The following is an open letter to the RDOS regarding their decision to halt the wetlands project (final cleansing of effluents through the Okanagan Falls Wastewater Treatment Plant, WITHOUT consulting the VLSA and other affected parties.
Ms. Bloomfield,
The Vaseux Lake Stewardship Association Board of Directors was shocked to learn (through the article linked below) that the RDOS had, without any consultation, decided not to move forward with the final cleansing of Okanagan Falls Treatment Plant’s effluents through the parcel of land purchased in 2015.
The fact that the RDOS also planned to connect Kaleden and Skaha Estates to the treatment plant without the final cleansing is of great concern to this Association.
What is most unsettling is the fact that your office knew how important this issue is to the Vaseux Lake Stewardship Association and yet a decision was made to leave the Association totally in the dark and out of the consultation process. Moreover, we find it astonishing that the RDOS Directors representing Vaseux Lake homeowners were not informed prior to the decision so as to properly consult with their affected constituents.
This incident makes it very difficult to have any trust in the RDOS and their decision-making process.
We, as an Association, expect more from the taxpayer-funded District of the Okanagan-Similkameen which is supposed to work on behalf of their communities.
Decisions must not be made in isolation with no consultation.
As funding for the wetlands project ends in September 2018, we would like an outline on how the available funds will be spent on the final cleansing of the effluents at the meeting scheduled for November 7th, 2017. Five years have gone by since the funding was provided in 2012 with very little progress to move this project forward, which is completely unacceptable.
At the board meeting the RDOS stated there was no need for a wetland because the plant has and continues to meet all provincial regulations. That statement was false. I have attached the last septic plant effluents report you provided to the Association in Sept 2016, which clearly states that the plant did not meet nitrate and phosphate permitted levels for the first two years, and in 2016 was still struggling to meet nitrate levels.
The Association once again requests all reports associated with discharges of the Okanagan Falls Waste Water Plant’s effluents for the past four years broken down monthly, and a monthly outline indicating whether permitting levels were met.
We would also like to see all toxicity reports that were done so we have a clear understanding of all chemicals being dumped in Vaseux lake. With this report, a copy of the Treatment Plant permits would also be required.
It is becoming a much too common practice by the RDOS to be indicating publically that this plant has been and continues to meet all provincial requirements on effluent discharge when the attached Memo clearly states this has not been the case historically. When you combine the past failure to meet permit levels and the fact heavy metals and chemical inhibitors are being subjected to a small shallow lake like Vaseux, it is obvious a wetland is necessary to provide a final cleansing.
It is ironic that the Water Board stated (see attached release) that they are hesitant to use the rototiller in our lake because Dr. Jeff Curtis at UBC Okanagan indicates there is a possibility for the release of lead, arsenic, nitrate, phosphorus and other chemicals; which could lead to toxic bacteria and algae growth affecting Vaseux Lake and downstream bodies of water, while at the same time, the RDOS tried to remove funding for the final cleansing of effluents (which would help minimize the above-mentioned chemicals) and reallocate that funding to add two more communities that will increase toxic water into Vaseux Lake.
Finally, the Vaseux Lake Stewardship Association would like to have a copy of the full Environmental Impact Study that should have been completed regarding the planned addition of Kaleden and Skaha Estates to the Okanagan Falls Waste Water Treatment plant, as per requirements under existing legislation.
Please note that our RDOS representatives, the MLA, MP and all members of Vaseux Lake Stewardship Association have been sent this email, so everyone is well aware of the issues and expectations moving forward.
The Association is grateful to our RDOS representatives Tom Siddon and Terry Schafer who were able to stop the removal of the wetland funding and there is now a strong expectation the RDOS will swiftly move forward to create the wetland which was initially budgeted for in 2012, with very little accomplished five years later.
Kindly ensure Mr. Bill Newell, the CAO is made aware of this email, so he understands and appreciates our concerns and expectations — that in the future, Vaseux Lake Stewardship Association will be consulted when dealing with all issues involving Vaseux Lake and particularly the Okanagan Falls Treatment plant.
https://www..pentictonwesternnews.com/news/regional-district-meeting-gets-heated/
http://infotel.ca/newsitem/milfoil-removal-on-vaseux-lake-delayed/it47053Please note the 3 attachments as well.
2017-10-23 Penticton Western News
2017-10-23 Milfoil removal on Vaseux Lake delayed
2017-10-23 20160906 Septic Plant Vaseau Lake[3770]
Sincerely,
Norm Gaumont – Chair
Vaseux Lake Stewardship Association
http://vaseuxlake.com
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