Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/399958
WESTERN CANADA TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION 17 It has been a very busy summer and fall for the AGA-BC with political advocacy being at the forefront. In June we agreed to continue involvement with Bluestone Consulting, extending Mark Jiles' contract until December. It was felt that his work was instrumental in the huge advances the golf industry has had with various government ministers and ministries. The Pesticide Advocacy committee is well on its way to introducing documentation to help streamline the Pesticide certification program and is making headway in advancing a golf only certification track. I would like to emphasize, at this point, none of this would have been accomplished without the support of the BCGSA and the WCTA members and their monetary commitment to the AGA-BC. This truly has been an allied effort. Remaining in front of government and emphasizing the financial contribution the Golf industry has to the economy of British Columbia is crucial. The Golf Industry contributes 2.08 billion dollars to the BC economy! We have made that clear and in the past 4 weeks, have been rewarded by being recognized by the ministry of Tourism, Destinations BC and the Ministry of State for Tourism and Small Business, as a key contributor to advancing the marketing position of Golf in British Columbia. These 2 contributions alone have advanced our position with the government more than anything else in the past 20 years. The Golf Industry needs everyone pulling together to make this amazing game part of the economic fabric o f B r i t i s h Columbia. No one part is greater than the sum! I hope we can continue to count on your continued support. Sincerely, Trevor Smith President AGA-BC UDTE essae fro the llied Golf ssoiation of BC This trul has been an allied effort e ainin in front of oern ent and e hasiin the finanial ontribution the Golf industr has to the eono of British Colu bia is ruial TREOR SMITH If you own, operate, or hire diesel equipment; Metro Vancouver s Non-Road Diesel Engine Emission Bylaw 1161 may impact your business. The Bylaw was adopted in 2011 and began taking effect in 2012. M e t r o Vancouver is a c t i v e l y enforcing Bylaw 1161 to cut back on harmful d i e s e l s o o t emissions. It s the single most important step we can take to improve air quality and protect the health of our residents, said Dr. Patricia Daly, Chief Medical Health Officer, Vancouver Coastal Health. That s because the fine particles contained in diesel exhaust are a known carcinogen — a carcinogen that is responsible for two- thirds of the lifetime cancer risks from air pollutants in our region. Older non-road diesel engines without emission controls are the main target of the Bylaw. Owners or operators must register their older engines with Metro Vancouver or face serious consequences, said Ray Robb, Metro Vancouver Division Manager, Environmental Regulation and Enforcement. "Operators of these older engines register and pay fees based on how much harmful diesel soot is emitted by the engine — the good news is that by retiring or upgrading the non-road engine, registrants can receive 80% of fees paid into the program back. What you need to do: - Non-road Tier 0 and Tier 1 engines 25hp and greater must register and pay fees - Tier 0 engines that have not been registered for at least 90 days before January 1, 2015 will be prohibited from operating in Metro Vancouver - Equipment owners, operators, contractors, developers and land owners are all responsible for ensuring compliance - Reduce, eliminate, or recover registration fees paid by improving engine emissions or permanently retiring the non-road engine from Metro Vancouver Failure to comply with the Bylaw may result in a $1,000 ticket or a fine of up to $200,000 Metro Vancouver staff are here to work with you to comply with Bylaw 1161. Call them at 604-451-6655 or go to metrovancouver .org/nonroaddiesel to see the latest pamphletregister your non-road diesel engine and find out more about fee refunds. INDUSTRY RIES etro anouer ss ae ou reistered our nonroad diesel enine IMAGE CREDIT / COURTESY METRO ANCOUER IA PRESS RELEASE 05+<:;9@)90,-: BY WCTA STAFF 2015 CONFERENCE & TRADE SHOW +(;,:36*(;065 (556<5*,+ ATTENTION ALL TURF MANAGERS! The 52nd Annual Western Canada Turfgrass Association Conference and Trade Show will take place in beautiful downtown Victoria, British Columbia, March 10-12, 2015. "We are very happy to be back in Victoria for this event, our largest annual undertaking, and the organizing committee has already started looking at ways to better the program over years past," stated WCTA President and Conference Chair, Trevor Smith. "I know we can deliver another exceptional networking, education and trade show opportunity while ensuring positive changes are made that add to the value and affordability for all delegates." WCTA Vice President Brett Finlayson added, "Tremendous member support is critical to make this conference successful and to ensure a continued high level of WCTA member service. Please mark it on your calendars now with plans to attend and let your colleagues know you're coming in hopes they will see the value in attending as well." Event organization is well underway and we will provide further information in the coming months. >*;(