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News Release

For immediate release April 30, 2008

Fine particulate matter readings improve in Quesnel Quesnel Air Quality Roundtable presents latest findings

QUESNEL, B.C. – Quesnel’s air quality is improving. That’s the message coming from the Quesnel Air Quality Roundtable after its meeting on Tuesday April 29.

Quesnel has seen improvements over the last three years in the levels of fine particulate matter in the air as measured at three monitoring sites (Quesnel Secondary School, Correlieu Secondary School and Maple Drive School). In fact, in 2007 measured values at all three sites were at their lowest recorded levels.

“This is a remarkable achievement for our community. We know we are moving in the right direction,” said Quesnel Air Quality Roundtable Chair Dora MacMillan. “This remains a long-term vision and investment in our community’s health and I look forward to Quesnel making continued improvements as the years pass.”

MacMillan added that the education efforts of the Air Quality Roundtable have played a role in increasing awareness of the importance of being mindful of air quality. She also praised the efforts of each stakeholder who sits at the Roundtable and acknowledged their continued participation in the process.

It was also noted at the meeting that Total Reduced Sulphur levels at the downtown site were at their lowest levels ever recorded, coinciding with the good work done by area pulp mills.

Earle Plain, an air quality meteorologist with the Ministry of Environment acknowledged that reductions in emissions over the past three years would definitely have contributed to the measured improvements; however, weather conditions also play a major role. Air monitoring will continue and the Roundtable will continue asking for improvements from the stakeholders.

The Air Quality Roundtable has also launched a new website – www.quesnelairshed.org – that provides information about the roundtable, the planning process and updated reports from each stakeholder outlining the progress made to date.

McMillan noted that the typical resident won’t see immediate, noticeable changes as a result of the Roundtable’s efforts. Rather, incremental steps towards improving air quality will have long-term, cumulative effects that should be favourable when compared to previous years.

The Quesnel Air Quality Roundtable is a voluntary, multi-stakeholder, community-driven initiative that has developed an improvement plan for air quality in Quesnel.

-30-

For further information, please contact
Dora McMillan, Chair
Quesnel Air Quality Roundtable
Phone: (250) 992-3770
Web: www.quesnelairshed.org

From Jim Vanderwal, Program Manager Fraser Basin Council

Thank you for attending our forum last month in Penticton – we received a lot of positive feedback on the day. Thanks also to all of the speakers for their excellent presentations, and to Ministry of Environment for funding support.

As was promised during the forum, the presentations have been loaded onto the Fraser Basin Council website, and are available at:
http://www.fraserbasin.bc.ca/programs/clean_air_2008.html

Also attached is a summary of the day courtesy of Lynn Lashuk with the BC Agriculture Council – thanks very much Lynn!

Thank you to those who filled out evaluations, this information is very valuable in planning future events. Based on your feedback the top presentations this year were:
Janice Johnson, RDOS, Innovative programs for agricultural plastic and wood waste recycling
Chris Moslin, Boundary Air Quality Committee, Boundary Air Quality – Advice on Getting Started in a Small Community
Corey Davis, City of Kelowna, Central Okanagan and Valley-Wide Air Quality Initiatives
Sara Leckie, UBC, Evaluating the Air Quality and Health Impacts of a Woodstove Exchange Program in BC

Looking forward to seeing you at the BC Clean Air Forum 2009 – location TBA.

One other resource to make you aware of -- we recently launched the Green Fleets BC website giving comprehensive information on practical actions that can be taken to reduce emissions and fuel costs in all types of vehicle fleets http://www.greenfleets.ca
The site includes practical information and success stories on implementing alternative fuels, efficient trucking technologies and green practices. Watch for announcements related to demonstration programs and other incentives in the coming months. There is also an e-mail list and newsletter for those interest in receiving information on a more regular basis.

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	Download the FBC Clean Air Forum Summary PDF (131 kb) (Please note, a blank screen will appear. This is normal. Closing the window will cancel the download.)	What's New News Release For immediate release April 30, 2008 Fine particulate matter readings improve in Quesnel Quesnel Air Quality Roundtable presents latest findings QUESNEL, B.C. – Quesnel’s air quality is improving. That’s the message coming from the Quesnel Air Quality Roundtable after its meeting on Tuesday April 29. Quesnel has seen improvements over the last three years in the levels of fine particulate matter in the air as measured at three monitoring sites (Quesnel Secondary School, Correlieu Secondary School and Maple Drive School). In fact, in 2007 measured values at all three sites were at their lowest recorded levels. “This is a remarkable achievement for our community. We know we are moving in the right direction,” said Quesnel Air Quality Roundtable Chair Dora MacMillan. “This remains a long-term vision and investment in our community’s health and I look forward to Quesnel making continued improvements as the years pass.” MacMillan added that the education efforts of the Air Quality Roundtable have played a role in increasing awareness of the importance of being mindful of air quality. She also praised the efforts of each stakeholder who sits at the Roundtable and acknowledged their continued participation in the process. It was also noted at the meeting that Total Reduced Sulphur levels at the downtown site were at their lowest levels ever recorded, coinciding with the good work done by area pulp mills. Earle Plain, an air quality meteorologist with the Ministry of Environment acknowledged that reductions in emissions over the past three years would definitely have contributed to the measured improvements; however, weather conditions also play a major role. Air monitoring will continue and the Roundtable will continue asking for improvements from the stakeholders. The Air Quality Roundtable has also launched a new website – www.quesnelairshed.org – that provides information about the roundtable, the planning process and updated reports from each stakeholder outlining the progress made to date. McMillan noted that the typical resident won’t see immediate, noticeable changes as a result of the Roundtable’s efforts. Rather, incremental steps towards improving air quality will have long-term, cumulative effects that should be favourable when compared to previous years. The Quesnel Air Quality Roundtable is a voluntary, multi-stakeholder, community-driven initiative that has developed an improvement plan for air quality in Quesnel. -30- For further information, please contact Dora McMillan, Chair Quesnel Air Quality Roundtable Phone: (250) 992-3770 Web: www.quesnelairshed.org From Jim Vanderwal, Program Manager Fraser Basin Council Thank you for attending our forum last month in Penticton – we received a lot of positive feedback on the day. Thanks also to all of the speakers for their excellent presentations, and to Ministry of Environment for funding support. As was promised during the forum, the presentations have been loaded onto the Fraser Basin Council website, and are available at: http://www.fraserbasin.bc.ca/programs/clean_air_2008.html Also attached is a summary of the day courtesy of Lynn Lashuk with the BC Agriculture Council – thanks very much Lynn! Thank you to those who filled out evaluations, this information is very valuable in planning future events. Based on your feedback the top presentations this year were: Janice Johnson, RDOS, Innovative programs for agricultural plastic and wood waste recycling Chris Moslin, Boundary Air Quality Committee, Boundary Air Quality – Advice on Getting Started in a Small Community Corey Davis, City of Kelowna, Central Okanagan and Valley-Wide Air Quality Initiatives Sara Leckie, UBC, Evaluating the Air Quality and Health Impacts of a Woodstove Exchange Program in BC Looking forward to seeing you at the BC Clean Air Forum 2009 – location TBA. One other resource to make you aware of -- we recently launched the Green Fleets BC website giving comprehensive information on practical actions that can be taken to reduce emissions and fuel costs in all types of vehicle fleets http://www.greenfleets.ca The site includes practical information and success stories on implementing alternative fuels, efficient trucking technologies and green practices. Watch for announcements related to demonstration programs and other incentives in the coming months. There is also an e-mail list and newsletter for those interest in receiving information on a more regular basis.