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THE CORPORATION OF THE CITE OF PORT COQOITLAM

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ENVIRNMEXTAL

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COMMITTEE

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meeting of the Environmental Protection Committee was held in the Board
Port Coquitlam, on Wednesday, March 15, 1989 at
6:00 p.m.

A

Room, 2580 Shaughnessy Street,

In attendance were:
Alderman M.C. Farnworth, Chairman
Alderman M.R. Wright„ Co-Chairman
D.G. Riecken, P. Eng., Deputy City Engineer
Members of the Public (11)
ITEM

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1

CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES

That the minutes of the meeting of the Environmental protection Committee
held on Tuesday, February 8, 1989 be taken as read and adopted.

Carried
ITEM

II:

OUTDOOR BURNING

Ten residents of the agricultural area of the City outlined their concerns
relating to the proposed ken on all burning in tkle City. Blueberry
would be impractical to truck
farmers in particular are concerned that
away prunings since they would have to be carried off their fields by hand
due to the wet field conditions in the spring. As well, when diseases
appear in the kushes, diseased branches must be removed at once to prevent
the spread of the disease. Since Agriculture Canada will not permit the
movement of infested plant material from one area to another, these
branches must be turned. It was also noted that turning was the only
practical way of controlling the spread of blackberries, to clean brush
from drainage ditches, and to get rid of dead grass from the previous
year's hay crops.

it

One resident of the urban area requested that the Committee consider

allowing sane turning in the urken residential area of the City. He
indicated that there are some materials which do not lend themselves to
kundling or kegging for setting out with danestic garbage. He noted that
in his opinion there is far worse pollution from fireplaces, automobiles
and other sources, and that by allowing some turning, which he descri ked
as a natural process, the City wouldn't discourage residents from cleaning
up their premises. He also felt that if turning were completely kenned
that many residents would ignore the ken and burn anyway.

The Committee considered the comments made and determined that it would be
reasonable to allow burning in the agricultural area for a period of up to
six months during the spring and summer months. In order to prevent
was determined that
hauling in of material from other sites for burning
should be
on
the
materials
generated
property
organic
agricultural
only
allowed to be burned.

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5 198il

It was felt that a permit should be required for this turning to alert the
Fire Department as to where and when the burning would be occurring.
The Committee considered the comments made relative to residential
backyard burning, and determined that some burning could be allowed
was limited to a two weekend period in the spring. The last
provided
weekend in April were suggested to coincide
weekend in Narch and the

it

first

with the spring turning presently allowed in the District of Coquitlam.

The Committee was not prepared to recommend that burning for land clearing
projects be allowed. As long as contractors are made aware of the
prohibition of any burning they will te able to adjust their bid prices to
allow for alternate methods of disposal. The Committee recognized the

problem which exists with burning in the Indian Reserve; however, they
were hopeful that a proposal for shredding and composting at the former
Coquitlam Landfill Site would proceed and provide a reasonable alternative
to turning. The Deputy Engineer noted that it would likely cost the City
more to dispose of brush trimmed from parks and within road allowances
than it does to turn as is presently being done. The Committee felt that
the City should be sett'ng an example, and that by allowing some burning
in the Spring, the savings in tipping fees for garden refuse which would
be otherwise collected would offset the additional costs. Noreover, the
City could burn during the two weekends in the Spring.

the current regulations which specify
materials which are prohibited from being used in a fire should be
retained and that toxic materials be added to the list of prohibited
materials. It was also felt that the Fire Department should be able to
shut down a fire for environmental as well as safety reasons.
The Committee also noted that

The Committee determined that a report should be presented to Council with

the following recommendations:

That Council not proceed with final reading of Bylaw No. 2412 and
that the City Clerk be directed to prepare a new Bylaw which
incorporates the following recommendations of'he Committeei

1.

That burning be allowed on all properties zoned A-1 under a
seasonal permit for a period not exceeding six months. No
material other than on-site generated agricultural organic
material shall be burned.

2.

That turning be permitted on all occupied residential properties
without a permit drring the last imekend in march and the first
weekend in April only. No material other than garden refuse
generated on the property shall te turned.

3.

That the Fire Department te empowered to require extinguishing
of any fires, whether under permit or not, for environmental as
well as hazardous conditions.

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4.

That toxic materials be added to the list of materials
prohibited from being used on or in any fire.

5.

That no land clearing burning be permitted.

The Neeting Adjourned at 8:03 p.m.

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D.G. Riecken, P. Eng.,
Deputy City Engineer

NOTE:

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A~lderficn N.C. Farnworth,

Committee Chairman

minutes not read and adopted by the Committee until certified
correct by the Committee Chairman's signature.

Nayor and Aldermen

City Administrator

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