By Abigail Popple, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, RMG
Valemount’s Clean Air Task Force moved to ask Council to solicit more data about air quality at its October 31st meeting. The Task Force is recommending that Council advocate for BC Hydro to monitor PM10 – airborne particulate matter which is small enough to inhale – and create an email address where residents can send photos and videos of dust in the village.
Valemount Council will consider following the recommendation at its next meeting, on November 12th.
Committee member and Valemount Councillor Donnie MacLean, who has previously collected photos and videos of dust being carried from the Kinbasket reservoir into downtown Valemount, hopes the recommendations will give the Village a clearer idea of how to tackle air quality issues.
While smoke from wood stoves is likely a significant contributor to poor air quality in Valemount, the lack of snow over the Kinbasket reservoir added to air quality problems last winter, MacLean said. More evidence of dust from the Kinbasket may help Village staff and colleagues at the Ministry of Environment parse the different causes of Valemount’s air quality issues and encourage residents to do their part in reducing wood smoke.
“It’s hard to convince people to take action in their own backyard when you’re seeing all these other sources of air quality [issues],” MacLean said. “It’d be easier to get citizens on board if you’re taking noticeable measures to control other sources.”
