By Tom Mark

Phase Three Of Vernon Sandbag Removal Underway

Jul 17, 2017 | 10:30 AM

The City of Vernon is now proceeding with Phase 3 of the sand bag disposal assistance program.

This includes properties along Lakeshore Drive.

Property owners on Lakeshore Drive are encouraged to leave flood protection in place to a minimum of 0.6m (2 feet) above lake level to protect from wave action.

City Public Works Manager James Rice says a number of people have been helped so far in the first two phases, but it’s hard to say how many bags have been removed.

Rice says he expects the properties on Lakeshore to really take advantage of the program.

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There’s a fairly high concentration of bags down in that area as well as Tronson Road and Eastside Road which will be in the next phase.

Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the program (properties within Vernon adjacent to BX Creek and Vernon Creek) are still in effect.

Residents of Vernon who are required to dispose of more than 400 sand bags from their properties can call City Operations at 250-549-6757 during regular business hours (Mon-Fri 7:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.) to request assistance.

City staff will review the request and if approved, City contractors will be providing large collection bins to individual properties to assist with the removal process.

Property owners are required to load the bins.

Due to the limitations of the number of bins available, collection will be completed in phases as follows:

Phase 1: Properties within the City of Vernon adjacent to BX Creek – July 6 to August 6

Phase 2: Properties within the City of Vernon adjacent to Vernon Creek – July 10 to August 10

Phase 3: Properties on Lakeshore Drive – July 17 to August 17

Phase 4: Properties on Tronson Rd and Eastside Rd – Timing to be announced

In most instances, sand used for flood protection in the City of Vernon can be treated as clean soil and used as general fill, substitute aggregate in construction applications or blended into gardens and lawns.

Under no circumstances should sandbags be emptied on beaches or into any creeks, wetland, beaches or other watercourses as outlined in the Water Sustainability Act.

The impact can destroy fish habitat and affect drinking water, infrastructure, flood control, navigation and recreational activities. Report violations to Natural Resource at 1 877-952-7277, (Option 2) toll-free or #7277 on a cellphone.

Sand bags can also be dropped off free of charge at the following locations as long as they are not mixed with any other substance, wood debris, garbage or recycling materials:

• All RDNO Recycling and Disposal Facilities

• The sand bag fill site located outside Operations yard entrance at 1900 – 48th Avenue off Pleasant Valley Rd

• The sand bag fill site located at corner of Okanagan Ave and Okanagan Landing Rd (across from Marshall Fields)

by Tom Mark