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Regional district director wants policy, plan for clean-ups like in Penticton

The director wants better organization and communication for handling Crown land and multijurisdictional clean-ups
encampment
An industrial-sized bin has been delivered to a local encampment as 100 More Homes Penticton gears up to lead a community clean-up.

The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen (RDOS) board of directors will consider whether they want to have staff work on putting together a cohesive plan for handling community clean-ups like the one that recently took place in Penticton. 

Rural Keremeos Director Tim Roberts provided notice on June 5 of the motion that will be considered at the next RDOS board meeting on June 19.

"I'm dealing with multiple clean-up areas and lots of volunteers, and I'd like to see a formal process," said Roberts. "I'd like to be able to have a streamlined process and staff are able to direct to the appropriate agencies using communication, because otherwise what we're doing is it's either that the director trying to make those different phone calls or it's the individual."

The motion specifically calls for having a policy and plan in place to organize clean-ups on Crown land or land that falls under multiple jurisdictions. 

Roberts cited recent clean-ups in Hedley and Olalla, as well as the clean-up at the Fairview encampment for unhoused individuals in Penticton. The clean-ups in his area cost up to $40,000. 

He also added that he is currently working on dealing with another clean-up at a forest service road in his area. 

One of the difficulties of these clean-ups is the multiple different organizations and levels of government that are involved, and he cited having to deal with the Ministry of Forests, the Ministry of Transportation, and the RCMP as some examples. 

"What's happening right now seems to be a one-off each time," said Roberts. 

The motion will be discussed by the other directors when it returns before the board. 



Brennan Phillips

About the Author: Brennan Phillips

Brennan was raised in the Okanagan and is thankful every day that he gets to live and work in one of the most beautiful places in Canada.
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