A potential change in Harrison Hot Springs waste management bylaws drew opinions on both sides of the argument as council prepares for a final vote next week.
Under the staff's original suggestion, residents would be asked to place their waste out not before 5 a.m. on their collection day/ Staff decided on 5 a.m. after examining similar bylaws in other municipalities and factoring in when GFL Environmental – the village's service provider – arrives in Harrison. Mayor Fred Talen proposed an amendment that the waste should be put out not before 10 p.m. on the day prior to collection day., saying a 5 a.m. starting time might be difficult for residents to achieve and enforce.
"I understand bear-proofing and animals, but I just don't see the village complying with this in a very even way," he said. "Whether a bear attacks my compost or garbage can beside the garage or on the street is just a matter of a few yards, and I don't see how it makes a difference, to be blunt."
Talen said bins are typically out between 8 p.m. and 9 p.m. "in almost every driveway of the village," in his experience.
"I don't see the merit in having a bylaw that we know is not going to be complied with," he added.
Coun. Mark Schweinbenz said putting garbage out the night before comes into conflict with basic Bear Smart rules.The Bear Smart Community Program is a B.C.-wide conservation initiative designed to minimize human-bear conflicts. The program involves a number of possible steps, including a bear-proof waste management plan.
"Mayor Talen, with respect, this is a big step backwards," Schweinbenz said. "Garbage should be secured in your garage throughout the week. It should not be accessible to wildlife. We voted on a Bear Smart program in the village, and we knew it included changes and some enforcement and mostly education when it comes to our solid waste program."
Back in December, council approved directing village staff to update the municipal waste collection and disposal bylaw and to incorporate wildlife conflict prevention communication into their plans. The month before, council voted to have staff look into Bear Smart policies for the village and to speak with the District of Kent concerning their experiences with the program.
The vote on Talen's amendment was 3-2, with Schweinbenz and Coun. Leo Facio voting against.
Between 2015 and 2022, two bears were killed by conservation officers in Harrison Hot Springs, according to a report from the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change. Some other municipalities experienced much higher numbers, including 24 bears killed in Mission, 65 in Squamish and 73 in Coquitlam.
Council will hold their final vote on waste management bylaw amendments on Monday, March 17, during their regular meeting at 7 p.m. at Memorial Hall (290 Esplanade Ave.)
