The Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District has three open houses remaining to share its proposed waste reduction plan. Residents in Beaver Creek, Cherry Creek and Sproat Lake will be able to learn about the eight proposed strategies to help reduce solid waste in the region.
Regional district officials have spent the past year updating the ACRD's Solid Waste Management Plan (SWMP) with draft guiding principles, goals and strategies based on public input last year.
"The plan has grown so much since we last heard from the public," said Tom Stere, vice-chair of the Solid Waste Advisory Committee for the ACRD. "This is an opportunity for the public to help refine our work before a draft plan is developed."
Open houses have already been held in Port Alberni, Ucluelet and Tofino.
Regional districts are required to create plans for managing waste. The ACRD's current Solid Waste Management Plan is more than 10 years old and, says an ACRD official, "the goals it established have been achieved." The regional district is developing a new plan "that reflects the needs of the region today."
The project is in Phase 2 (consultation), and a draft plan is due to the provincial government in spring 2025. The target is to reduce waste in the ACRD by 35 percent by 2035.
Open house schedule:
– Wednesday, Nov. 6, Beaver Creek Community Hall (8505 Beaver Creek Rd.) from 5–7 p.m.;
– Thursday, Nov. 7, Sproat Lake Community Hall (9346 Bomber Base Rd.) from 5–7 p.m.;
– Wednesday, Nov. 13, Cherry Creek Community Hall (3720 Moore Rd.) from 5–7 p.m.
Residents may also share their feedback online at www.letsconnectacrd.ca/swmp before Nov. 20, 2024.
