Report to Council for May 2016

Transcription

1 Report to Council for May 2016 Councillor Silas White SCRD Community Services & Board April 14: The BC Ferry Youth Travel Voucher program, offering fully subsidized ferry travel to students on school trips and children s sports teams in the community, has been expanded to other children s groups at the SCRD board s request: Girl Guides, Boy Scouts and Cadets. In 2015, the program subsidized 27, 235 trips. SCRD Planning & Development & SD46 April 21: I joined the sports field delegation to the School District s Operations Committee. The Committee was very receptive to working together to improving all sports fields on the Coast, including through the Joint Use function. Gibsons Rotary Auction, April 23: I volunteered to help Councillor Lumley serve at this event, marking the 20th anniversary of Gibsons Rotary it was incredibly well attended, with a lot of positive buzz about the new faces and energy in the crowd. In part from the funds raised by the auction, Rotary has donated $15,000 to the Elementary School Playground project. Sechelt Community Forest AGM, April 26: The Community Forest had a very impressive year in terms of revenue, based on sales of logs that were mostly harvested in Unfortunately the Old Mine Fire in Sechelt has severely impacted operations in 2015, including the tragic loss of John Phare, who also happened to be a key independent contractor for the Community Forest. The Community Forest anticipates that much of 2016 will be devoted to recovering from the fire. SCRD Hospital District, Corporate & Admin Services & Board Meeting, Economic Development Steering Committee, April 28: The Local Government Economic Development Steering Committee officially passed the reins to the new board that will guide economic development on the Coast. The members of the board were extremely positive and engaged, and even immediately resolved to continue meeting together into the evening after the Steering Committee left. Barrie Wilbee spoke inspirationally from the perspective of a longtime advocate for Coast-wide economic development. The group was reminded by local governments that they have our full support but also high expectations! By all indications these are justified. 1

2 LEAP Local Entrepreneurs Showcase by Community Futures, Sechelt Band Hall, April 28: Speaking of economic development, the breadth, creativity and enthusiasm around new business opportunities and ideas on the Coast continues to grow. This was the last event over a long day, but a nice way to cap it off. Howe Sound Community Forum, Gambier Island, April 29: Along with Councillors Lumley and Valeriote and CAO Machado I took the ferry over to Camp Fircom to catch up on the Howe Sound region. Derelict vessels continue to be a hot item, with some promise that the federal government intends to take action on this longstanding issue. MP Goldsmith-Jones was in attendance and reported on her work, as did neighbouring MLA Jordan Sturdy on behalf of the provincial government. The featured local government presentation was Councillor Valeriote and CAO Machado discussing our Eco-Assets Strategy, which was well received. SCRD Policing and Transportation, May 2: Staff Sergeant Mathura presented about policing levels on the Sunshine Coast, concluding that the easiest way to address the issue is for the District of Sechelt to decide to pay more for policing, given its degree of municipal autonomy over policing as a community with a population over 5,000. He did not feel that taking a regional angle (for Gibsons and the rural areas) to the Province would be fruitful until more municipal need was identified and addressed. At Transportation, it was observed that the bike lane going up School Rd is primarily used by pedestrians. TraC asked if traffic cones could help mark bike lanes to the schools in the Gibsons Area during Bike to Work/School week. SCRD Infrastructure Services Committee, May 5: I ve attached an informative report from SCRD staff on the current state/projections of Chapman Creek water supply this summer essential reading for anyone who is concerned about our weather, the possibilities for another drought, and the SCRD s preparations in regards to water. TraC Spring Bike Tour, May 7: I joined close to twenty other community members on an enjoyable and illuminating bike ride around Lower & Upper Gibsons. It was informative to hear people s observations about cycling around Gibsons, including from the TraC advocates who have been doing such great work with our staff led by Dave Newman including to build the connector trail Stewart up to Shaw. 2

3 Annex B SUNSHINE COAST REGIONAL DISTRICT STAFF REPORT TO: Infrastructure Services Committee May 5, 2016 AUTHOR: SUBJECT: Bryan Shoji, General Manager Infrastructure Services WATER SUPPLY STATUS UPDATE RECOMMENDATION(S) THAT the report titled Water Supply Status Update be received for information. BACKGROUND The SCRD manages nine water systems throughout the region supplied by over thirteen water sources. The largest water system is the Chapman system that supplies water to 80% of the region s population and 90% of SCRD water customers. The SCRD has initiated the Drought Management Plan (DMP) for the 2016 summer season by calling Stage 1 Water Use Restrictions on May 1, Stage 1 is called on May 1 st every year to promote responsible outdoor water use heading into the drier summer months and restricts outdoor water sprinkling times. This report is provided to inform the Committee on the region s water supply status heading into the summer dry season. DISCUSSION The region s water systems are typically dependent on rainfall to sustain supply through the dry summer season, as snow pack is normally diminished by early summer. Climate Conditions Snow pack volumes do assist by delaying the timing of release of flow from water storage lakes. According to the Provincial River Forecast Centre April 1 st snow survey, snow pack levels are approximately 85% of normal on the South Coast at elevation levels similar to Chapman Lake. The SCRD also re-instituted snow survey measuring this year at Chapman and Edwards Lakes. The last measurement was taken by staff on April 4, 2016, measuring Chapman snow depth at 291 cm and 112% of historical averages. Snow pack levels are substantially better than this time last year when there was no snow pack. The River Forecast Centre s April report also states that March was a warmer and wetter month than historical averages, and forecasts a high likelihood of above-normal temperatures across British Columbia over the April to June period, and an increased chance of warmer than normal temperatures through the extended forecast period into summer months. April 16 th did see record breaking temperatures that has led to an earlier than normal snow melt, which the River Forecast Centre estimates is 2 to 3 weeks early. Temperatures have receded to more seasonal norms over the past week. 3

