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Farm control falters

Coldstream isn’t gaining much traction as it tries to get a grip on farm noise.
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Wind turbines over a Lavington cherry orchard are one source of noise complaints among neighbours. (Morning Star file photo)

Coldstream isn’t gaining much traction as it tries to get a grip on farm noise.

Efforts to control noise are proving difficult due to the Right to Farm Act which protects a range of farm-related noise, from bird-scare devices to helicopters.

“Local government has the right to regulate within the ALR (agricultural land reserve) but you can’t prohibit it,” said Gregory Bartle, Ministry of Agriculture land use planner.

Meeting with ministry representatives and Coldstream Monday, Vernon-Monashee MLA Eric Foster, is ready to back Coldstream’s efforts to gain better control.

“I will support which ever way you choose,” said Foster, who advised Coldstream to take a resolution to the Union of B.C. Municipalities.

But that direction isn’t very encouraging when looking at the results, says Coun. Doug Dirk.

“Out of thousands of resolutions out of UBCM only something like six, something actually happened with.”

Instead, Dirk would like to see municipalities granted the ability to create farm zoning, which would allow different zones for different types, such as industrial or small farms.

Bartle advised that the Farm Industry Review Board (a separate entity) may investigate and report on any farm practices.

But that option is also discouraging. Coldstream was part of a two-day FIRB complaint over liquid waste and odour from a local farm years ago.

“Eventually they said it was normal practice,” said Coun. Gyula Kiss of the case that later resulted in criminal charges against Coldstream. “A few years later the same farmer ruined our water. Sometimes I’m not sure that they (FIRB) consider the people complaining.”

Mayor Jim Garlick would like to see a broader study on farm practices, which Foster said he would support and make a phone call on behalf of Coldstream.

The provincial government needs to step up, according to Coun. Richard Enns.

“We are in the position of being asked to regulate the activities even though we are hamstrung to do so. We are limited in what we can do. So we get a lot of unhappy people.”

Other jurisdictions have implemented noise control bylaws - the Regional District of North Okanagan, Summerland and Richmond. But there is only so much control.

“Richmond can only regulate certain things,” said Keri-Ann Austin, Coldstream’s director of corporate administration. “They can’t regulate noise from the airport, they can’t regulate noise from the highways and they can’t regulate noise from farming.”

Meanwhile Abbotsford, Langley, Delta and Kelowna have gained ministry approval to be Right to Farm regulated. Although it can be onerous, it allows local governments to adopt farm bylaws that become a land-use regulation.

Regional agrologist Laura Code says the issue is becoming more prevalent with the high number of people living near farms. In fact, 81 per cent of B.C.’s population lives in the two largest farming areas - Okanagan and Lower Mainland.

“This is creating a lot of potential for land use conflict,” said Code, a Ministry of Agricultural representative.

And farming is changing and growing. In the North Okanagan between 1996 and 2011 the total farmland area has grown from 58,721 to 84,339. But the number of farms have decreased by 20 in that period as the average farm size has increased. Farming capital has also grown, nearly triple in fact.

Cherries are one industry that is moving from the south to the central and north Okanagan. Approximately 98 per cent of B.C.’s cherries are grown the Okanagan, making up 3,000 acres, 300 producers, 20 packing houses and exporting to 20 countries.

But with that move there has been an increase in complaints in the area due to spraying, wind turbines and helicopters. Last year saw a high helicopter use due to rain.

“It was possibly the most frequent usage ever,” said Code, adding that it costs between $1,200-$1,500 an hour for helicopter use so it’s not something farmers can afford to divulge in.

A 2004 FIRB decision suggested the farmer notify neighbours of intent to use helicopters so precautions can be taken.

But when it comes down to it, Coldstream wants some control over an industry that’s in their backyard and they gain little benefit from.

“The local area absorbs all the issues and all the benefits go somewhere else, all the benefits of the products go somewhere else,” said Dirk. “And whether it’s generating billions of dollars or it’s sitting vacant we get the same tax dollars.”

Coldstream is looking at including decibel levels in a noise regulation bylaw, similar to RDNO.



Jennifer Smith

About the Author: Jennifer Smith

Vernon has always been my home, and I've been working at The Morning Star since 2004.
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