South Okanagan conservation program subject to alternate approval process

PENTICTON – Regional district residents opposed to an Environmental Conservaton Service in the South Okanagan have until Dec. 5 to voice their opposition.

Regional district of Okanagan Similkameen directors gave the go ahead to initiate the alternate approval process for a new Environmental Conservation Service at last week’s regional district board meeting.

Taxpayers opposed to the service have until 4:30 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 5 to collect at least 5,603 signatures against implementation of the service to stop the bylaw from proceeding under the alternate approval process, which requires 10 per cent of the number of eligible voters to whom the service would apply.

The conservation fund, which is expected to add an average of $10 annually to the average regional property valued at $343,000, will create a $500,000 annual fund that can be leveraged with other sources of funding to support regional environmental initiatives.

The initiative only applies to the South Okanagan and does not include Similkameen jurisdictions.

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