Written by Mark Nielsen
Citizen staff
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Wednesday, 01 July 2009 |
Introducing lockable garbage containers or installing garberators in households where there is a high level of bear trouble may be in the cards for Prince George.
Those were two suggestions in a report city council considered Monday night as ways to achieve "Bear Smart" status for Prince George.
Achieving Bear Smart status means the provincial government will give conservation officers more leeway in terms of dealing with bears within city limits, including relocation.
According to the report, from operations superintendent Bill Gaal, the Omineca Bear Human Conflict Committee has identified several priority areas adding up to 735 homes, where taking one of the two steps may be worthwhile.
The idea behind the lockable containers is to make it less easy for bears feed on garbage while the garberators would automatically send food waste into the city's sewage system.
At a cost of $160 each, lockable containers would add up to $120,000 while garberators, at $300 each, would total $220,000. While garberators may be more costly up front, Gaal said the option would reduce by about $5,000 a year the landfill disposal fees the city pays the regional district.
Moreover, he said the resulting sewage can be converted into additional methane gas at the wastewater treatment centre where it's used to fuel the micro-turbines that generate electricity and heat at the facility.
Reports of bears are highest in in College Heights and Charella Gardens to the south, around Moore's Meadow and in the upper and lower Hart according to the OBHCC.
The city also needs to install about a dozen more bear-proof garbage containers in city parks and trial where there have been a high number of bear sightings, Gaal noted, which will cost about $25,000.
The OBHCC is also suggesting the garbage bylaw be amended to prohibit containers from being rolled out before 4 a.m. on the collection day, instead of 9 p.m. the night before as is currently allowed. In 2006, a previous attempt to impose the measure fell short after concerns were raised over how it might affect shift workers and how well it could be enforced.
The OBHCC also wants the garbage bylaw amended to prohibit leaving garbage of any kind where it's accessible by wildlife, including compost, fruit, livestock feed, bee hives, barbecues and hanging carcasses.
Council asked staff Monday to prepare an action plan, timeline and budget for consideration.
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 01 July 2009 )
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