10 Coldstream reviewing noise bylaws


Residents say farm practices disturb the peace practices, however. Unlike most nuisances, the


by JENNIFER SMITH COLDSTREAM – Residents


of Coldstream want local councillors to keep the peace, saying the practices of some local fruit growers are hardly music to their ears. Helicopters used to blow rain off maturing cherries, whirring wind turbines and audible bird scare devices designed to limit predation create a cacophony that local residents can’t tune out. With the number of local


orchards growing, Coldstream is reviewing its noise regulation bylaw in an effort to create a harmonious relationship between growers and residents. “Since we have more


orchards going in, we want to make sure something exists,” says mayor Jim Garlick. BC’s Farm Practices


Protection Act (commonly known as the Right to Farm Act) limits the ability of Coldstream and other communities to regulate farm


act exempts normal farm practices from prosecution. Coldstream received 30 noise complaints between May 1 and September 30, 2016. Of those, 10 were attributed to industrial activities and seven to farm operations, chiefly in the east end of the district. Construction, commercial events, dogs or parties/music accounted for the other 20. “Based on the above numbers and statistics gathered, the district does not appear to have a ‘noise problem,’” reads Coldstream’s noise regulation bylaw report. “[But] there are locations in the community that are noisier than others.” One cause of increased noise complaints last year was the new pellet plant which started up in Lavington. The report points to increasing farm activities as another cause. “The noise that results


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from equipment used, frequency of use and an overall greater intensification of farming have led to a rise in the complaints,” says Keri- Ann Austin, director of corporate administration and author of the bylaw report. “Coldstream has a large agricultural sector and is an important agricultural area in the North Okanagan. Many of the practices that the farmers utilized are considered ‘normal farm practices’ and


they are protected from nuisance complaints under the Farm Practices Protection (Right to Farm) Act.” Garlick says the


interpretation of noises depends on the individual. “To one person, it will be a sound; to another person, it will be a noise,” he says. Given the limited ability of municipalities to regulate farm practices, Garlick encourages residents to lodge complaints with the province’s Farm Industry Review Board. While local governments can’t complain, individuals can and must be given a hearing. “We can’t do that. You can


do it if you are affected by it,” says Garlick.


FRUITGROWERS resolutions


DiMaria said he respects the science behind and the importance of food safety. “But show me how


recording when I change the oil in my tractor will affect the peel on my apples?” Resolutions called for adoption of CanadaGAP – or a recognized equivalent – as the sole food safety program required in Canada. Growers are also asking for a retailer code of practice to avoid abuse of the dominant market position of concentrated retailers, and advocacy for “common sense, practical food safety programs … with a science- based review mechanism.”


The BCFGA is also calling


for more funding and efforts to address invasive pests. “Dangerous pests are in


our backyard,” commented Peter Simonsen, chair of the crop protection committee. The detection of a second apple maggot across Okanagan Lake from the location of the 2015 sighting occurred in late summer 2016. Monitoring is on-going though breeding populations have yet to materialize. The two Brown


Marmorated Stink Bugs (BMSB) found near the Penticton canal in late 2016, however, have everyone’s attention. “Areas in the US have lost


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more than our entire BC crop due to BMSB,” noted Melissa Tesche, acting general manager of the Okanagan Similkameen Sterile Insect Release (SIR) program. Amarjit Lalli of Kelowna noted leadership was lacking when dealing with detection and the situation was complicated by the fact it was on First Nations land. “Who is in charge and what is the protocol that needs to be set in place?” asked Lalli, adding, “That


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protocol should apply to everybody.”


The BC Cherry Association has joined with BCFGA, SIR, government, research and grower field services to develop a BMSB plan. “We don’t have adequate


resources in Canada for early detection,” BCFGA general manager Glen Lucas said. “We are too ad hoc.” There were calls for a second provincial tree fruit entomologist to support the work that Susanna Acheampong is currently doing.


Deer numbers are


increasing across the Okanagan, with members telling of up to 30 head in one orchard. Damage to orchards, vehicle collisions and injuries to the deer themselves, are increasing. “The province has failed to manage the Queen’s wildlife,” quipped Sam DiMaria. Fences are expensive, make the landscape look like an armed compound and simply move the deer to another site. The BCFGA is calling for a deer cull by municipalities and a limited entry hunting program to manage the urban deer population.


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COUNTRY LIFE IN BC • MARCH 2017


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