Wednesday, October 31, 2018 | Your community newspaper since 1916
CITIZEN PHOTO BY BRENT BRAATEN
Picket line CUPW members strike at the Canada Post facility on Penn Road Tuesday morning. They started the 24-hour strike on Monday at noon. This is all part of rotating strikes across the country. For full coverage of the postal strike, see page 4.
Low-flowing rivers Operation Red Nose linked to climate change looking for 300 volunteers Mark NIELSEN Citizen staff mneilsen@pgcitizen.ca
Citizen staff
The unseasonably low water levels along the Fraser and Nechako rivers – and all the events that have led up to it – may be a typical sight in the years to come, according to a provincial government hydrologist. “In a lot of ways, when we look at climate change projections, the types of things that we expect to happen more frequently are very much demonstrated this year,” River Forecast Centre head Dave Campbell said Tuesday. Unprecedented heat followed by unseasonably dry weather has led to the current situation. Exceptionally warm temperatures in April and May caused the snowpack to melt more rapidly than usual and over the last three months the amount of rainfall has been “less than half or even a third” of what the region typically gets. “And probably the biggest driver has been that persistent dry weather,” Campbell added. As of Tuesday, the Fraser’s level at South Fort George stood at 3.5 metres, compared to 5.3 metres on the same day last year, according to Environment Canada measurements. “We’ve seen this year extremes at either end,” Campbell said. “The early melt, which was quite extreme and then the dry, lowflow season which is also extreme in terms of the context of the longterm history of this river.” Although the lowest on the 70
Today’s Weather Hi +5° Low -3° See page 2 for more details and short-term forecasts
CITIZEN PHOTO BY BRENT BRAATEN
With water levels very low on the Nechako and Fraser rivers, people are able to walk on the river bed. years of records the RFC has kept, Campbell said the current depth is still higher than what is usually seen during the winter as the headwaters get snowed in and produce less runoff. Looking ahead, Campbell said a bit of rain over the next 10 days is in the forecast. “So there might be a bit of a bump up but at this point we’re not expecting any major correction in terms of the flows,” he said. Because its wells are about 30 metres deep, the city’s water supply has not been affected. “However, residents should at all times be conserving water, and
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are reminded that the city’s water use restrictions are in effect all year round,” city spokesperson Mike Kellett said. “The cost of the infrastructure, maintenance, pumping, and treating of the water is the primary reason for the city’s efforts towards water conservation.” On Thursday, the Nechako Watershed Roundtable core committee issued a “statement of concern” saying it has “grave concerns for the health of the Nechako Watershed following a decade of unprecedented wildfire, and other changes, in our watershed.” — see ‘EVERYTHING, page 3
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are subject to a criminal record check. The first step is to go to www.ornpg.ca and fill out the application. Those who have volunteered for the last three years can forgo the criminal record check – on the application click the box saying no screening is needed, print it off, sign it and drop it off with Karen at T & S Communications, 2276 Nicholson St. All new volunteers, or those who have less than three years experience, must fill out the standard application. They must print it out and take it, along with their driver’s license, to the Prince George RCMP detachment at 455 Victoria St. Volunteers will then be called by the RCMP if they have cleared the check. In 2017, 838 rides in nine nights were delivered in Prince George. In 2016, 872 rides in nine nights were delivered in Prince George, and 1,059 rides in 2015.
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Our volunteers who return year after year have a great time knowing they’ve made a difference in the community.
Operation Red Nose Prince George is seeking volunteers for this holiday season. The designated driving service will take to the roads on Nov. 30, Dec. 1, Dec. 7 and 8, Dec. 14 and 15, Dec. 22 and 23 and New Year’s Eve. “We’d love to have a total of 300 volunteers to ensure we can meet the demand for rides we expect during the holiday season, especially on New Year’s Eve,” said ORN spokesperson Andrea Johnson. “Our volunteers who return year after year have a great time knowing they’ve made a difference in the community. We guarantee new volunteers will feel the same way.” The service is organized by the Rotary Club of Prince GeorgeNechako, in partnership with the RCMP and ICBC. It allows partygoers to not only get themselves home safely, but their vehicles too. Rides are free but donations are welcome and the proceeds go to local youth and amateur sport organizations. On average, about 15 road teams of three will be on call each night of service, working from 9 p.m. to 3 a.m. Volunteers can be part of a road team of three or work behind the scenes answering phones at ORN headquarters. They must be 19 years old, have a valid driver’s license and
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— Andrea Johnson
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