The District of Squamish is experiencing unusually heavy rainfall. Environment Canada is reporting that significant rainfall of 30-70mm can be expected between now and Tuesday morning.
The Province of BC, through the Ministry of Environment and River Forecast Centre, forecasts flooding in the Squamish River System. However, all local rivers are rising to moderate levels and maintain significant capacity to contain the anticipated additional rainfall.
No evacuation alerts have been issued in the District of Squamish at this time.
District crews are checking roads, drainage, and ditches. Residents are encouraged to check culverts and ditches in front of their properties and clear blockages to ensure maximum drainage and avert some of the usual annual internal drainage issues. If you are unable to clear a blockage, please call the Operations Department of the District of Squamish at 604.815.6868.
The District of Squamish continues to monitor this weather event and river and creek levels.
VANOC statement regarding women’s ski jumping at the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games
Written by Submitted
Monday, 16 November 2009 08:34
In a ruling released last week, the British Columbia Court of Appeal has dismissed an appeal of a ruling by the British Columbia Supreme Court regarding women’s ski jumping at the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games. The appeal was heard November 12 and 13, 2009 in Vancouver, BC, by a panel of three appeal court judges.
In a decision released on July 10, 2009, British Columbia Supreme Court Justice Lauri Ann Fenlon found the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) is not in breach of Section 15 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms in regards to women competing in ski jumping at the 2010 Winter Games. The decision was appealed by the female ski jumpers.
Sea-to-Sky Highway Update - Friday, November 13, 2009
Written by Submitted
Friday, 13 November 2009 15:14
Major construction is now complete between Horseshoe Bay and Function Junction.
Road works for Next Week – delays up to 20 minutes
There will be single lane alternating traffic for construction, weather permitting, (preparatory and paving work) about 1 kilometre NORTH of Porteau Cove Park between the hours of 8:00am and 4:00pm.
Scaling for rock slope stabilization continues next week, approximately 2 to 5 kilometres SOUTH of Porteau Cove Provincial Park.
Squamish Environmental Conservation Society Launches New Board and New Working Name
Written by Submitted
Friday, 13 November 2009 15:10
The Squamish Environmental Conservation Society held their Annual General Meeting Monday November 12 at the Brackendale Art Gallery, hosting a crowd of about 50 local residents keen to observe a panel discussion with local environmentalists and vote on a new working name and board of directors for the organization.
“We were thrilled with the turnout we had yesterday. The panel discussion was terrific - thought provoking and informative with some great suggestions on how to reinvigorate the environmental voice and vision in Squamish” says Society President Catherine Jackson.
District crews were scrambled Monday evening to deal with flooding on local roads following torrential rainfall for most of the day and into the night.
The underpass under Highway 99 at Brennan Park was closed to traffic. The underpass there is next to the Mamquam River, which was high due to above normal precipitation.
Flood warning signs were placed along Tantalus Road in Garibaldi Estates and parts of Logger’s Lane also experienced flooding conditions.
North of Squamish, Whistler Village experienced heavy early snowfall and snowplows headed north to assist in the clearing efforts. The forecast for Whistler is for snow flurries, although the rain in Squamish is expected to ease by Tuesday, with partial clearing forecast.
Cast Your Vote Daily and Vote Squamish for Gamestown2010
It's easy and it's quick - log on to www.gamestown2010.ca - click the viewers choice button and vote!
Every community has an equal chance to win, no matter how large or how small! The top 2 communities in each of the 5 categories will move into a final round. When the public voting closes, the Celebrity Judges Panel will begin finalizing their decisions. Starting January 5th, the panel of judges will be selecting the Gold, Silver and Bronze medal winners of GamesTown 2010 from the top 10 Viewers’ Choice selections. Prizes will be awarded for the upgrading of a local sport or healthy living facility of the community’s choosing. It's not too late to up load pictures, stories and videos. We can do it and we can win, if we all post one entry and vote Squamish as Gamestown 2010. We Are GamesTown 2010!
