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Open house on air quality

Organizers seeking input on air quality management plan

Here’s a chance to make sure residents of the Sea to Sky region can all breath easier. The Sea to Sky Air Quality Coordinating Committee is hosting an open house at the Village of Pemberton Chambers at 1350 Aster Street on Tuesday, Jan. 23 from 3 to 7 p.m.

The committee will be making two presentations, at 3:30 p.m. and at 6 p.m. So far, the plan has identified a vision, goals and actions that are needed to protect and improve air quality in the Sea to Sky region.

Cindy Walsh, a Ministry of Environment meteorologist, says that the increasing number of hazy days means its time to look at a strategy to e nsure Sea to Sky communities continue to enjoy healthy air.

“Although the corridor currently enjoys relatively clean, healthy air, trends are showing that if we don’t start to plan to protect our air it may begin to impact our health and the environment. In fact, last summer an air quality advisory was issued in Squamish.” Walsh commented in a press release.

“Poor air quality is caused by releases of air contaminants primarily from the burning of fossil fuels. Industrial processes also release air contaminants but there are few large industries in the Sea to Sky corridor. Therefore, the Sea to Sky Air Quality Management Plan focuses mostly on transportation and space heating.”

The Sea to Sky corridor includes the communities along the eastern and western shores of Howe Sound, such as parts of West Vancouver, Horseshoe Bay, Gibsons, Langdale, Lions Bay, Squamish, Whistler, and Pemberton. Representatives from the region’s municipalities and regional districts will be present.

The Sea to Sky Air Quality Coordinating Committee believes that public input is essential to insure that the plan reflects the needs, challenges and opportunities in the community.

To learn more about air quality in the region visit: www.seatoskyairquality.ca .