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Pemberton embarks on single-use items reduction strategy

Council Briefs: Bylaw adjudication and Friendship Trail Bridge construction
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Single-Use Pemberton has begun developing a strategy to reduce the use of single-use items such as plastic bags. www.shutterstock.com

The Village of Pemberton is getting the ball rolling on a single-use reduction strategy.

As part of an effort to reduce waste and fight climate change, it is considering banning or charging a levy for single-use plastic bags, straws, foam containers and coffee cups.

At its Sept. 4 regular council meeting, Village of Pemberton council directed staff to administer two separate surveys to Pemberton's business community and the public to gain a better understanding of the best course of action to take.

"Before we take another step, it's time to consult with the community and business community to see if we can make that work," said Richman. "What we're looking at is a ban or a levy or perhaps a combination of the two. So maybe some items are banned and some you pay for."

Bylaw Dispute Adjudication System

The Village of Pemberton voted to develop a Bylaw Notice Dispute Adjudication System at its Sept. 4 regular council meeting.

The Village currently uses a court-based model where disputed tickets are dealt with in the provincial court system. The process is seen as costly, and a drain on resources, as Pemberton staff or legal counsel is required to go to court when a ticket is disputed.

Once in place, the new system will see an adjudicator, brought in periodically, rule on disputed tickets. It will apply to minor municipal bylaw violations in areas such as animal control, business licences, zoning, signs, parking, building code, noise infractions and fire prevention.

The new adjudication system was made possible by provincial legislation passed in 2003 and has been embraced by over 80 B.C. municipalities. With the new system in place, the Village will also have an easier time giving out tickets, as under the current court-based system bylaw enforcement is required to give out tickets in person.

"With this system you don't have to hand deliver the ticket," explained Richman. But that doesn't mean Pemberton residents can expect a dramatic rise in ticketing.

"We're very committed to education first. A lot of people move to an area like this because they don't want to be overregulated," said Richman. "This is more about how we manage the whole process."

Friendship Trail Bridge Construction Underway

As is clear for anyone travelling along Highway 99 in recent weeks, construction is underway on the Friendship Trail Bridge, which will cross the Lillooet River on the south side of the existing highway bridge.

Once completed, the Friendship Trail and bridge will provide a safe, linear, multi-use trail between Lil'wat Nation and the Village of Pemberton.

The first phase of the construction process began on Aug. 21 and will continue to Sept. 16. The work is being conducted on a quick timeline in order to respect a fisheries construction window established by the province.

When completed in the fall, the Friendship Trail Bridge will cross the Lillooet River, on the south side of the existing highway bridge.

"The goal is to get the pilings all in and all the water work in, and after that they'll stretch out the spans and connect the bridge," said Richman.

The $1,368,000 project is being built by Surespan, a construction company based in North Vancouver.