Boundary Air Quality Committee
Mandate Statement
To develop an air quality management plan that improves the quality of life and health in the Boundary Region while sustaining a viable economic base.
Improved Air Quality!
In the spring of 2009 Paul Willis shared an Excel spreadsheet of the PM data measured by the two partisols as well as the TEOM over the last 3 years. From that table the BAQC has constructed the chart below that shows the continuous lowering of PM 2.5 in the airshed.
BAQC Upcoming Dates
The next meeting of the BAQC is 11:00 AM Thursday, September 16th at the Regional District offices in Grand Forks. Public welcome.
Dispersion Modelling Study
In the summer of 2009 the BAQC contracted with SNC-Lavalin to complete a study of the know air contaminants and their dispersal throughout the Boundary Airshed. This project combined known meteorological information together with the contaminants from industrial, municipal, and mobile sources for the year 2007. Using computer simulations the contractor was able to map the major areas affected by the different contaminants. A draft was submitted to the Ministry of the Environment in the spring of 2010 for comments. These comments were taken into account to create the following draft and appendices. Click here to download. The BAQC will be considering this draft and its ramifications before making recommendations to Council this fall. After receiving MoE comments the contractor made some changes to report. Click here to download those amendments. See the map below for a sample of the information in this lengthy report.
Download the final draft of the Air Quality Management Plan.
This plan was recommended by the previous Council and adopted by the new Council on Dec. 15, 2008
Please email your comments to the BAQC or take them in to city hall.
Wood Stove Exchange Program
The BAQC is also sponsoring a Wood Stove Exchange program. The co-ordinator of this program is John Vere who attended WETT training this spring. The program will be running throughout the summer and the fall and then into next spring. In order to qualify for the $250 provincial grant and the retailers 15%, the homeowner must be replacing an old wood stove with a quality, certified modern wood stove. For more information you can contact John at (250) 442-3856. You can find more information on this BAQC initiative by clicking here .
1. Click here to see current Grand Forks conditions and how our community compares to others around the province.
2. The BAQC Data Page contains historical TEOM and meteorological data as well as current weather conditions.The committee is asking for the public's assistance with the analysis of the TEOM and weather data that it has received.
3. Click here to see and download Grand Forks Current Weather . This data is from the new weather station installed by the BAQC and the city atop City Hall. It is updated every 5 minutes. You can also download weekly, monthly and yearly summaries. Bookmark it!
4. The provincial government has just released its own AirAction Plan to combate air pollution in the province.
New Interfor Permit
This spring the Ministry of the Environment issues International Forest Products a new permit for their operations within the city of Grand Forks. Although delayed for a year due to the economic downturn, this report lays out provincial expectations for the company. Download the permit here. The BAQC will comment on the permit this fall and the public is invited to send their comments into the committee as well.
SENES Consulting completed and released the Emissions Inventory in 2008. This document will have a profound effect on the management of our airshed in the years ahead. It is an essential step in the development of an Air Quality Management Plan.
The provincial government is reviewing guidelines for PM 2.5 and has offered the public the opportunity to comment.
This is the .html version of the Air Quality Survey and Report that was conducted by the committee in December and presented to council in January, 2007. To download the survey, results, and report in their original formats click on the links below.
Air Quality Survey Public Comments
The Community Engagement Team
On October 18, 2007 the Burn it Smart seminar drew a lot of attention. A gathering of 30 citizens enjoyed Zigi's knowledgeable comparison of different wood stove technologies and his advice on how to BURN IT SMART! In the picture above Zigi is showing Rick Evers the moisture content of his firewood.
BAQC Objectives for 2009
- Complete the endorsement of the Air Quality Management Plan by all the stakeholders
- Develop a process to monitor the implementation and progress on the Air Quality Management Plan
- Complete a dispersion modeling of the Boundary Airshed
- Make recommendations to Council on bylaws that will improve air quality
- Make recommendations to Council on any new or existing industrial permits that are provided by the Ministry of Environment for public comment.
Measurement, Analysis and Data Team
This busy sub committee deals with the nuts and bolts of measuring the quality of the airshed. Currently the team is studying the emissions inventory and planning the next step which is Dispersion Modelling. Terms of Reference will be designed and the contract tendered for the study by June 2008.
Industrial Permits
These current permits are public knowledge; however, they are constantly changing. Here are the most current versions: Roxul , Pope & Talbot , Canpar
Currently MoE is rewriting the Pope & Talbot permit. The draft was presented to the BAQC in November for comment. Click here to see the comments provided by the chair of the committee.
Recently MoE did a study of home heating appliances for the city of Golden which does not have access to heat from natural gas.
Click here to see how the different systems compare.
Roxul's Proposed New Permit
Roxul has announced plans to spend 7.5 million on environmental upgrades and plant expansions. Here is the new environmental permit and dispersion modelling for that upgrade.
Draft Permit , Dispersion Modelling , Industrial Emissions 2006, Roxul Emission Inventory 2006 , Stack Tests 1998 - 2006 , 2005 Summary , Site Plan, The Dillon "Peer Review"
Committee Participants
Michele Caskey, BC Lung Association; Cheryl Unger, Interior Health; Mike Reiner, Ministry of the Environment; Paul Willis, Ministry of the Environment; Julia Beatty, Minstry of the Environment; Grace McGregor, Director Area C, Regional District of Kootenay Boundary; Irene Perepolkin, Director Area D, Regional District of Kootenay Boundary; Peter Regenberg, Roxul; Peter Shilton, Roxul; Mike Van Ek, Interfor; John Ketrenos, Pacific Abrasives; Cher Wyers, Chamber of Commerce; Ed Zeberoff, Selkirk Paving; Joe Mottishaw, Emcon Services; Garfield Marshall, Advance Orchards; Alvin Boyer, Ministry of Forests; Larry Ballard, Ministry of Highways; Steve Zibin, Pacific Abrasives; Chris Moslin, Councillor City of Grand Forks: Doug Zorn, Grand Forks Agricultural Society; Sally Garcelon, School District 51; Angela Soukeroff, Grand Forks Credit Union; John Vere, Woodstove Exchange Program
Air Quality PowerPoint Presentation
RDCO Air Quality Committee Terms of Reference
BC Lung Presentations at the Fraser Basin
Regional District of Central Okanagan
BC Air Quality: Information Bulletin
The David Suzuki Foundation Report on Air Quality
BC Air Quality Health Index - AirPlay
Federal-Provincial Working Group on Air Quality Objectives and Guidelines.
Holland Barrs Planning Group Inc. Integration of Air Quality-Related Planning Processes
BC Environmental Appeal Board on Beehive Burners
Bulkley Valley Management Plan
Contact Information
mail the BAQC:
The Boundary Air Quality Committee
care of Grand Forks City Hall
Box 220,
Grand Forks, BC, V0H 1H0
Phone Grand Forks City Hall - (250) 442- 8266
Public Meeting Minutes Oct. 11th