City of Kelowna - Environment News Releases

Fire, smoke prevention reminders for warm weather

Thu, 17 May 2012 09:15:00 PDT

Fire prevention bylaw regulates wood burning appliances

As summer approaches and residents prepare their patios and yards for warmer weather, the City reminds residents to be aware of local smoke control and fire prevention bylaws.

Within the City of Kelowna, outdoor wood burning appliances are not permitted; this includes fire pits, woodstoves, chimineas and other appliances.

"To reduce the risk of fire and avoid nuisance smoke, backyard wood burning is prohibited," says Kate Bergen, Regional Air Quality Program Coordinator. "Residents are still able to enjoy barbecues or other appliances that use gas, propane or briquette and are CSA/ULC approved."

The City of Kelowna Fire Prevention Regulation Bylaw No. 6110 regulates open burning and wood burning appliances. Different restrictions are in place for other municipalities in the Central Okanagan. Residents in other areas should speak with their Fire Department to check local restrictions and see if campfires or wood burning appliances are allowed, and if permits are required.

When burning in the Regional District of Central Okanagan is permitted, only clean dry wood is permitted to be burned. All other materials are prohibited.

More information about air quality and outdoor burning regulations is available at kelowna.ca/airquality.

Lochview Trail now open

Thu, 10 May 2012 10:45:00 PDT

New trail offers a challenging 1.5 km hike

The City of Kelowna announced today the opening of a new trail connecting Lochview Road to Pauls Tomb in Knox Mountain Park.

"We're glad to be able to open Lochview Trail in time for the spring hiking season," said Amy Nyhof, City of Kelowna Landscape Design Technician. "The trail provides a challenging option for those who enjoy hiking in the Paul's Tomb area. It crosses steep terrain, but it offers breathtaking views of the lake."

The construction of this new trail is part of the City's Linear Park Master Plan, which serves to provide a city-wide trail network linking points of interest throughout the City, and providing healthy and diverse transportation and outdoor recreation opportunities to the community.

Designed to protect the existing vegetation and wildlife, the 1.5-km trail is rated as difficult and includes steps, safety rails and signage.

Because the trail is built on a special right-of-way through private properties, trail users are asked to respect neighbours and stay on the path.

For more information about City parks, visit kelowna.ca/parks .

Follow the Yellow Fish Road

Fri, 04 May 2012 11:45:00 PDT

Have you seen yellow fish in your neighbourhood?

Trout Unlimited Canada's Yellow Fish Road�, in partnership with the City of Kelowna, is painting the town yellow. The Yellow Fish Road program is a nation-wide storm drain marking program. The City of Kelowna is looking for groups of all ages who are interested in painting yellow fish in Kelowna this spring and summer.

"The yellow fish painted by the storm drains serve as a reminder for residents to properly dispose of any hazardous household chemicals, like used motor oil, and to use environmentally-friendly alternatives such as compost in your garden," explains Lynn Robb, Yellow Fish Road Director of Conservation Education. "Washing your car in the driveway with soap can impact the local waterbody by adding nutrients, especially phosphates, which can lead to excess growth of algae or eutrophication."

Storm drains are the grates found next to the curb and collect runoff water from the street. In Kelowna, storm drains empty directly into local waterbodies, untreated.

"Yellow Fish Road participants paint yellow fish next to storm drains and distribute brochures to nearby households to let residents know why the yellow fish have appeared," says Althea Livingston, the program coordinator for the City of Kelowna. "We supply the stencils, paint, and other safety equipment to groups of all ages."

If you are interested in painting yellow fish with a group, visit kelowna.ca/environment, or call 250-469-8921.

Bike to Work Week a smart choice

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 10:15:00 PDT

Event runs May 28 to June 3

When the weather warms up and days get longer, it's the time to get on your bike. To get ready for cycling season, cyclists around the Central Okanagan are pumping up their tires, oiling their chains and signing up for Bike to Work Week.

This annual event runs May 28 to June 3 to engage the community in cycling as part of their daily transportation.

"The Central Okanagan's Bike to Work Week, is part of the smartTRIPS program," says Mike Kittmer, City of Kelowna's Active Transportation Coordinator. "This annual event challenges workplaces, schools and other organizations to incorporate cycling into their commute, and this is what smartTRIPS is all about."

Bike to School Week is held at the same time and encourages students to learn bike safety and try riding to school.