4 Staff Report to Infrastructure Services Committee Water Supply Status Update Page 2 of 4 Based on current snow pack levels and climate information, the SCRD water systems are better positioned than last year heading into the summer and is currently projected to lead to a more normal opening of the Chapman Lake dam in early to mid-july. For comparison, the Chapman Lake dam was opened on May 29 th last year; the earliest opening on record. Even though seasonal conditions are close to normal, a prolonged drought period through the summer and early fall could still deplete water storage levels, as experienced in 2012 when the dam was actually opened later than normal. Water use also tends to increase with warmer temperatures, which will also place additional strain on supply. Drought Management Plan Stage Restrictions and Communications The SCRD has a detailed communication plan in place that is initiated each year heading into the Stage 1 announcement. The communication plan has been deployed in its current structure for the past two years, with refinements made annually based on lessons learned. Stage 2 for the Regional Water System will be called once the Chapman Lake dam is opened. Calling Stage 2 earlier will not assist with extending water supply capacity as it would only reduce consumption of water that is overflowing the dam and would otherwise discharge to the ocean and not needed to maintain environmental flows. Following Stage 2, the calling of further Stages is rainfall and water system dependent. Periodic rainfall events through the summer months is generally adequate to maintain capacity to sustain the region through to fall. Chapman Lake responds rapidly to rainfall; last summer the lake fully recharged after four days of rain. However, should a prolonged drought period persist, increased Stage restrictions may be called after detailed assessment of the following primary criteria: Water storage availability Consumption rates Environmental creek flows Climate conditions and projections The end goal is to maintain enough water storage until the fall rains arrive. Stages 3 and 4 may be called separately for Area A surface water systems and mainland groundwater supplied systems (in coordination with the Town of Gibsons). Drought management communications and public response resulted in water consumption reductions of 36% in Stage 3 and 50% in Stage 4, during the record breaking 2015 drought. These results are strong indications that the communications campaign was effective. Education and Outreach The SCRD promotes water conservation throughout the year and employs a Water Conservation Assistant position from May to the end of August that hosts information displays at community events and carries out sprinkling patrols. The Water Conservation Assistant position was extended to a 0.9 FTE position over the past year to assist with delivering the universal water metering communications, which has also assisted with promoting water conservation MAY-05 Water Supply Status Update rpt to ISC 4

5 Staff Report to Infrastructure Services Committee Water Supply Status Update Page 3 of 4 The following is a list of outreach efforts carried out since the launch of the universal metering communications in December, and future planned events: Outreach Event/Action Date Universal Metering mail-out to residents December 24 Updates to website December January (ongoing) Sunnycrest Mall Information Booth January 13, 30 February 24 March 8 Trail Bay Mall Information Booth January 21 February 6 March 9 Roberts Creek Library Information Booth February 16, 18 Community Association Meetings - West Howe Sound - Egmont and Earl s Cove - Elphinstone - Halfmoon Bay - Sechelt Community Associations Presidents - Roberts Creek Community Events - Deepening Community Connections (Sunshine Coast Conservation Association) - Earth Day, Roberts Creek - Spring into Sechelt - Sechelt Community Associations Water Conservation Event - Home and Garden Show, Gibsons April 13 May 10 May 11 Pending May 17 May 25 February 27 April 22 April 30 May 15 June 18 Supply Development As outlined in the Comprehensive Regional Water Plan (CRWP) that was adopted in 2013, and as witnessed during the 2015 record breaking drought, the Chapman water system storage capacity is not adequate to withstand the targeted 1:25 year design drought scenario at current water consumption rates. In order to increase the resiliency of the Chapman water system, the SCRD is working to develop more supply by lowering the Chapman Lake outlet channel by five metres. The supply project is targeting a summer 2016 completion date, which is subject to receiving timely regulatory approvals. Should approvals not be received in time for summer 2016 construction, the temporary siphon system may be deployed should drought conditions warrant MAY-05 Water Supply Status Update rpt to ISC 5

6 Staff Report to Infrastructure Services Committee Water Supply Status Update Page 4 of 4 STRATEGIC PLAN AND RELATED POLICIES Supports the Strategic Plan priority to Embed Environmental Leadership through responsible management of the region s water resources. CONCLUSION The SCRD called Stage 1 water use restrictions on May 1, 2016, in accordance with the Drought Management Plan and standard practice. Based on current snow pack levels and climate information, the SCRD water systems are better positioned than last year heading into the summer and is currently projected to lead to a more normal opening of the Chapman Lake dam in early to mid-july. Stage 2 restrictions will be called once the Chapman Lake dam is opened. Further water use restrictions are system and rainfall dependent, and also subject to progress on the Chapman Lake water supply expansion project. Longer term forecast is for warmer than normal temperatures into summer months. Reviewed by: Manager Finance GM X-BS Legislative CAO X-JL Other 2016-MAY-05 Water Supply Status Update rpt to ISC 6