The Ministry of the Environment’s Rich Gerrard says there will be some changes when it comes to asphalt plant emissions “We are looking at some modifications to the way the regulation works .”

Gerrard says the residents can take the credit for the changes “Prince George has been a bit of a driver in that issue, the local community has done a very good job of bringing their issues forward and there are some pretty valid points, so it is time to update that regulation.”

Will Prince George be officially declared a sensitive airshed ? Gerrard says that is possible “Our Ministry staff are preparing some recommendations for our Minister now, it does recognize Prince George is a sensitive airshed.”

Dave Sutherland is also with the Ministry of the Environment and says there is another question “What does it mean when you say it is a sensitive airshed? How do you translate that into what it means, and I think a lot of that is up to us here, between ourselves and the City to work out .” He says the Province may come along with some policy changes to better manage so called “sensitive” or “impacted“ airsheds, but Sutherland says he expects a lot of the work will really be in local hands.

While there have been calls from local interest groups for a moratorium on industrial development, Sutherland says the pressures on the Airshed have been recognized and industry is aware of the challenges and limitations especially when it comes to using beetle killed wood “Theoretically there are opportunities where you can get rid of polluting facilities now and yet still burn more wood, or use more wood or produce more pellets within this Airshed and still have an improvement (in air quality). It is being done and I think industry recognizes that is the only way they are going to go forward now.”

The Regional District of Fraser Fort George is assisting in the plan to develop the regional economy while protecting the air. The RDFFG is redoing a study on possible lands for industrial development. That study involves identifying Crown and private lands that have the right mix of access to transportation and utilities while being far enough away from the P.G. Airshed. Sutherland says new industry has technology on its side “Technology (for reduced emissions) is very good these days. If you take these things and give them half a chance you know the pollution is not going to be a problem, but putting them in the valley is like giving them two strikes.”