Thompson-Nicola Regional District (TNRD) Area E Director Sally Watson has voiced concerns over her board’s consideration of landfill closures.
Eagan Lake and Loon Lake landfills are both targeted for possible closures.
The 70 Mile House area representative says the area residents would then be faced with using the next closest waste disposal site, which would leave those at Eagan Lake travelling to Little Fort, and in all kinds of road conditions.
The sizable population in Loon Lake, which Watson notes increases significantly in the summer, would be left to carry its trash to Clinton.
The majority of these residents head to 100 Mile House for their business and shopping needs, she explains.
“I was hoping [the board] could come to the decision that the solid waste management taxes for the area surrounding the Eagan Lake Transfer Station could be sent to the [Cariboo Regional District (CRD)], so the people around there could take their garbage to the [South Cariboo] on their way to 100 Mile House to do their business.”
Watson recently reminded TNRD directors a decision was made years ago to direct the hospital taxes for the northern part of Area E to the Cariboo Chilcotin Regional District Hospital board, because that’s where the residents go for hospitalization.
In the past couple of years, a change was also made to a portion of Area E taxes that go toward Search & Rescue, which are now paid to the CRD, where the base of these operations is located.
Her previous request to take the idea to the TNRD Solid Waste Management Committee garnered a negative response from the board, so instead of seeking that permission again, she asked them to have staff to work on the idea.
“This time, they sent me to the committee, which can’t meet until late in February. What we’re getting is a stall tactic.”
Regarding whether residents would like to move their Area E into the CRD region, Watson says that possibility has been in question for as long as she has been on the board.
The area director explains she doesn’t know how such a move might work, but at the same time, questions why the regional district boundary lines were placed where there were.
“Geographically, we belong in the Cariboo, but I see no motion to move to the [CRD] at this time.”
While some area residents think about and discuss a potential border change, Watson notes there are both good and bad aspects associated with either side of the fence.
“To make a move [to the CRD] would have to be done in Victoria, and I actually think the best move would be to split the TNRD board, because it’s a 25-seat board. It’s really hard to get anything done.”
Watson says that given a choice, she would probably favour the board split over moving Area E to the CRD.
