Anyone who is familiar with Sparwood knows that the crisp, cool mornings and the shorter days signify the change of seasons. With the turn in weather, bears begin searching for food before winter and the Public Works Department begins preparing for snow.
Bears in the community is not something to take lightly and there are many things’ residents can do to prevent these types of interactions. Reducing attractants must be a focus throughout the year, but especially now as bears focus on food before they go into hibernation.
Here are some tips to help our community stay bear aware:
- Try to store your bin in a secure location such as your garage, shed, or a different outbuilding. If the bin cannot be kept inside, both clips must be locked at all times except for on your scheduled collection day.
- Do not place your garbage bin at the curb prior to 5:00 am on your scheduled collection day. If you are working shift work and won’t be home in time to place the bin out, ask one of your neighbours if they can place the bin at the curb for you after 5:00 am.
- If you have a bird or hummingbird feeder in your yard, now is a good time to give it a good clean and store it somewhere safe until next winter.
- Make sure your BBQ is secure and cleaned regularly.
- Keep pet food inside.
These actions are simple, yet critical to prevent bears from becoming attracted to non-natural food sources within our community. Should you have a wildlife-human interaction where public safety may be at risk, please contact the 24/7 RAPP line at 1.877.952.7277. To report unsecured containers or placement of garbage bins prior to 5:00 am, please contact Bylaw Enforcement at 250.425.6820.
Along with wildlife it is also time for residents to start thinking about snow. While the first flake has yet to fall, this is a popular topic that impacts everyone. Sparwood is well known for outstanding snow removal. Snow clearing requires not only the efforts of the operators, but also residents to ensure the process can be undertaken efficiently and completely. This includes things like not parking on the street and placing garbage bins in appropriate locations for winter pick up.
Snow and ice removal/control in Sparwood is conducted on a priority basis and road clearing begins once there is a two-inch accumulation of snow. The first thing to be cleared are main arterial roads, such as Pine Avenue, Ponderosa Drive, Aspen Drive, Red Cedar Drive and Centennial Plaza. Municipal parking lots, sidewalks and walkways, are also a top priority. Secondary routes, which include some school bus routes, residential connector roads and residential sidewalks are cleared next. The third priority is the remaining roads and walkways.
Windrow removal is generally completed in the same priority sequence as identified for municipal road and sidewalks to maximize efficiency. However, if available resources are not adequate to clear all windrows, remaining windrows may be left until the following day.
These process and priorities are defined in the Snow and Ice Control Policy which can be found on the District website at www.sparwood.ca.
Residents are reminded that parking on the street during snow plowing, snow removal, snow hauling, or sanding operations is prohibited from October 1 to March 31 between the hours of 6:00 am to 4:00 pm.
Post Date: September 28, 2024 | Category: Mayor's Monthly Editorial News & Updates