supply in the Miner's Hall to about 70 people.
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| Rossland Water Supply Issues 2008 | March 30, 2008, paper by Bill Micklethwaite |
Bill Micklethwaite's excellent summary of current water issues: quality, quantity, timing, distribution, future of our Rossland community water resources. He has studied dozens of documents to prepare this summary.
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RMV Maps of proposed golf course Topping Creek community watershed
All Rossland community watersheds
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March 10, 2008, City Council regular meeting agenda (not discussed) |
Red Mountain Ventures' prepared maps showing proposed golf course and proposed reconfiguration on Topping Creek intakes to accomodate the golf course proposal. It was stated at the Feb 12, 2008 RMV "Open House" that moving the intakes would reduce the City's water intake by approx 40% and these maps visually show the basis for the statement. |
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Rossland Official Community Plan (OCP) 2006, Sched B: Land Use Map |
2006, part of the most recent Official Community Plan |
The Rossland overall land use plan map, created in 2005 as part of the most recent OCP. City boundary, zoning, community watersheds are all identified.
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| Rossland Watershed Management Plan 2002 DRAFT, not finalized or adopted | July, 2002, final draft plan |
"Watershed Physical Conditions" begins on pg 5, describing existing geography, geology, streams, fish, wildlife, etc. The need for update of this plan has been identified in the Strategic Sustainability Plan.
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| Water Licenses Query function for licenses of record with Ministry of the Environment | current, Ministry of Environment Water Stewardship Division |
City of Rossland water currently comes from 3 developed sources: Hanna, Topping, S. Murphy Creeks. In addition, City of Rossland holds licenses on undeveloped sources: Elgood, W. Little Sheep Creek, Little Sheep Creek. Updated nightly, this is a database of active water licenses and applications. It is searchable by several variables.
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Feb, 2007, Office of the Provincial Health Officer
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See the "Source Protection" section, beginning on page 17.
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City of Rossland Water Studies:
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1993,1981,1959, adopted water plans |
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Resources and Tools: Watershed Management, Economic Diversity, Financial Planning, Affordable Housing, Other Communities |
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| Posting | Date | Description and links | ||||||
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June 9, 2008, by Bill Micklethwaite, P. Eng |
Months of studying water flow correlations, a variety of studies by consultants and City Engineers, Bill has compiled a factual, footnoted analysis of Rossland's Water Resources, which is a must read - at least read the executive summary and conclusions. We greatly appreciate Bill's efforts and the critical information he shares.
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May 15-19, 2008 |
This 4 day conference had a wealth of information and issues applicable to Rossland. At least skim the notes because the same theme repeats throughout the conference.
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2004 review of the OCP, presentation by Councillor Charlton |
May 6, 2004, Councillor Charlton presentation |
Councillor Charlton's presentation during the adoption of the 2004 Bylaw to develop the Red Mountain Base Area, a part of the OCP. He identifies many inconsistencies in the Bylaw which are detrimental to the Rossland community as a whole.
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1999, by author Eben Fodor, MS in Environmental Studies and Masters in Urban and Regional Planning
(order used from www. amazon.com) |
His primary message is that development does not pay for itself. He shows numerous examples how to calculate the enormous costs of growth to a community. Growth's costs are manifested within the community through increased taxes and debt, infrastructure and favility maintenance deficits, reduction in the quality and extent of public services etc). Many communities' positive actions are cited, many real examples are used to explain and make suggestions. Concept is absolutely applicable to smaller communities.
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| Vernon Blog | current blog | A Vernon-based searchable blog of Rossland and other news. | ||||||
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current |
These important acts authorize various municipal operations and activities. |
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Flyer for Rossland planning meeting April 30, 2008 to discuss various school issues
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April 24,2008, per HR Director, SD20
April 30, 2008, Rossland meeting |
School enrollement in Rossland is declining at an increasing rate since 2004.
The school district is again discussing a reduction in Rossland school services, see meeting poster.
What can we do to increase enrollment in Rossland schools? |
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BC Stats' population statistics, by municipality
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current, website |
Rossland population has declined since 2004 (almost 2%), compared to even greater declines in Fernie (almost 4%), but population has increased in Nelson and Creston. Whistler is almost flat, while Squamish increased 6.6%. While Rossland has declined by 67 persons, Warfield has increased 82 persons (4.5%).
See this for context.
What can we do to increase our permanent population? |
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current, AES contact |
Audubon Environmental Services, Inc. (AES) is a for-profit company that serves as the exclusive provider of environmental services to members of Audubon International’s Gold and Silver Signature Programs and Classic Program. For more than a dozen years, AES has partnered with Audubon International and its program members to offer services, such as site evaluation, land planning and management, and technical guidance.
