About the Central Okanagan Regional Air Quality Program
With the Okanagan Valley’s population expected to increase by 50% over the next 20 years planning is underway to make sure the air stays clean while the area grows.
Population growth, topography and weather patterns create a high potential for air quality problems in the Okanagan Valley. To maintain and improve air quality, the Regional District of Central Okanagan and member municipalities are working together to best project the Okanagan Airshed.
The Regional District of Central Okanagan Governance Committee (formerly Regional Air Quality Committee) was formed to address air quality issues in the Central Okanagan. The committee is composed of political representatives from the Regional District of Central Okanagan Board, the City of Kelowna, District of Peachland, District of Lake Country and the District of West Kelowna. Representatives from the City of Kelowna, Ministry of Environment, Interior Health, Environment Canada, the agricultural industry and local fire departments support the committee with technical expertise.
History
The Central Okanagan Regional Air Quality Committee (now Regional Governance Committee) was formed in 1998. Consisting of a group of elected officials from municipalities and areas of the Regional District of Central Okanagan, the Committee fullfilled an air quality monitoring and education/public awareness and advocacy function. Through public workshops and with provincial staff encouragement, the Committee was “charged with the development and implementation of an Air Quality Management Plan for the Regional District of Central Okanagan subject to Regional Board approval.” The most recent Air Quality Management Plan for the Central Okanagan was developed in 2007 and can be found at the following link Air Quality Management Plan for the Central Okanagan.
The Okanagan Air Quality Technical Steering Committee (OAQTSC) was formed in 1995. This committee was comprised of staff and technical representatives from municipalities, Regional Districts (including North Okanagan and Okanagan Similkameen Regional Districts), provincial and federal agencies, institutions and industries in the Okanagan Airshed. Working together with the Central Okanagan Regional Air Quality Committee, the OAQTSC provides technical information and research regarding local air quality.
Contact
For more information on Air Quality, contact:
Nicole Marzinzik
Regional Services
250 469-8408
nmarzinzik@kelowna.ca
