Cariboo Regional District

Building Communities Together

 

2008 Business Plan

108 Greenbelt (1548)

 

Darron Campbell, Manager of Community Services

 

Working in partnership with communities, large and small, to make the Cariboo Chilcotin a socially, environmentally, and economically desirable region to live, work and play.

______________________________________________________________________________________

 

Department/Function Services

 

The 108 Greenbelt Service was established through Bylaw No. 3120 in 1996. The service was created to provide for the management of the 108 Greenbelt lands, which surround the 108 Mile Ranch community, and provide opportunities for public recreation.

 

The 108 Greenbelt provides much the same function as a public park in other communities. These lands, originally established by Block Bros. Realty at the conception of the 108 Mile Ranch development generally encompass lakeshore, grasslands and forested lands located immediately adjacent to the community. The Greenbelt was established to provide property owners a joint interest in these lands for recreational use. Now held under title by the Cariboo Regional District, the lands continue to be utilized for the enjoyment of area residents with the intent to minimize interference with the lands’ “natural” or existing states.

 

The requisition limit for this function is the greater of $14,160 or $0.13/$1,000 of assessment. Collection is by parcel tax, which is applied equally to all lots within the local service area.

 

Under the direction and authority of the Cariboo Regional District Board, the 108 Greenbelt is managed by the 108 Greenbelt Commission whose members are appointed by the Board on recommendation of the Electoral Area “G” Director.

 

As the Electoral Area “G” Director is the only stakeholder in this function, and the Local Government Act requires more than one vote, the entire Board is responsible for the governance of this service.

 

Business Plan Goals, Rationale & Strategies

 

2008 Goals

 

1.         Goal:  Thin the forested area on the south side of Watson Creek.

Rationale:  Thinning the area will lower the wildfire hazard through the removal of ladder fuels and opening up the forest floor for new growth. As well, opening up the area will allow better access for recreational activities such as walking, biking, snowmobiling and horseback riding.

Strategy:  The project will be managed by the Greenbelt Commission and contractors will be used for the thinning work.

 

2.         Goal:  Implement the Greenbelt Rangeland Inspection Program.

Rationale:  The program will ensure proper management of Greenbelt grasslands and was developed by the Commission in 2007 with support from the Ministry of Forests and Range, the Ministry of Agriculture and Lands, Ducks Unlimited and the local rancher.

Strategy:  Inspections and monitoring will be carried out by Commission members or an independent ecologist according to standards in the inspection program.

 

3.         Goal:  Continue with wildfire hazard abatement across the Greenbelt.

Rationale:  In the regional wildfire protection assessment completed in 2006, the 108 Mile Ranch area was rated in the high hazard category. The completion of a Community Wildfire Protection Plan pilot project and continuing the fuel reduction work as outlined in the most current hazard report were key recommendations.

Strategy:  Funding for a CWPP and fuel management projects, such as removing ladder fuels, piling and burning dead branches and stems and harvesting timber can be accessed through a UBCM grant program. The Greenbelt CWPP pilot project was completed in 2007 and involved consulting with local residents, the 108 Mile Volunteer Fire Department, Ministry of Forests and other professionals. Work will continue on projects to reduce identified hazards where deemed necessary.

 

4.         Goal:  Preserve the Greenbelt from invasive plants, such as knapweed and thistle.

Rationale:  The Greenbelt is continually attacked by a number of invasive plants, which are impacting on the recreational and agricultural use of the lands.

Strategy:  Work with the Invasive Plant Program of the Cariboo Regional District at reducing, or eliminating wherever possible, invasive plants in an environmentally sound manner while respecting financial limitations.

 

5.         Goal:  Upgrade fencing to maintain pasture areas.

Rationale:  Grazing of livestock is an accepted way to manage grasslands and reduce wildfire hazards in the Greenbelt and gain revenue for other capital improvements.

Strategy:  Use funds from pasture leases to gradually upgrade fences as required.

 

Overall Financial Impact

 

No requisition change is required for 2008.

 

The parcel tax is augmented by revenue generated from pasture rental fees. The Greenbelt Commission has been diligent in developing a practical approach to meeting its goals and objectives over the past few years while staying within budget limitations.

 

It is anticipated that the staged improvements to the Greenbelt lands will continue over the period of this business plan with no impact to the current budget.

 

Significant Issues & Trends

 

None.

 

Measuring Previous Years’ Performance

 

Goal:   Continue with wildfire hazard abatement across the Greenbelt.

- Completed. The Community Wildfire Protection Plan pilot project funded through a grant proposal from UBCM was finalized and submitted.

 

Goal:   Work to preserve the Greenbelt from invasive plants.

- Completed. Knapweed and thistle were hand-pulled, cut or sprayed by crews throughout the spring and summer.

 

Goal:   Upgrade fencing to maintain pasture areas.

- Completed.

 

Goal:   Establish a rangeland inspection program.

- Completed. The Greenbelt Commission will carry on with implementation of the program in 2008.