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Golf Course "Waste Management & Pollution Prevention Guide"
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University of Northern Iowa, Iowa Waste Reduction Center
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A guide for golf courses which describes the variety of toxic substances that can spill, leak and otherwise cause challenges to a golf course's waste management policies. |
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Stratford Bans Pesticides in City
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April 16, 2008 | Stratford, Ontario implements a city-wide ban on the use of pesticides as of March, 2009 | ||||||
| "A fresh look at fungicides for snow mold control" | July, 2007, Golf Course Management Magazine |
Funded by the Environmental Institute for Golf, this article describes the challenges and current preferred methods to use fungicides to control snow mold, which is a disease especially difficult to control in snow country.
NOTE: Snow mold has been around for years, treated with fungicides. For example, the Castlegar course has big issues with snow mold.
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"Aquatic Ecosystem Protection and Drinking Water Utilities"
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Feb, 2007, article by Sandra Postel published in the AWWA Journal |
Discusses modern approaches such as "ecologically sustainable water management" to proactively integrate ecological goals into water planning.
NOTE: like Vancouver, the resort municipality of Whistler does not allow any development in their watershed because it's too precious. Whistler staff says that restricting development in watersheds is common practice in BC. Whistler staff provided this excellent article for us to review.
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| Columbia Basin Trust Water Initiatives |
current, CBT website
current, MOE's website |
Legislation, watershed networks, forums, publications, initiatives, events.
Water license query, designated community watershed data. See Water Licenses Query function above.
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Summary of Whistler's Bennett/Battiston discussion
"Public Meeting: Lifestyle and Tourism at Rossland Inc.", Rossland Record
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March 20, summary by Kathy Moore to Rossland Council
March 19, 2008, Rossland Record |
Keith Bennett (worked for Whistler since 1981, currently oversees planning and operations eg zoning, development permits, liquor licensing, landscape, events, open-space planning facilities, parks, trails) and Ted Battiston (manager of sustainable initiatives) shared their experience with Rosslanders on March 20, 2008.
See www.rosslandrecord.ca archives for full article. |
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Whistler 2020 Task Forces and members
Whistler 2006 Implementing Organizations
Whistler Forest & Wildland Advisory Committee Summary
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2006
2006
2003
as of Mar, 2008 |
While the resort
municipality of Whistler is quite different than our community, Rossland,
Whistler government has various committees, policies and experience that
we can use as templates or for education/identification of our own
choices.
These are only a selection. |
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| Reports and studies held by Ken Holmes |
As of April 1, 2008, list by Ken Holmes
As of June 11, 2007, list by Erin McGuigan |
The volume of studies and reports
commissioned by the City of Rossland is impressive.
NOTE: Some of the reports/studies may be available electronically. In any event, the City of Rossland staff is usually prompt in providing any report requested.
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"Green"
Ski Area Research Results by UTSB
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Feb 21, 2008, report by UTSB
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UTSB is an environmental research firm based in Banff who grades ski areas on their environmental stewardship, environmental management and policies. UTSB uses the same criteria as the Ski Area Citizens' Coalition and invites all ski areas to participate each year.The largest ski areas have the best scores, Whistler having the highest score of all BC ski areas. Red Mountain is not listed.
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| Save Garibaldi | current web site |
Squamish residents and interested parties oppose a massive development in an area roughly 1/2 the size of Squamish, with 2 golf courses, 25 ski lifts, 22,000 bed units.
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The
Watershed Management Council
Know Your Watershed: Putting Together a Watershed Management Plan |
various |
The need for update and clarity of the 2002 Rossland Watershed Management plan has been identified clearly in the Strategic Sustainability Plan. There are many resources today that can be utilized in updating our plan to protect 1 of the community's most invaluable natural resources, our source of community water.
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BC Ministry of Community Services:
Development Finances Choices Guide
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2005 guides for municipalities' collection of appropriate funds from developers |
The Ministry of Community Services describes the process of public consultation, contents and requirements of each municipality's adoption of the annual property tax, finance plan and development cost charges. Capital costs for the next 5 years must be considered among other specific content requirements. Development finance alternatives are described and these guides are offered. |
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Nov, 2005, article by Ray Chipeniuk | |||||||
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Feb, 2007, International Amenity Migration Centre, Glorioso and Moss | |||||||
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Recommended Practice: Establishment of Strategic Plans
Recommended Practice: Multi-year Capital Project Plan and Budget
"Arena Costs Raise Tough Questions", Rossland Record |
May, 2006, paper by the International Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA)
May 4, 2007, Rossland Record |
The International GFOA is the recognized international professional organization and network for municipal finance officers. A wealth of recommended practices, pamphlets, papers, puplications, training, courses, including this free publication, is available for members and others.
Soaring water and sewer infrastructure costs are not the only considerations in a capital project plan and budget. For example, the Rossland Arena operates at a significant loss and requires millions of dollars of improvements.
See www.rosslandrecord.ca archives for full article.
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| Preparing a Local Fiscal Benefit-Cost Analysis (excerpt) | 2005, e-document by the International City Manager's Association (ICMA) |
The International City Manager's Association (ICMA) and its affiliate the Canadian Association of Municipal Administrators are the recognized international professional organizations and network for city administrators and managers. A wealth of documents, educational training, templates, recommended practices, opportunities for professional development, forums and this e-document, are available for a nominal fee by members of this organization and for those who hire professional administrators/managers.
