Important subjects but small turnout. Most in attendance members of the Area C APC.

Chris Garrish RDOS planner addressing proposed changes/update to Environmentally Sensitive Development Permit areas. In sixteen years only such 27 certificates issued out of 5189 building permits. Garrish says the Regional Board wants a review and will make some changes in the coming months.

Bryn White speaking on a vote in 2016 for a regional conservation fund. White says the Central Okanagan Regional District raises almost 2 Million dollars a year for their fund. At $10 a household in the RDOS about $500 thousand would be raised for environmental projects. White who runs the SOS Conservation Program says some municipalities may opt to go it alone but that a regional approach can be effective as well. The regional district is at the beginning of an information program making presentations to municipal councils and regional sub-committees.

A Conservation Fund will help communities ensure the sustainability of nature and protect our quality of life now, and for the future.

WHAT IS A LOCAL CONSERVATION FUND?

Local conservation funds are dedicated funds held by a regional district or municipality for the specific purpose of undertaking conservation projects.

WHERE DOES THE MONEY FOR A LOCAL CONSERVATION FUND COME FROM?

Nature conservation can be considered a service provided by local and regional governments, similar to services like recreation, libraries, waste management, sewer and water. Conservation Funds are generated by annual contributions made by households through a property levy.

While a dollar figure has not yet been determined, feedback so far indicates that a reasonable amount would be just under $10 per household, per year on average.

WHERE ELSE IS THIS DONE?

Several BC regions such as the Central Okanagan, Vancouver Island and East & Central Kootenays have had great success with local conservation funds.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

Once established, community groups and other organizations apply to the fund to support their projects.

One of the biggest benefits of a conservation fund is that money from the fund can be used to attract funding from other private, provincial and federal sources and provide even greater benefit to our economy and communities.