With the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District (SLRD) set to observe the Day of the Honey Bee on May 29, a staff request for direction last week sparked an interesting discussion at the board table on Monday about whether or not the regional district is doing enough to support beekeeping.
The report, presented at the board's monthly meeting on April 23 in Pemberton, touched on the worldwide decline of honey bees and how certain pesticides used in agricultural practices can cause "colony collapse."
Staff explained that other jurisdictions in B.C. have developed legislation to permit beekeeping in residential areas and asked the board if it would like to follow on those leads. However, the board determined that since current bylaws do not specifically prohibit beekeeping, the practice is already legal.
Pemberton Mayor Jordan Sturdy, himself a beekeeper, said the Village of Pemberton passed a bylaw allowing beekeeping in residentially zoned areas several years ago. He was one of several directors who said they'd be more interested in reviewing the SLRD's pesticide regulations.
But despite its general interest in such a project, the board determined that an examination of the SLRD's current pesticide regulations would take up too much staff resources to go forward at this time.
"In terms of pesticide use, that's a pretty significant project if we open that door," board chair Susie Gimse. "We'd be looking at a fairly significant workload for staff."
Although the board resolved not to act further on the request for direction, directors expressed thanks to staff for raising the issue.
"I was pleased staff took the initiative to bring this to our attention," said Squamish director Patricia Heintzman. "I like the fact you're bringing those type of things to us."
