REQUEST FOR DECISION
DATE: October 31, 2017 Report No. DEV-17-064
TO: Laurie Hurst, Chief Administrative Officer
FROM: Marlene Lagoa, Community Development Coordinator
Bill Brown, Director of Development Services
SUBJECT:
Title
Air Quality and Wood Burning
End
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
That the Township of Esquimalt promote awareness around local burning regulations and the health effects of wood smoke using existing communication channels.
Body
RELEVANT POLICY:
BC Solid Fuel Burning Domestic Appliance Regulation
Fire Protection and Control Bylaw, 2011, No. 2783
Maintenance of Property and Nuisance Regulation Bylaw, 2014, No. 2826
STRATEGIC RELEVANCE:
Air quality is not part of Council’s strategic priorities or any current staff work plan.
BACKGROUND:
The purpose of this report is to outline the impact of the Environmental Advisory Committee’s recommendation concerning public education and incentive program for wood stoves on municipal operations and Council’s Strategic Plan.
At the October 23, 2017 Regular Council Meeting, the following motion was carried:
“That the Letter from Island Health, dated October 6, 2017, Re: Air Quality Related
Health Concerns Due to Domestic Wood Burning and Backyard Burning be referred to the Environmental Advisory Committee to explore alternate options and incentives to domestic wood burning to encourage Esquimalt residents of alternate heating opportunities.”
A copy of the letter from Island Health is enclosed as Appendix A. The letter suggests that local governments address air quality issues due to wood and backyard burning using one or more of the following options:
1. Update and/or implement air quality bylaws with more stringent controls on the type and use of wood burning appliances.
2. Offer an incentive program that promotes alternative heating sources to wood.
3. Create a social marketing and educational campaign that provides awareness of the health effects due to wood stoves.
4. Implement bylaws that restrict backyard burning.
At the October 26, 2017 Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting, the following motion as carried:
“That the Township of Esquimalt support a social marketing and educational campaign to raise awareness of the impact of wood smoke on air quality and health as well as expand the existing oil to heat pump incentive program to include uncertified wood stove appliances to heat pump.”
A copy of the Memorandum from the Environmental Advisory Committee to Council is attached as Appendix B. The memorandum highlights the groups discussion that led up to the committee’s above recommendation to Council.
ISSUES:
1. Rationale for Selected Option
As the issue of air quality is not a Council strategic priority, staff recommends that the Township only promote awareness around local burning regulations and the health effects of wood smoke on air quality and health using existing communication channels.
Historical air quality reports indicate that daily concentrations of fine particular matter emission at Esquimalt’s two closest monitoring sites (Victoria and Colwood) falls below the national standard. Vancouver Island communities that exceeded the national standard include Courtenay and Port Alberni. Furthermore, the CRD has already considered - and decided not to move forward with - applying to the provincial wood stove replacement program. The Township received one bylaw complaint related to the burning of garbage this year. There were no complaints related to wood smoke.
Air quality due to wood smoke is not as significant of a concern in Esquimalt as it is in other Vancouver Island communities. Regardless, greater awareness of the effects of wood burning on air quality and health can be achieved through public education on wood burning bylaws and best practices.
2. Organizational Implications
The use of existing Township communication channels is an effective approach - both in staff time and cost - to bring awareness around the issue of wood burning and air quality.
To implement the Environmental Advisory Committee’s recommendation would require a greater amount of staff time. If Council wishes to consider the committee’s recommendation further, it is recommended that Council direct staff to prepare a business case to implement the committee’s recommendations for consideration at the next strategic planning session.
3. Financial Implications
There are no financial implications to implementing staff’s recommendation.
At this time the financial implications of the Environmental Advisory Committee’s recommendation is unknown. Development of a business case is recommended to determine potential costs as described under 2. Organizational Implications.
4. Sustainability & Environmental Implications
The staff recommendation will include education around the option of switching from an inefficient wood burning heating appliance to an alternative “greener” heating source such as an electric heat pump.
The Environmental Advisory Committee’s recommendation is to provide a $150 incentive to residents that switch from an uncertified wood stove appliance to heat pump. The incentive may encourage homeowners to switch to a cleaner energy source; however, participant up-take is anticipated to be low. The Township has issued the following number of building permits since 2005: 33 chimneys; 31 inserts; and 41 wood stoves.
5. Communication & Engagement
Education on local burning regulations and the health effects of wood smoke can be communicated using these existing channels: news release, website, social media, and “Current” community newsletter.
ALTERNATIVES:
1. That the Township of Esquimalt promote awareness around local burning regulations and the health effects of wood smoke using existing communication channels.
2. That Council direct staff to prepare a business case to implement the Environmental Advisory Committee’s recommendations for Council’s consideration at its next strategic planning session.
3. That Council provide alternative direction to staff.