Clean Air Society Involved in Effort to Ban Developers’ Burns

about us campaigns

News and Blog

Clean Air Society Involved in Effort to Ban Developers’ Burns

This Fall the Sechelt Council will consider an amendment to the District of Sechelt's Burn Bylaw that will prohibit developers' burns. Currently the Burn Bylaw prohibits backyard burning. However when developers clear the land of trees, they are not prohibited from burning huge amounts of wood as long as they have a permit issued by the fire department. Sometimes these burns go on for days causing air pollution and difficulties for those with asthma and other respiratory illnesses. The current amendment would prohibit developers' from burning these slash piles.

Many health problems are associated with wood smoke pollution. Exposure to particulates penetrates deep into the lungs and is linked to asthma, acute respiratory symptoms, chronic bronchitis, and decreased lung function. Dr. Paul Martiquet, Medical Health Officer for the Sunshine Coast, spoke in favor of a ban on developers' burns at a Town Hall Meeting in April of this year. Jeff Hoag, president of the SC Clean Air Society (SCCAS) testified at the same Town Hall Meeting saying that alternatives to burning already exist.

The opposition to the ban on developers' burning would be from developers who oppose the increased costs of chipping or hauling the wood to Howe Sound Pulp and Paper to be used as hog fuel.

A Tree Bylaw, passed October 2009 by the Sechelt Council, requires owners/developers of plots more than one hectare in size to submit a tree protection plan. This requirement might encourage developers to keep more trees on the lot, thus saving themselves chipping, hauling, or landscaping costs.

Members of the SCCAS and some community organizations submitted personal public comment supporting a ban on developers' burns. Thank you for your help! Our comments let the Sechelt Council know that there's public support for this ban.

Last Fall, Heather Waddell, director of the SC Clean Air Society, made a presentation to the Sechelt Council advocating a ban on developers' burns. The Council members were very supportive at that time. We're encouraged that an amendment to the Burn Bylaw that will ban developers' burns can be adopted. We'll keep you posted.

Submitted by Elizabeth McNeill