Lorne Lewis (Area E candidate) views on open burning

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I supported the Roberts Creek Burning by law while it made its way through the SCRD committee and board process. What was discussed at the time was that if this by law was possible to implement then other areas could move towards their own burning by laws. For a by law to be successful it must have the respect of the public and be practical to enforce. As you might guess burning is a divisive issue in Elphinstone and considerable public consultation will be necessary for the prospective by law to gain popular support. It is topical to say that, after some waiting , that the Province is getting tougher on large burns... an action which I endorse and intend to see enforced in Elphinstone.

This was done in Roberts Creek, and the intention is to model our Elphinstone process after it. The result in Roberts Creek appears to have public acceptance of the process and we look forward to see how implementation goes. Our volunteer fire departments don't have the resources to enforce such by laws so that job will fall on the shoulders our by law enforcement officers.

So what I can promise is a fair and open process in working towards a by law. As the process in Roberts Creek lead toward a "made in Roberts Creek" solution, ours will be a "made in Elphinstone" solution. In the mean time I will encourage residents to use the green waste facility or to compost rather than burn. In Elphinstone we support the green waste facility on Henry Road through our taxes and many of our residents use it. I have brought this up at many Elphinstone Electors meetings and in a number of flyers, I will continue to support the use of this facility and to encourage residents not to burn.

Thank you for this opportunity.

Lorne Lewis
SCRD Director for Elphinstone