"Throughout the week, Bike to Work teams have the opportunity to compete against other organizations and schools to win prizes," says Lindsay Eason, Bike to Work Week Coordinator for the Central Okanagan. "Celebration Stations will be in neighbourhoods throughout the week offering snacks, cycling information, bike tune ups and a fun way to meet other cyclists."

A recent study in Kelowna showed that residents who ride their bikes to work are significantly happier with their commute than those who drive. Plus you save money and it's good for your health.

To get involved, residents can form a team at work, school, or place of worship and register by visiting smartTRIPS.ca. Individuals without a team can also get involved by visiting the Celebration Stations during the week. The event is free to anyone who wants to participate.

To register, or for more information about smartTRIPS and Bike to Work Week, visit smartTRIPS.ca or phone 250-868-5121.

About smartTRIPS: smartTRIPS is the Central Okanagan's new active transportation education program. The goal is to encourage all Central Okanagan residents to be healthy and active by reducing drive-alone trips. By biking, walking, riding transit, carpooling and other smart transportation options we benefit the community through better health, cleaner air and a healthier environment. Together we can improve the quality of life for everyone in the Central Okanagan.

smartTRIPS is a regional partnership between the City of Kelowna, Regional District of Central Okanagan and District of West Kelowna.

City endorses living pesticide-free

Mon, 12 Mar 2012 14:45:00 PDT

Fourth year of Kelowna Bylaw

2012 marks the fourth year of the City's pesticide use regulation bylaw and its Pesticide Free education campaign.

"The Pesticide Free campaign helps residents make healthier yard maintenance choices," says Althea Livingston, Marketing and Communications Coordinator. "The education campaign is designed to assist with the implementation of our pesticide bylaw that regulates the use of cosmetic, non-essential pesticides on residential properties. The bylaw came into effect on January 1, 2009."

City staff will visit retailers and host a number of free workshops throughout the spring to ensure that information is provided directly to residents. The City's website, kelowna.ca/environment also features a number of different information brochures and fact sheets, answers to some frequently asked questions, plus helpful external links. Topics covered include managing pests, weeds, aphids, powdery mildew and fruit pests in residential yards. Another pamphlet explains how to read a pesticide label and determine which less toxic pesticides are permitted under the bylaw.

For the second year in a row, a pesticide expert is available to answer questions from residents who are dealing with a pest or weed problem and need advice. Residents can email pesticidefree@kelowna.ca or leave a voicemail on the Pesticide Free Hotline at 250-469-8881. "Residents can apply for a one-time exemption to deal with infestations they cannot get under control using natural measures by calling the Environment and Land Use Branch at 250-469-8626," says Livingston. "However, we will want to ensure people have done everything they can before resorting to pesticides."

Other exemptions from the bylaw include certified pesticide applicators, backyard fruit trees, pests that transmit human diseases, noxious weeds, noxious insects, City of Kelowna lands and less toxic pesticides such as acetic acid, dormant oil and safer soaps.

The City of Kelowna Park Services Department has reduced its pesticide use over the last 11 years, with the majority of pest management activity now being done through proper design and the use of horticultural practices, as well as through mechanical, biological and cultural controls. Provincial regulations currently allow cosmetic pesticides to be sold by retailers. However, some local retailers have opted to voluntarily take them off their shelves to support the numerous pesticide bylaws in Canada. The City is hopeful that new provincial legislation will further restrict the use and sale of cosmetic pesticides.

Year round disposal of pesticides and other hazardous materials with a corrosive, poison or flammable symbol on the label is available at the Battery Doctors at 1972 Windsor Rd. For more information about hazardous waste disposal, call Battery Doctors at 250-860-2866, or visit www.regionaldistrict.com/recycle.

For more information about the City of Kelowna pesticide bylaw, Pesticide Free education program and alternatives to chemicals, visit the Pesticide Free pages at kelowna.ca/environment.

Mission Creek gaining extra support

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 10:30:00 PDT

From Lakeshore Rd. to Gordon Dr.

City of Kelowna crews will begin enhancing the Mission Creek dike system near Lakeshore Bridge Tuesday.

Work will focus on the section that extends 150 metres east along Mission Creek from Lakeshore Road toward Gordon Drive. This work is being done on behalf of the Province prior to spring runoff.