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Municipal Finance Authority of BC
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MFA website |
Most Rossland borrowing and investment activities are governed by the Municipal Finance Authority. Investment rates and debt limit provisions are explained on this useful website.
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| Environmental, Socio-cultural and Economic Impact of Tourism | UNEP website |
This very interesting section of the UNEP Tourism Programme website discusses the PROS and CONS of the Environmental, Socio-cultural and Economic Impact of Tourism. An excellent summary , well-organized, much detail available about the issues.
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| BC Visitor Study - Provincial Overview | 1998, Province of BC report on www.tourismbc.com |
Page 23's graph of the % overnight tourists' interests in Outdoor Activities, in descending order are: 53%=Photography 50%=Visiting National/Provincial park 39%=Wildlife viewing/bird watching 23%=Hiking/backpacking 15%=Golfing 12%=Freshwater boating 11%=Whale watching 11%=Fishing 11%=Downhill skiing/snowboarding
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| Warming hits the West: trees to glaciers suffer | March 28, 2008, article on MSNBC |
"The report is from the Rocky Mountain Climate Organization, a coalition of local governments, businesses and others working to protect the climate, and the advocacy group Natural Resources Defense Council. It says the West is heating up faster than any other region in the continental U.S. with more catastrophic wildfires among the consequences." Raises the question about priorities for the use of water.
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| "More Americans are Giving up Golf" | Feb 21, 2008, New York Times article |
"Over
the past decade, the leisure activity most closely associated with
corporate success in
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Economic Benefits of Mountain Biking
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2008, study by Shimano | Short and self-explanatory. | ||||||
| A Global Perspective on the Environmental Impact of Golf |
July, 2006, paper by Wheeler and
Nauright
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Well-written detailed research paper debating economic vs environmental issues surrounding golf resorts. | ||||||
| BC Local Governments Pledging Carbon Neutrality |
March 20, 2008, report by Ministry of Community Services
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To date, over 100 municipalities of varying sizes have pledged carbon neutrality. The posting is a list as of Mar, 2008 by the BC Ministry of Community Services., which posts the BC Climate Action Charter. Rossland is not on the list.
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Local Government Guide for Improving Market Housing Affordability in British Columbia
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2005, BC Office of Housing and Construction Standards |
Tim Wake of Whistler is the recognized authority in BC on all affordable housing issues. |
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| Letters | ||||||||
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Written and Oral Comment (042408 Visions to Action Meeting attended by about 100 Rosslanders)
Laurie Charlton 050308 (Taxes) CRD Letter 050508 (OCP) CRD 050508 Att (OCP) Al Fisher 050808 (Water) Bob Bechaud 051008 (OCP) Dave Diplock 051108 (OCP) Dave Cornelius (Taxes) Ken Holmes 051308 (OCP-1) Ken Holmes 051308 (OCP-2) Ken Holmes 051308 (OCP-3) Laurie Charlton 051608 (Taxes) Rosa Jordan, delivered to all Rossland PO Boxes: "The Great Water Giveaway" 051808 "Dumb Mistakes" 051908
Sheree Sonfield 051908 (OCP) Michelle Laurie051908 (OCP) Andy Stradling 052108 (OCP)
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Ken Holmes 061208 (OCP) Bonnie & Blaise Szekely 070108 Susan Shaw/Martin Daniel 070308 Kathy Moore/Dave Cornelius 070408 Susan Shaw Martin Daniel 071108
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The recurring themes in these letters to Council and the editors of local papers are concerns for financial and land-use planning. Some letters discuss the need to plan for critical infrastructure upgrades that have long been deferred. Other letters discuss the golf resort development and all are strongly against a golf resort development in the Rossland community watershed. Many people question the need for a second new golf course when the existing Rossland golf course was only recently expanded and developed just a couple of years ago, with years to go before ultimate "build-out".
The letters show the community's depth of understanding of the issues and strong sentiment.
Note that these and many other private letters to Councillors and others were written all within a very short time frame.
Media links: Trail Daily Times (not online)
Media contacts for Letters to the Editor, click here.
NOTES: The majority of these July 11 letters were published in the July 11 edition of the Rossland Record: www.rosslandrecord.ca
Many thanks go to Mela Pyper of the Rossland Record for devoting so much space to publish 17 letters on July 11 solely so that Rosslanders (near and far) who read the Record (online) have the opportunity to know what other Rosslanders have said in writing. Otherwise, how would we know?
Of the 17 letters published on July 11, only 1 letter refuted any issues raised about the RMV proposal.
Over 100 people submitted and/or signed letters (of which we are aware) against the RMV proposal within about a 1 week time frame.
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| Media | ||||||||
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June 4, 2008: "Controversy
Surrounds New Sorenstam Golf Course"
June 11, 2008: "Rossland Fights Golf Resort in Watershed" |
Local media has written many articles addressing the issues. Many of these are above in the "Timeline" section with position papers and other detailed reports issued by CRD, by date.
This section holds additional articles that have been released to or written for the media.
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