FAQs

Recovering from a disaster such as a wildfire can be particularly stressful and overwhelming. If you need to talk to someone immediately, call the BC Crisis Line / Mental Health Support at 310-6789 (no area code needed) or HealthLinkBC at 8-1-1.

If you are experiencing financial barriers to accessing mental health services, the Canadian Red Cross support for residents impacted by the 2023 BC Wildfires includes financial assistance to access mental health services. To receive more information and access this support, contact BCFires2023@redcross.ca or 1-833-966-4225 from Monday to Friday between 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. PT.

Some additional mental health resources include:

• Helpline and hotline contact information 
• BC Mental Health & Substance Use Services 
• Canadian Red Cross Coping with Crisis
• Canadian Mental Health Association Coping with Mental Health Crises and Emergencies 

Yes, property owners can store concrete on their property outside of the Riparian Zone.

The concrete can only stay when it is to be used to rebuild a dwelling on the same footprint as the previous dwelling. All other concrete will have to be relocated outside of the Riparian Zone. 

No. Burying concrete for the purposes of waste disposal is not permitted and it is considered a discharge of waste to ground.   

Yes, concrete material generated onsite can be used for fill as long as the concrete is visible and not buried, landscaping, retaining walls or driveways outside of the Riparian Zone. 

Yes.

The Waste Discharge Regulation defines what activities and types of waste need to be authorized under the Environmental Management Act (EMA).

No – burying concrete would be in contravention of the Environmental Management Act.

Eight property owners submitted forms to participate in the concrete removal assessment. The information gathered was presented and discussed at the SLRD Board meeting on July 24, and based on findings, the Board determined that no further action will take place at this time. However, SLRD staff have received further information about concrete removal options from a number of provincial ministries. This additional clarity can be found in Concrete FAQs on this page, and in the email update distributed on July 29.

The Board resolution pertaining to the findings of the concrete assessment removal is as follows: 

THAT staff continue waste and transfer station management as outlined in the current 2024 budget Cost Centre #1906 (Area A Refuse Grounds), with no further consideration or subsidy for concrete removal on 2023 Downton Lake wildfire impacted properties; and 

THAT staff advocate for and request clarity from the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy, Ministry of Emergency Management and Community Readiness and Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship on the allowance of concrete debris storage on private property outside of riparian setbacks and report findings to the Board.

The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure has confirmed that they will assess and remove any dangerous trees along Gun Lake Road West. A date for this work has not yet been confirmed.

Property owners bear the responsibility for the removal of all debris on their private property. Professional contractors are recommended to be hired as local disposal sites cannot currently take full tree disposals. Contractors will be able to assess your property and remove trees to an appropriate disposal site. Contractors may also be able to recommend timber sales.

The Gold Bridge Transfer Station is currently accepting ash. To ensure a smooth experience please call ahead, as there is a maximum capacity for ash before removal must occur.

The Gold Bridge Transfer Station at this time, depending on capacity, can accept 4 cubic meters (roughly a half tonne truck load) of burnt or unburnt stumps, branches, and shrubs. 

Please refer to the Gold Bridge Transfer Station page and also Debris and Waste Management section on this website for more information.

Burnt Vehicles/ATVs/snowmobiles:

• Step one is to contact the SLRD at utilities@slrd.bc.ca to discuss your specific automobile circumstance. Sending images and a description of the vehicle is not mandatory but it can become useful. 
• Depending on the location of the burnt vehicle you may need to conduct the Hazardous Waste Materials Survey with a Licensed Contractor prior to your vehicle disposal.
• The Gold Bridge Transfer Station at this time can accept burnt metal, however the SLRD will need to issue a declaration form prior to drop off.
• When approved for disposing, ensure the vehicle is free of dust and ash. Safely clean the vehicle, following more cleaning safety tips in the Re-entry guide.

Illegal dumping is the deliberate disposal of waste materials onto public or private land where no license or approval exists to accept such waste.

To report illegal dumping, please submit a: 

• Violation Report through RAPP, and
• a Bylaw Enforcement Witness Report to the SLRD.

Why is Illegal Dumping a problem in our community?

