Spill at Terzaghi Dam Increased!  New Bylaw Notice Enforcement System

Spill at Terzaghi Dam revised and increased to 200 m3/s!  Be careful.

As outlined in late March, BC Hydro began the process of managing the Downtown Reservoir to a new normal operating maximum of 734 meters. At the time, they anticipated a gradual increase in water flows for the Lower Bridge River and the Seton River as the snowmelt increased through the spring and early summer. 

As a result of warmer conditions over the past month, the spring snowmelt in the region is well ahead of the seasonal pattern. Starting next week, they plan to accelerate their release schedule from Terzaghi Dam and raise the maximum release up to 200 m³/s across May and June. The increase in flow from current levels (55 m³/s) will be conducted in stages. It is important to note that, in addition to the higher flows, river levels can change significantly without notice during this time.

This revised release schedule is designed to provide additional flexibility to manage both Downton and Carpenter Reservoir elevations should the increased water supply forecast continue across the spring and summer.

Spill Schedule

BC Hydro reminds residents and visitors to stay away from the edges of the Lower Bridge and Seton Rivers during this high flow period and continue to be mindful of water safety throughout the year.

For additional information on climate, snow and reservoir conditions, please see www.bchydro.com/water.

My previous post on this topic(scroll down about halfway): http://www.debbiedemare.com/2016/03/updated-wildfire-threat-analysis-and.html


SLRD INTRODUCES NEW BYLAW NOTICE ENFORCEMENT AND DISPUTE ADJUDICATION SYSTEM

The Squamish-Lillooet Regional District (SLRD) has implemented a new system for enforcing the regulatory provisions of many of its bylaws. Squamish-Lillooet Regional District Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 1447-2016 was adopted by the SLRD Board on March 16, 2016 in conjunction with a new ticketing and dispute adjudication system. With the bylaw and system in place, both the police and SLRD staff can be authorized to write bylaw notices (i.e. tickets) for bylaw infractions. A part-time Bylaw Enforcement Officer has been hired to oversee the program.

Under this new system, Bylaw Notices (i.e. tickets) may be issued to people or corporations who contravene the provisions of many of the SLRD’s bylaws, including those related to zoning, noise, signage, unsightly premises, land clearing and debris pollution management, and soil deposit and removal, among others. A person or company receiving a bylaw notice may either pay the ticket, or they can dispute it through a screening process and, ultimately, to an independent provincially appointed adjudicator, rather than through the court system.

“In recent years, the number of complaints the SLRD receives regarding various bylaw infractions has been increasing,” says Jack Crompton, SLRD Board Chair. “This system gives us a new tool to enforce SLRD bylaws while at the same time providing residents and businesses with a fair, affordable and effective means of resolving disputes outside of the Provincial Court system.”

The goal of the SLRD Bylaw Enforcement system is not to penalize people, but to achieve compliance with SLRD bylaws in order to maintain a safe and livable region for all residents. Incentives are provided by way of discounts for early payment or penalties, and surcharges may be added for late payments. Reduced penalties combined with appropriate terms and conditions may also be available in some cases through Compliance Agreements.

The Bylaw Enforcement and Ticketing system is complaint driven.  Area A has fewer nuisance type bylaws (noise, dogs etc) at the current time than the other areas, although we do have some including the Soil Removal Bylaw and the No Firearms Discharge Bylaw and of course all the building bylaw requirements.

More information about the SLRD’s Bylaw Enforcement system, including links to the bylaws, witness report (complaint) form, Frequently Asked Questions, and background information can be found at www.slrd.bc.ca/BylawEnforcement

============================================================Here is the April Edition of the Regional District Wide Update:  https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bz8bmBXIlkCOcGRjNFhzZEJlams/view?usp=sharing