"Residents will have full access to the Mission Creek Greenway along the north bank during construction, but access to the informal trail on the south side will be closed to allow our crews to work safely and efficiently and ensure public safety," says Stephen Bryans, Roadways Supervisor. "Work will be done alongside an environmental consultant who will help monitor the project." The improved dike, which is approved and funded by the Province, is designed to prevent future flooding in this area. The City has agreed to construct the enhanced dike on behalf of the Province with the participation of an engineering consultant and the cooperation of property owners.

The work is expected to be complete by March 23.

Infested pine removal underway in City parks

Mon, 27 Feb 2012 08:30:00 PDT

Public asked to stay out when crews working

The City of Kelowna is removing more than 1,000 infested Ponderosa pines from City parks this spring to stop the spread of pine beetle infestation within Kelowna.

Five locations have been targeted for removal of infested trees, including Knox Mountain Park, Dilworth Mountain Park-Summit, Dilworth Mountain Park-Selkirk, Mission Ridge Park and 4500 Jean Rd.

"Again this year, we are seeing an increase pine beetle infestation in areas surrounding Kelowna," says Blair Stewart, Urban Forestry Supervisor. "We are encouraging land owners to watch for and remove infested pine trees," says Stewart. "However, in order to stop the spread of the beetle, it is important to remember that infected wood should not be used as firewood, transported, or stored for any length of time unless it is first debarked. Infested bark must be chipped, burned or buried."

The public is asked to stay out of areas where crews are working. Only infested and dead trees will be removed. Infested Ponderosa pines at this time of the year can appear to be green and healthy and show very little sign of attack. Infected trees will be marked with paint or flagging tape.

The cumulative area of B.C. affected by the pine beetle is estimated at 17.5 million hectares.

Residents can learn more about the pine beetle and tree removal at kelowna.ca or call the City's Pine Beetle Hotline at 250 469-8457.

Register for pesticide spray notification

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 07:45:00 PDT

Deadline March 15

Kelowna residents who wish to be informed when pesticide spraying occurs close to their homes are asked to register with the City of Kelowna's Pesticide Notification Registry before March 15.

Residents must register every year for the registry to be kept accurate and up to date. Those included in the 2011 registry must register again if they wish to be included in this year's notification program.

The City's pesticide bylaw came into effect Jan. 1, 2009 and restricts the use of non-essential pesticides by homeowners on residential properties. Pesticide applicators who are provincially certified can apply to be exempt from the bylaw.

"Since certified applicants are still able to apply chemical pesticides we want to make sure residents have the option of knowing when spaying in their area is taking place," says Marketing & Communications Coordinator, Summer Bracey. "This is our eighth consecutive year running the registry and it's a valuable service for those who want to minimize their exposure to pesticides."

Registrants are notified by commercial spray operators on the same or previous day to pesticide application on abutting residential properties. The registry notification does not cover pesticide application on agricultural properties.

The City encourages residents to register online at kelowna.ca/environment, providing their name, street address, postal code, phone number, email address, preference for same-day or previous-day notification and reasons for registering.

Alternately, residents can register by calling the Commercial Pesticide Notification Registry Hotline at 250-469-8556, faxing 250-862-3314 or mail applications to the City of Kelowna Development Services, 1435 Water Street Kelowna, B.C., V1Y 1J4.

For more information, to register online or to inquire about Pesticide Free educational items, visit kelowna.ca/environment.

City implements water restrictions for Upper Mission

Sun, 12 Jun 2011 09:30:00 PDT

Complete outdoor water ban south of Barnaby/Steele Road

Due to maintenance issues at the Cedar Creek Pump Station, the City of Kelowna has implemented temporary outdoor water restrictions for the Upper Mission, effective immediately. All properties south of Barnaby/Steele Road, including the Paret Road subdivision are included in the restriction. The Rimrock/Timberline area including Swick Road is excluded from the restriction.

"At this time the restriction applies to outdoor water usage only," says Joe Creron, Director of Civic Operations. "This will help alleviate the demand on the system ensuring the City continues to deliver quality water for drinking consumption and for fire protection."

In addition to stopping outside irrigation residents are also asked to refrain from pressure washing their house, driveways or outdoor furniture, filling pools or hot tubs and washing cars. The City's Water Smart staff is available to assist residents in turning their automatic irrigation systems off.

Staff is currently working on the installation of an alternate pump. The water restriction will remain in effect until further notice. The City, through the Water Regulation Bylaw, has the authority to impose fines for non-compliance.

To request assistance with your automatic irrigation system, please contact Water Smart at 250 868-3339 or neal@getwatersmart.com which are being monitored.

For updates and additional information, visit kelowna.ca.