• Environmental damage: dumped materials can harm the local environment through damaging vegetation and leaching of hazardous materials into the soil and waterways.
• Hazards and risks: dumped waste can be dangerous to people and wildlife, particularly when it includes sharp objects, glass, asbestos and other hazardous materials
• Decreased property and community value: dump sites attract more illegal dumping and other criminal activities, and they are unattractive to the local community and property investors
• Cost: continuous clearing of illegally dumped waste creates significant costs and may lead to increased taxes and tipping fees.

To start the cleanup process:

Step 1. Hire a licensed contractor to conduct a Hazardous Waste Materials survey of your property - a requirement for property owners and SLRD disposal site staff. 

A list of WorkSafeBC approved licensed contractors can be found at the bottom of the Asbestos Management page.

Step 2. Once the survey is conducted and report provided, send it to the SLRD at utilities@slrd.bc.ca

Funding is available, more information about the Hazardous Material Survey Reimbursement Program, including the reimbursement form.

For more information on clean up, view Debris and Waste Management section on this website.

Please visit the Debris and Waste Management page on the SLRD's website. 

A roll-off is an open-top dumpster characterized by a rectangular footprint and wheels to facilitate rolling the dumpster in place. The container is designed to be transported by special roll-off trucks. Roll-offs are commonly used to contain loads of construction and debris or other waste types.

The Ministry of Water, Lands and Resource Stewardship (WLRS) has provided new direction that provides an optional pathway that is designed to streamline legal processes, reduce the administrative burden on homeowners like you, provide tailored restoration direction for the unique situation of the high-intensity 2023 wildfires, and provide new technical and financial support to help rebuild and achieve the riparian recovery.

The link to the 2023 Riparian Direction can be found here: Riparian Recovery – 2023 Wildfire Rebuilding Direction

For questions, please contact: 2023RiparianDirection@gov.bc.ca

WLRS has confirmed that reimbursement has been approved for residents impacted by the 2023 wildfires that hired a qualified environmental professional for riparian permits for debris cleanup. The Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness is supporting WLRS to contact residents to facilitate the reimbursement. If you have not been contacted, please check your voicemail for outstanding messages.

For questions, please contact: EMCR.ProvincialRecovery@gov.bc.ca

Please visit the Riparian Area section on the SLRD's website.

It is a tool developed by WLRS to support the rebuilding of waterfront homes that are in riparian areas damaged by the 2023 wildfires.

If you have already started a RAPR assessment the province will be contacting you to determine if you want to opt into this approach or continue with the RAPR assessment. WLRS will also reach out to QEPs and landowners (with RAPR assessments already underway) to provide clarity and support.

Information on the Province of BC’s tax deferral program can be found on their tax deferment program application page.

For those property owners who have insurance, contact your insurance provider as they may be able to cover some of the costs associated with the cleanup. 

For those underinsured or uninsured funding has been made available to support carrying out a Hazardous Material Survey. More information, visit Hazardous Material Survey Reimbursement Program, 

Reimbursements will come via mail as a cheque to eligible residents.

The Insurance Bureau of Canada is here to help.  Send a message through their online contact form or call 1-844-227-5422.

Please visit this page about Insurance and Financial Assistance on the SLRD website. 

We reached out to BC Hydro for more information and have received the following response: 

'The Design team has clarified that the power lines installed after the fire were done by our Trouble crews as emergency work to ensure the safety of the locals and the lots that didn’t lose their homes had power reinstated quickly. Normal design processes were not followed at that time because of the safety aspect and paperwork was completed after the fact. The team confirmed we are now going through our standard planning processes (gathering approvals, completing paperwork, completing design prior to work commencing etc.).' 

BC Hydro fully appreciates the customers’ frustrations, but assured us that this work is progressing. For more information or questions on this you can reach BC Hydro directly at 1-800-224-9376.

Currently, shipping containers are permitted on properties when in support of construction and with a valid Building Permit. An amendment bylaw that could enable the use of shipping containers on affected properties will be brought to the July Board meeting, and adoption may occur by September.

As an alternative to a shipping container, residents may also consider erecting a temporary shed. In areas that allow accessory buildings under the zoning bylaw, owners may erect a shed without needing to apply for a temporary use permit.

