Air Quality Information and Programs

Air Quality Health Index for Central Okanagan

The Regional District of Central Okanagan has been involved for more than a dozen years with programs designed to increase public awareness, educate and involve the public in protecting our airshed.  We have made and continue to make great strides in improving the quality of the air we all share in the Central Okanagan.  But there is more we can do as we work together!

If you'd like to learn more about how you can help improve our air quality including anti-idling, indoor wood burning videos and the Agricultural Chipping Program, please check out any of the program links below or contact Regional Air Quality Coordinator Kate Bergen at 250-469-8408.

• Regional Air Quality Program initiatives and information.
   
• Outdoor Burning Information -
  Depending on the fire hazard, season normally runs October 1st to April 30th throughout the Central Okanagan.  Only eligible property owners with a permit from their local fire authority will be allowed to burn after phoning the Open Burning Hotline 1-855-262-2876 which will tell them whether venting and air quality permit burning that day. 
  
  The Air Quality Program encourages all Central Okanagan residents to use Alternatives to Open Burning whenever possible.
   
  The outdoor burning season is regulated in the Central Okanagan East and Central Okanagan West Electoral Areas in part by the Regional Fire Prevention and Regulations Bylaw No. 1066 and the Smoke Control Bylaw No. 773.  Member municipal governments have similar regulations, which empower local fire chiefs to determine the open burning season. 
  • Outdoor burning is banned on all properties that are less than one hectare (2.47 acres) in size in the Central Okanagan East and Central Okanagan West Electoral Areas of the Regional District and in the City of Kelowna, District of West Kelowna, District of Lake Country and District of Peachland.
  • A permit is required from your local fire authority for those eligible to burn outdoors.   
  • During open burning season, before igniting any open fire, the permit holder must confirm that burning is allowed on that day by calling the Outdoor Burning Hotline 1-855-262-2876 which provides the daily Air Quality and Venting Indices.  Both indices must be good before burning is allowed.

  For regulations and information regarding Outdoor Burning, please contact your local fire authority or click on this link .
   

• Anti- Idling Information - motorists can each help to improve our air quality and reduce health impacts by not allowing their vehicles to idle while stopped for more than ten seconds.  By not idling a light duty vehicle for just three minutes a day, at 99.9 cents/litre you'd use 25 fewer litres of fuel a year, save over $2,500 and prevent 62 kilograms of greenhouse gas emissions!
  •  Anti-Idling Signs Available - View News Release
  • Check out the Individual Idling Impact Calculator.
  • BC Idle Reduction Initiative webpage
    • Take the Pledge to be Idle Free!
  • Natural Resources Canada webpages
    • Anti-Vehicle Idling initiatives for Individuals
    • Anti-Vehicle Idling initiatives for Businesses
    • Idle-free initiatives for Communities and Governments
       
• BC Air Quality Health Index website for the Central Okanagan and links to other BC communities
   
• Regional Agricultural Wood Waste Chipping Program
  • Agricultural Waste Disposal - Best Practices Guide
  • Punjabi Version
  • YouTube Video Link : www.youtube.com/user/hookgraphics
     
• General information on the Regional Wood Stove Change Out Program
  • 2012 Great Okanagan Woodstove Change Out Program details,
  • Poster Information
  • Participating Retailers
     
• Indoor Wood Heating
  Information and Tips on efficient Wood Heating

  Environment Canada Wood Heating Information and Videos
  (To view you may need the free Windows Media Player)

  • Residential Wood Heating webpage
  • CMHC Guide to Residential Wood Heating
  • Firewood from the forest to the shed
  • Proper Woodstove Operation
  • Advanced Woodstove Technology
     
• NEW - HPBA Wood Burning Information and Videos
  (To view you may need the free Windows Media Player)
  • Five Rules to Follow for an Efficient Fire
  • How to buy, split and store wood
  • Introduction to wood stoves
  • Troubleshooting Information for Wood Stoves and Fireplace Inserts
  • Safety and Maintenance Information for Wood Stoves and Fireplace Inserts
  • How to Burn Wisely with an EPA Non-Catalytic Stove
  • How to Burn Wisely with an EPA Catalytic Stove
     
• BC Scrap It Program

The Air Quality Committee was disbanded with the incorporation of the Westside District Municipality in December 2007.  Air Quality issues are now being discussed by the Governance and Services Committee.  Link to Regional Board and Committee Schedule or Governance and Services Committee webpage.

