AVICC recommended Alberni-Clayoquot’s CAO, Russell Dyson to serve on the Tsunami Debris Management Planning Team with the first meeting being held June 8. Russell has extended an invitation to staff of other affected local governments to develop a communication loop so that all affected are able to provide their input in to the Committee and receive information from the Committee. Download the May 30, 2012 Tsunami Debris Coordinating Committee Update and May 2012 Japanese Tsunami Debris Public Information Sheet produced cooperatively by the provincial and federal governments.
UBCM Policy Analyst Jared Wright is serving on the Tsunami Debris Coordinating Committee. He advises that Delta CAO, George Harvie; Skeena-Queen Charlotte CAO, Joan Merrick; and Karla Robison, Manager of Emergency Services from Ucluelet are also serving on the Tsunami Debris Management Planning Team and there is discussion occurring regarding local government representation on the other sub-committees. A clinic on Tsunami Debris has been included for Tuesday, September 26 at the UBCM Convention.
AVICC Executive will be recommending an amendment to Resolution R11-Tsunami Debris to Hit West Coast in 2014 endorsed by AVICC members in Ucluelet to incorporate the need for a funding strategy to be developed to offset potential costs to local governments. If the amendment is endorsed, the resolution would the read:
“THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that coastal communities on Vancouver Island which may be impacted by the tsunami debris from Japan be involved in any federal/provincial planning processes, including representation on the Provincial Tsunami Debris Working Group that has been developed by the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General;
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the provincial and federal governments develop a funding strategy for removal of tsunami debris, to offset potential costs to local governments.”
UBCM endorsed the amended resolution. The UBCM clinic on Tsunami Debris was well received. See the UBCM Clinic PP Presentation.
At mid October the Tsunami Debris Management Planning Team had had five meetings and was entering Phase 2 which focuses on monitoring, information resources, volunteer management, aquatic invasive species, end of life management and surveillance. Twenty-nine individuals are listed as team participants in the meeting minutes.
A draft of the Phase 2 Plan was circulated to stakeholders in late 2012. Although there is recognition of the need for funding, a specific allocation has not been identified and representatives will continue to advocate for that to occur.