Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) Board Members will look to the provincial government for help following issues of rural squatting and backcountry dumping in the region.
Board Director Norma Blissett says a few Cranbrook residents brought her attention to the situation of dumping on Crown land.
“They are concerned about burned and abandoned vehicles that have been left out there along with other garbage,” said Blissett.
“It needs to be cleaned up, but there doesn’t seem to be a mechanism for that to happen right now. They have contacted the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Lands and Natural Resources, but they have not had a positive response.”
The RDEK has limited power over the situation, as Crown land lies under provincial jurisdiction.
“Things have changed. There are a number of people living in the backcountry and we need to address the issue,” said Blissett.
“Government is not always nimble to address changing circumstances and as a regional district and municipalities, we need to write letters to the provincial governments and advocate for them to make this a priority for their budgeting process.”
While the RDEK may not be able to make a direct decision on what to do, Blissett says they can make their voices heard in Victoria.
“We need to be writing letters and speaking to the Ministers. We need to tell them this is a priority because this is a fire hazard that affects our backcountry and communities,” said Blissett.
Elkford Mayor Steve Fairbairn says it’s also an issue in areas north of the community.
“Last summer, we had a situation where people were bringing their RVs and setting them up in neighbourhoods in Area A. I’ve even seen photos of the fencing people are putting up around their pseudo-property,” said Fairbairn.
“At the end of the season, the RVs get torched or they get abandoned, sometimes they get hauled away.”
Illegal dumping is also a major concern with the ongoing squatting.
“There’s also the issue of unsightly pollution. They’re basically mini dumps being created in our backcountry that we value,” said Blissett.
“Most of us live here because we love the nature that surrounds us and we don’t want to see it get destroyed.”
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