The Air Quality Committee was made up of members of the Regional Board.  When it met during 2007, Westside Director David Knowles was the Chair, while Kelowna Mayor Sharon Shepherd acted as Vice-Chair.

The Committee was charged with the development and implementation of an Air Quality Management Plan for the Regional District of the Central Okanagan subject to Regional Board approval.  (The management plan will remain flexible and responsive to changing public priorities, to financial partnerships, to new program opportunities and to current research.)  On May 14, 2007 the Regional Board adopted the Central Okanagan Air Quality Management Plan

Public and Expert Input:  Public input was invited on appropriate issues relevant to the development of the Air Quality Management Plan. Technical, professional or expert input on specific issues was sought directly with the appropriate individuals, groups, or organizations capable of providing it.

Air Quality Plan Development Process:

• Determine the existing state and projected trends for the air quality in the Central Okanagan area.
• Determine the potential health effects related to the state and projected trends of air quality in the Central Okanagan area.
• Develop air quality management goals. Determination that the necessary authorities can be coordinated or put in place to meet air quality management goals.
• Determine the additional data requirements and research needs necessary to develop the air quality management plan including the identification of potential funding sources and undertake to secure such.
• Draft the Air Quality Management Plan and prepare implementation strategies to attain the air quality goals.
• Submit the draft plan and implementation strategies for review and approval of affected agencies.
• Finalize the plan and co-ordinate the implementation.

General Objectives of the Committee:

• Facilitate an open process of communication on regional air quality management issues among private sector, government (municipal, provincial, federal and international), non-government public interest groups and the general public.

• Establish an on-going opportunity for stakeholders to keep up to date and informed on Central Okanagan air quality management progress and on air quality initiatives being developed or implemented.

• Provide a forum for consultation partners and stakeholders to present proposed new initiatives for the purpose of review, discussion and reporting back to constituent groups.

• Provide advice and feedback among consultation partners, agency staff and stakeholders on air quality management priorities and concerns.  

Goals of the Committee: Within the Central Okanagan Region, air quality management activities are directed at achieving the following goals.

•  To ensure that citizens in the Central Okanagan have healthy air to breathe.

•   To integrate regional air quality goals into all policies, including land use & transportation planning.

•   To educate and inform communities on air quality issues.

•  To lead by example and bring about changes in behaviour as needed to protect air quality.

•  To ensure comprehensive monitoring of air quality.

•   To harmonize regional air quality initiatives with the objectives of other agencies and levels of government. 

Issues to deal with:  Air Quality Monitoring, Education and Awareness and Public Involvement including but not limited to matters such as: Fine Particulates, Ozone, Vehicle Emissions, Vehicle Numbers, Open Burning, Wood Burning Appliances, Industrial Emissions, Dust from Roads, Dust from Industry, Managing Air Quality, Co-ordination with other groups and organizations, Agency Co-operation, Episode Management, Economic Issues, Greenhouse Gas Reductions, Energy Efficiency, Integrated Land Use Planning, Transportation Planning, Total Maximum Daily Load, Emissions Inventory, Health Costs, Speciation Analysis, Dispersion Modeling, and Monitoring Progress 

(NO LONGER ACTIVE - Link to Regional Board and Committee Schedule or Governance and Services Committee webpage.)

Click here for the list of Committee Agenda
Click here for a list of approved Committee Minutes