In a week where Canada faced international criticism during the UN Climate Conference for replacing the Kyoto Protocol on greenhouse gas emissions with the Conservative government's Clean Air Act, Sea to Sky residents may perhaps breath easier with the announcement of a Sea to Sky Corridor Air Quality Management Plan.
The District of Squamish, in partnership with the provincial government, is doing their part for clean air with a draft air quality management plan (AQMP) to be presented during a city hall open house on Monday (Nov. 20) from 3 to 7 p.m. - with presentations at 3:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.
"Although the corridor currently enjoys relatively clean, healthy air, trends show that if communities don't start to plan to protect air quality now it may begin to impact communities' health and environment," states a district news release.
In the summer of 2004, an air quality advisory was issued for Squamish, which had been impacted by emissions of "common air contaminants" (CACs) mostly due to transportation and building heating. And impacts are expected to continue to grow as population and tourism increase.
The AQMP is a regional, collaborative action plan for protecting air quality and "keeping clean areas clean". It was developed by the Sea-to-Sky Air Quality Co-ordinating Committee (AQCC), which consists of provincial, regional and municipal government representatives of the corridor, transit companies, utility companies and local industry. Through open houses, the AQCC and councils hope to incorporate public comments into the plan.
"Public input is an important part of the process as it allows the AQCC and councils to better understand the needs, challenges and opportunities in the community," states the news release.The plan includes a 20-year vision for air quality in the corridor, goals for 2025 and an implementation and monitoring plan to help "keep it on track".
Sea-to-Sky communities have already demonstrated their commitment to adopting practices that will contribute to air quality management, according to the AQMP pamphlet.
"Notable examples include the Squamish Lillooet Regional District's (SLRD) Regional Growth Strategy, and municipal initiatives such as adoption of Smart Growth principles, integrated energy, greenhouse gas and air quality management planning, and backyard burning bylaws."
Squamish council is doing its part with energy consultants such Sebastian Moffett who presented council with energy use alternatives on behalf of the Sheltair Group at a Committee of the Whole meeting on Tuesday (Nov. 14).
Moffett said the municipality can begin energy saving methods with the district's fleet of vehicles, buildings and street lighting.
"The future of sustainability requires that you address energy use absolutely," he said. "You have to take a leadership role."
To learn more about the AQMP go to the Sea-to-Sky Air Quality website at
