By: Rachael Lesosky, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Valley Voice
Pam Warkentin with Take Action on Radon presented the results of the ‘100 Radon Test Kit Challenge.’ The initiative provides 100 free radon test kits to communities so residents can measure radon levels in their homes. Nakusp participated during the winter of 2024-25. Forty-two households received detectors, and 34 were returned.
Radon is a naturally occurring, odourless radioactive gas that is released when underground uranium deposits break down. It enters buildings where they have contact with the ground. Typically, the highest levels are found in the basement or on the first floor, but over time it can build up to reach upper levels.
Radon exposure is the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers, and greatly increases the risk for smokers, said Warkentin. Health Canada estimates over 3,000 Canadians per year die of radon-related lung cancer. Take Action on Radon is a national program to increase awareness of the seriousness of the issue.
Health Canada’s guidelines suggest taking action if radon levels exceed 200 becquerels per cubic metre. Warkentin reported that 11.8% of tested Nakusp households had levels between 200 and 600, 35.3% had levels between 100 and 200, and 52.9% had less than 100.
To best lower radon levels, Warkentin recommends hiring a certified radon mitigation professional. Find a professional at www.c-nrpp.ca/find-a-professional.
The Canadian Lung Association recently launched a new grant program to help people afford radon mitigation services. The Lungs Matter Grant Program provides financial support to individuals who have been diagnosed with lung cancer, and individuals in low-to-moderate income households.
Visit takeactiononradon.ca for more information.
Elections and assent voting bylaw
Council adopted updates to the Election and Assent Voting Bylaw, in advance of the upcoming general local election.
A person must now provide a minimum of 10 nominators to be eligible to run for office. For the past three or four decades, Nakusp has only required two nominators, but that’s technically in contravention of the Local Government Act.
Election campaign signs must now be placed only on private property; must be taken down within 48 hours after general election day; and must not be displayed within a 100-metre radius of voting locations on the days of the advance and general elections.
The bylaw update also outlines special voting opportunities: Arrow Lakes General Hospital on general voting day from 9:30 to 11 am, and Halcyon House Assisted Living on general voting day from 2 to 3:30 pm – limited to electors who are residents, patients, or workers at these locations. Previously, the bylaw only specified special voting was open to residents.
The nomination period for this year’s election opens September 1.
Streamlining development approvals
The Village will take part in the RDCK’s regional application to the UBCM Local Government Development Approvals Program (LGDAP).
The grant was established to support local governments in improving the efficiency, clarity, and effectiveness of approval processes for development such as subdivisions and rezoning.
Water Smart Action Plan
The Village updated its Water Smart Action Plan. The plan was originally developed in 2011 as part of the Columbia Basin Water Smart Charter. Nakusp committed to reducing its water consumption levels by 15%.
The last update was in 2016. This plan covers 2026-2030.
Due to distribution system leakage and high summer irrigation demand, the 2016 plan reported a 1% increase in water consumption from the 2009 baseline. But in 2024, the Village achieved a 15% decrease in gross demand from 2009 thanks to finding and fixing leaks, and lower irrigation demand in the shoulder seasons.
The 2026-2030 plan reflects changes in the Village since 2016. The service population grew to 1,869 (from 1,772) after including areas serviced outside of Village limits. There are now 971 connections (up from 885), and a third groundwater well was added to the system. Peak demand capacity grew from 95 litres per second, to 104. The 2021 Official Community Plan also replaced the 2007 OCP.
The new Water Smart Action Plan will continue actions outlined in the 2016: night flow analysis and infrastructure leakage index (ILI) calculation; source metre calibration; climate/demand trend analysis; water loss management training; and water regulation review. Removed from the plan are the Water Smart Ambassador outreach program; the OCP amendment on underground irrigation systems; and detailed water metering discussions.
Flexible work arrangements
Council adopted a policy that will allow certain employees to work flexible hours.
The Flexible Work Arrangement for Management Policy provides guidelines for flexible work for exempt employees. It aims to improve work-life balance while ensuring work week hours, productivity, and departmental operations are met.
In 2025, CAO Wayne Robinson offered flexible work arrangements to exempt employees to try out modified work weeks. It’s proven to be a benefit to the Village: employees are able to work more during crunch times, while making use of flex days for downtime to recover. It also gives employees a choice in their work weeks, increasing satisfaction with the organization.
Support for electricity producers
The Village will send a letter in support of fair wholesale electricity rates for all power producers, especially small, local hydro operations.
Council received a letter from Hal Wright, Manager of Silversmith Power and Light Corporation in Sandon. In the letter, Wright says that the survival of Silversmith Hydroelectric Station is in jeopardy due to provincial policy decisions and inequitable wholesale rates.
“In the last decade, virtually all locally owned clean hydroelectric operations have been terminated by the provincial government and its Crown corporations,” he writes. “Nelson Hydro, the only remaining municipal hydroelectric generation system, is also under attack.”
The Village’s letter will focus on fairness and equity for all power producers, particularly smaller hydro operations.
Alpenglow Mountain Escapes
Karla Kuharic, founder of Alpenglow Mountain Escapes, shared with council how her business supports the Village’s tourism and economic development goals while operating responsibly on municipal land.
Alpenglow is a locally owned company offering small group outdoor and nature wellness experiences such as group hiking, wildlife viewing, ecology tours, and forest bathing.
Kuharic gave special attention to her forest bathing offering. Also known as Shinrin-yoku, the experience includes a two- to three-hour walk through the forest near the hot springs, led by a certified forest therapy guide. It concludes with a soak in the hot springs.
Alpenglow is collaborating with the Nakusp & District Chamber of Commerce, Arrow Slocan Tourism Association, Kootenay Rockies Tourism, Destination BC, and Little Travel Group in the Netherlands. She hopes her offerings will bring wellness-motivated travellers to the area during the shoulder seasons to support year-round revenue.
“I’m very excited to contribute to Nakusp’s future in a way that is thoughtful, sustainable, and community-focused,” Kuharic said.
