Officials look to launch regional forest task force in Kootenays

Columbia-Kootenay-Southern Rockies MP Rob Morrison says preserving the region’s natural scenery is top of mind for a number of local government partnerships in East Kootenay.

Morrison told reporters Wednesday afternoon that his team is working with officials from all levels, as well as the RCMP, to build the East Kootenay Forest Task Force.

The team, similar to the one in Okanagan, would tackle abandoned vehicles and garbage left from encampments or other visitors in local forests.

“I know almost everybody I know who hikes or goes into the backcountry always takes out more garbage than they dig in,” said Morrison. “But unfortunately, some people don’t do that.”

The project currently has no funding as it is in its infancy, but the MP is set to host a town hall on May 14 at 6 p.m. at the Prestige Hotel in Cranbrook.

“We were hoping, at that meeting, we get some volunteers, and then our next plan will be to have a fundraiser at a Save On Foods or one of our bigger centres to have people come and show them what we’re trying to do and donations.”

The task force would be based out of Key City and offer services throughout the region’s rural areas. 

The Okanagan branch has been tasked with starting the group in the East Kootenay, with the newly formed Facebook group having 427 members at the time of writing.

Residents are encouraged to use the Okanagan Forest Task Force mobile app to report garbage in the East Kootenay.