Re-imagining Green: Panel discussion features local environmentalists
Written by Submitted
Tuesday, 27 October 2009 12:56
The Squamish Environmental Conservation Society invites the community to join them at the Brackendale Art Gallery on November 2nd at 7:00 pm for a thought provoking panel discussion, "Re-imagining Green - How can we energize the environmental voice and influence the environmental vision in Squamish?". The event is free to the public and will be followed by the SECS Annual General Meeting.
Featured Panellists for the discussion include:
District of Squamish Councillor Patricia Heintzman
PhD candidate Chris Joseph (researching impacts of the tar sands)
Local bird expert Marcia Danielson
Environmental educator, consultant and coordinator of the Corridor Volunteer Project Kimberley Armour
Victor Elderton, Principal, Co-Administrator at North Vancouver Outdoor School and Director, Pacific Foundation for Understanding Nature and Environmental Educators of BC
SECS will be voting on a new 'working name' for the society and electing a new board. Old, new and future members are welcome to come out, participate in the discussion and get involved!
The Society is also seeking volunteers for new projects such as the Young Earth Keepers Club and Conservation/Education programs.
For more information visit NatureSquamish.ca or join the Facebook group Squamish Environmental Conservation Society.
Squamish CAN says thanks
Written by Squamish CAN
Tuesday, 27 October 2009 06:31
Squamish CAN thanks you all for making the first ever International Day of Climate Action a great success in Squamish. You took part in the single most widespread day of political action the Earth has ever seen.
284 residents and neighbours were counted at peak time. This is great news for our community. Squamish CAN will endeavour to continue spreading awareness so that, next year, we can at least double this figure. In the meantime… remember October 24th was not the end, but the beginning of action. Negotiations moving towards Copenhagen may not sound very good at this point, but when people like us and communities like ours work together, we can make a huge difference. And our “pledge tree” is proof of it:
You made 206 pledges during the event on Saturday – altogether, they amount to 37.44 tonnes of CO2 saved in Squamish during the next year (See attached summary of pledges and results for details.) It goes to show how seemingly small actions by individuals can amount to a lot – we can do it
And finally, what you have been asking for incessantly for the last two days, the photos! A brief slideshow is ready to view on our homepage: www.squamishcan.net You may even find yourself in there.
Squamish Climate Action Day tomorrow at Adventure Centre
Written by Submitted
Friday, 23 October 2009 13:02
Tomorrow, you will be taking part in the single most widespread day of political action that the earth has ever seen.
AROUND THE WORLD…
· A Global 350 Mosaic: Organizers in Sydney and Beijing are forming giant human 3's, while activists in London and Delhi make huge 5's, and citizens in Copenhagen and Quito form enormous 0's, together making a global 350, a symbol of the need for all of us to work together.
· In Kenya, 350 Maasai children will perform a jumping dance, highlighting that for their pastoral lifestyle, climate change is already underfoot.
· Across China, over 200 events are planned at iconic locations like wind-turbine farms, coastal cities, and at melting glaciers.
· In Mexico City, thousands of students and citizens will form a giant 350 human banner visible from the air in the famous Venustiano Carranza Plaza.
Over 4,600 actions have now been registered in 177 countries – take a look at the map!
IN SQUAMISH…
Vancouver 2010 integrated transportation plan released
Written by Submitted
Wednesday, 14 October 2009 10:40
The 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Transportation Team (OPTT) released the second phase of its Games-time integrated transportation plan today providing residents and businesses with the most up-to-date information available on how to start planning now for their day-to-day travel needs during the 2010 Winter Games. The plan requires reducing vehicle traffic by at least 30 per cent in downtown Vancouver, the Lions Gate and Iron Workers’ Memorial (Second Narrows) bridges, the Sea to Sky Highway, and in Whistler.
VANOC offers special ticket opportunity for residents in Squamish to Mount Currie region
Written by Submitted
Wednesday, 14 October 2009 09:15
Residents of the Squamish to Mount Currie region who register a ticketing account before Friday, October 23 will have an exclusive opportunity to take advantage of a special “Locals” Whistler Olympic ticket offer starting Saturday, October 24. This two-day offer is the best remaining chance for residents in the region to get tickets for Olympic sporting events in Whistler and is in addition to the third — and final — phase of ticket sales in the Canadian market, which start November 7.
