RE: Gas Tax Allocation to the Okanagan Falls Wetland Project

Administrative Recommendation:

THAT the Regional District commit $700,000 from the Electoral Area “D” Community Works Fund for the construction of a wetland adjacent to the Okanagan Falls Wastewater Treatment Plant.

Purpose:

Secure 100% of the funding required to complete the Okanagan Falls Wetlands Enhancement roject and utilize the Regionally Significant Project Funds Business Plan Objective: (Tie to current RDOS Business Plan Complete the Wetland project for the Okanagan Falls Treatment Plant

Background and Analysis:

Wetlands Project The Okanagan Falls Wetland Enhancement project has been in the future vision for wastewater treatment in the area since the idea was initially discussed during the development of the ‘Okanagan Falls Sewage Treatment Plant – Strategic Review’ in 2005.

In 2012, funds were allocated from the Regionally Significant Projects (RSP) gas tax funds in an effort to move the wetland project along. In total, $360,911 was allocated to install a discharge pipe and initial receiving area within the existing Vaseux wetland area. Environment Canada denied the request to connect with the existing wetland and the project stalled as no lands were available. In 2015, a nearby property was purchased that could be used for a constructed wetland. The RSP funds were still available, however the change in scope now required a new stand-alone wetland to be constructed. The costs associated with constructing a new wetland are estimated to be significantly higher as no natural infrastructure existed. As part of the rules surrounding the RSP funds, the securing of complete funding for the wetland project was required prior to the RSP agreement execution. Constructed wetlands built around the globe have a significant range in cost estimates depending on many factors, such as location, treatment requirements, native materials, capacity, etc. For theOkanagan Falls wetland the following assumptions were made when the cost estimate was
prepared.

· Wetland area of about 3.8 hectares – treatment area about 2.6 hectares
· Wetland not have a liner and effluent will be discharged as groundwater and not via the river channel diffusers
· Gravity flow is insufficient from the Waste Water Treatment Plant and a pumping system needs to be retrofitted into the existing effluent discharge system

Total Estimated Cost $ 1,006,000