West Bench

The RDOS is currently fleshing out 1+3 alternatives for the West Bench water system upgrade (the status quo is not reallly an option since it does not meet IHA's standards; it is included only to provide a baseline against which to evaluate the cost of the other alternatives).  The fourth option (not included in the July 22nd newsletter to residents) is the extraterritorial arrangement with the City of Penticton that failed to attract sufficient support in the 2010 referendum.  I have asked RDOS staff to include it for completeness.

At the request of the West Bench Irrigation District’s (WBID) Board of Trustees, the Province of British Columbia has officially dissolved WBID and transferred responsibility for the West Bench water system to the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen (RDOS). This will ensure access to federal and provincial grants necessary for water system upgrades required by the Interior Health Authority (IHA) as well as ongoing operations and maintenance. In addition, a number of options for improvements are being proposed.

Although this water project has been going on for many years and residents have a good understanding of the issues, the RDOS is committed to a full process of public consultation BEFORE making a formal recommendation to residents.  I envision public consultation consisting of three stages:

(coming soon)

Mariposa Park is located in a gully at the south end of Vedette Drive on the West Bench. It is a beautiful location and home of the famous West Bench Easter Egg Hunt.

Selby Park is located on West Bench drive north of West Bench Elementary School.  The park was named for Eric Selby, a veteran and driving force in the establishment of the West Bench Veterans' Land Act (VLA) project.

The park is currently popular with mountain bikers, who use the park to access Penticton Indian Band lands to the west and north.

Amenities

• Grassy area
• Shade trees
• Some playground equipment
• Riding ring
• Parking along West Bench Drive

Projects

RDOS applied for and received $18,000 in Federal matching grants in 2010 for park upgrades in Area F. The matching grants permitted the RDOS to undertake several projects for which the cost to Area F taxpayers was only 50% of the total.

As you may have seen in the newspaper (story in the Penticton Herald and Oliver Daily News), the WBID and RDOS are working together to resolve the water issue on the West Bench.  A proposal is going before the provincial cabinet to disolve the WBID and pass responsiblity for water on the West Bench to the RDOS.  The RDOS would then create a service area corresponding to the boundaries of the WBID.

Right now we are waiting for an Order-In-Council from the province to execute the transfer.  Until then, the WBID remains responsible for water on the West Bench.

I received the following update from RDOS staff on January 5th regarding the horse feeding stations.

To date [the hay provider] has delivered 4 bales.  He noted approximately 25 horses on site after the first visit.  His counts indicate approximately 40 horses in the area.  His last delivery was two bales.  One was eaten down in a couple of days, the other is about half consumed. The exposed grass in the area will slow feeding on the hay.  Once we have more snow cover, the hay will go more quickly.

My unscientific conclusion based on my own observation at this point is that the feeding stations are working but not as well as in 2009-10.  I see more horses roaming on the West Bench and there is certainly evidence of their presence along West Bench roads.  Perhaps there are more horses this winter.

I am interested in hearing whether you think the feeding stations are working.