In areas that allow accessory buildings under the zoning bylaw, owners may erect a shed without needing to apply for a temporary use permit. Parcels across the Electoral Area will have different zoning, and will need to confirm applicable permitted uses. Accessory buildings are permitted in most zones. For more information, view the applicable zoning bylaw.

For the safety of all, Provincial Health Authority regulations must be followed when it comes to building or rebuilding outhouses. The SLRD recognizes that these privy regulations are posing difficulties for some property owners. An interim and affordable option for personal use may be the purchase of a small portable toilet and privacy tent.

Outhouses/pit toilet/privies are not allowed in the SLRD. The Riparian Areas Protection Regulation (RAPR) prohibits these uses for public safety reasons. People with outhouses built before the Riparian Areas Protection Regulation (RAPR) still need to observe this legislation.  

A port-a-potty and hand-washing station (or other bathroom) is the minimum requirement for any hired workers on the property.

Step 1: Prepare your property for cleanup.

Before starting your cleanup task, review the Environmental Management Act of BC to ensure your clean-up activities follow its provisions. Prepare your property for debris and waste material removal by emailing utilities@slrd.bc.ca with your Hazardous Materials Survey report at least ten days before debris removal.

For information related to this process, please refer to the Debris and Waste Management section on this Downton Lake Wildfire Recovery page.

Step 2: Rebuild. Visit the SLRD’s Building Department webpage for information on the building process, including links to apply for a Building Permit online using our CloudPermit application platform. 

Depending on how you choose to rebuild, Development Permits might apply to your project. For additional information and resources, visit the SLRD’s Development Application Forms and Guides webpage. 

For questions and assistance regarding:

For rebuilding and building permits, contact the Building Department:
Phone: (604) 894-6371 | Email: bldgofficial@slrd.bc.ca 

For applications related to riparian or wildfire development permit areas, contact the Planning Department:
Phone: (604) 894-6371 | Email: planning@slrd.bc.ca

Please visit this Rebuilding and Permitting page on the SLRD website for more information. 

Buildings must be built to the BC Building Code, a provincial regulation governed by the Province of BC. Property owners are encouraged to contact the Building Department directly by phone: (604) 894-6371 or email bldgofficial@slrd.bc.ca. The SLRD has no minimum house size in Electoral Area A.

SLRD zoning allows for the use of an RV in conjunction with a valid building permit. RVs are considered to be vehicles. Temporary use of an RV may be allowed for up to 28 days. Any use of an RV beyond 28 days is considered to be a residential use and is not allowed anywhere in the SLRD. As “campground” and “outdoor storage” are not allowable uses in the RR1 zone, no more than one RV may be stored on a property.

RVs are recreational vehicles. The BC Building Code does not apply to vehicles. 

Yes – RVs are considered vehicles and are allowed to be stored on private property as long as they aren’t occupied for more than 28 days in a row.

SLRD enforcement is complaints-driven, including properties that are in contravention of land-use regulations and zoning bylaws.

The Gun Lake Rate Payers Association has coordinated with Cascade Environmental Resource Group to conduct water quality testing on Gun Lake.  Please visit their website (URL) for updates. As of October 2023, the SLRD has allocated $10,000 \to support the Gun Lake Ratepayers Association with this work.

For BC Lake Stewardship and Monitoring questions, please email volunteerlakes@gov.bc.ca. 

Please visit the Water Quality Testing page on the SLRD's website. 

Answers to your questions from the PWNHRA are captured in this SLRD Q&A document and this Province of BC Q&A document. You can also visit the PWNHRA page.

Please visit the land-based recovery page or view the tree replanting FAQ document for more information. 

The BRVCA Resource Management Committee recently updated their natural resource/land use committee page. It contains useful information including maps, reports, and photos on salvage logging, and additional information on Forestry in the Bridge River Valley.

Please visit the Land-Based Recovery page on the SLRD website. 

As of July 2024, a successful Northern Development Initiative Trust grant application for $20,000 will support a marketing initiative for tourism operators in the Bridge River Valley. The Cariboo Chilcotin Coast Tourism Association worked directly with businesses in the area to develop this strategic marketing plan.