Air Shed Study In the Works
By 250 News
It is not uncommon to hear concerns about the impact of vehicular traffic, dust, develpment and industry may have on the Prince George Air Shed. This past summer there has been a great deal of focus on air quality issues because of increased activitiy at asphalt plants, high levels of dust, and most recently, an air quality advisory that has lasted most of the work week. There are some who say the Prince George Air shed is "overtaxed", but just where are the boudaries for that "air shed".
"That's not really clear" says the City of Prince George's Environment Manager Mark Fercho. Thats why a new study to identify the urban boundaries of the airshed is welcome news.
At right, Prince George Mayor Colin Kinsley is flanked by MLA John Rustad and Agriculture Minister Pat Bell as they present a $20,000 cheque for the air shed report
The Province has provided $20,000 to go towards a joint project with UNBC to identify the air shed boundary. The initial information on the funding indicated the dollars would be used to detail the impact of smoke from beetle kill debris, but there will be other gains from that study says Fercho "We know that with the pine beetle debris, there will be burns, so whether its beetle debris, or emissions from a stack, there is bound to be an impact on the air shed". He is hoping this study will provide the City and the Regional District with more information on sites best suited for future industry in order to have the least amount of impact on the urban airshed.
The details for the study are still being developed, but Fercho says the final result will be a positive tool "Its not going to change anything overnight, but it will give us one more piece to the puzzle so we have more options for industrial development in the City".
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Posted by: Gofaster on September 9 2006 5:37 AM
The RDFFG has studies which specifically looked at the Salmon Valley and Isle Pierre for this very reason. For air shed purposes, higher and to the west or north is best.
Of course, if one goes far enough out, almost any direction will do. Access to water and transportation, plus minimizing impact on current land users would be the most critical to look at.
If I recall correctly, the Isle Pierre area was not the greatest due to the proximity to the river, and the Salmon Valley area was not the greatest due to proximity of existing population.
The RDFF has the studies avaialable for viewing.
Gimmie a map and a highlighter and I'll travel to Switzerland with the $20,000 to so that I can relax while I draw the boundary on the map.
;-)
"We know that with the pine beetle debris, there will be burns...."
hmmmmmmm ... how do we know that? Old habits die hard, I suppose. Will we ever learn????????