So the city is looking for feedback on their proposed new drain fee.
They claim that in the event of larger storm events our infrastructure would not be able to handle the extra run off.
I've lived in Prince George since 1958 and the only places I've ever seen it flood is along River Road, lower Patricia Blvd., east of Queensway and that trailer court in South Fort George next to Paddle Wheel Park.
Why should the people in all the other areas of P.G. be penalized when it doesn't flood in our neighbourhoods?
The proposed rate structure will be based on how much so-called impervious surface is on each taxpayers property. Roofs, decks, driveways, sheds etc. How can they charge us for the size of our roofs? We are prohibited to channel rain water or melt water into the city's storm sewer system.
What we have to do is use the over land drain system. That is to let the water sink into our lawns, back yards and gardens. Water that sinks into the dirt does not take a left or right turn below the ground and seek out the nearest storm sewer pipe. Gravity draws the water straight down where it becomes ground water.
Mind you, in some newer subdivisions the drain tile that is placed around the perimeter of the footings at the bottom of the basement is permitted to be attached to the storm sewer. But who hooks their down spouts to their drain tile and take the chance of the water coming up in their basements? They'd run it out as far away from the house as possible?
As for our driveways, don't forget that we don't own the property form the curb up to our property lines sometimes up to five-and-half metres. That snow along the street that they pile up and snow we shovel off our driveways are not our concern as it belongs to the city. After all, we have to shovel the snow to get onto the street so we can go to work and pay our already exorbitant land taxes. And now, they ain't going to plow until we get 15 cm. of snow.
As for the rain that falls on the portion of the land that we don't own in front or back of our properties, is not our problem either because that its what the storm sewers were put there in the first place.
Lastly, suck it up Gina Layte-Liston, city waste water supervisor. We the taxpayers eyes and ears are not wide shut.
Eugene Fetterly
Prince George
