Environmental Initiatives
The City of Courtenay has progressively implemented numerous initiatives to reduce the impact the City has on the environment. Here are just some of the things the City has been working on.
Waste Management
Reduced weekly garbage limit to 121 litres/household
Implemented biweekly curbside Blue Bag recycling program
Adopted weekly Yard Waste curbside pickup program
Banned land-clearing material burning
New: Switched to biodegradable dog waste bags in dispensing stations
Transportation
Converted all traffic lights to LED resulting in an 80% reduction in energy consumption
Converted City fleet to bio-diesel
Implemented Bicycle Strategy & bike parking requirements
Planted 1310 street trees
Installed more efficient pedestrian crossing lights
Required full cut-off flat lens street lights in all new developments and road projects
Storm Water Management
Implemented BC’s Water Balance Model for development projects
Acquired Statutory Right of Way along creeks & water courses
Constructed storm detention ponds & engineered wetlands
Required seeding of cleared land for erosion reduction
Created Environmental Development Permit Guidelines
Added requirement for temporary storm water erosion control ponds on development projects
Parks & Open Spaces
Purchased almost 25 hectares of forest land, increasing the total park area to almost 117 hectares.
Planted 660 trees in City parks & implemented a Tree Protection Bylaw
Computerized irrigation and eliminated pesticide spraying by the City
Constructed 16.4 kms of walkways
Water Conservation
Water metered all commercial, industrial & multifamily buildings
Replaced all toilets in City buildings with 6/3 litre flush units
Plus...
Pilot municipality for BC Hydro’s compact fluorescent light program
Switched to recycled paper for tax notice envelopes (10,000 per year)
Reduced paper prints by converting to electronic submission of engineered drawings by consultants
Continued ongoing recycling program in City buildings
Developed soil removal/deposit bylaw
Called for developer contributions for recreational facilities
New: Banned pesticide use within municipal boundaries
View our Pesticide Bylaw which passed in July 2007
Last Update : Tuesday, May 03, 2011