The Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako (RDBN) is moving forward with new steps to help tackle illegal dumping on Crown land, following board discussions and advice from the Conservation Officer Service.

The RDBN's Director of Planning Jason Llewellyn recommended sending a letter to the Minister of Environment and Parks and starting a community clean-up program, in a report shared with the RDBN board on March 27, 2025. These steps follow up on decisions made by the board in November 2024 to put more focus on the issue.

Conservation Officers appeared before the board at a meeting in January 2025 and explained that while they are working to deal with illegal dumping, they face challenges due to limited staff and funding. They said illegal dumping enforcement is a priority after public safety and hunting regulations, but it鈥檚 not always possible to keep up. Officers also said that cleaning up dumping sites can help stop people from adding more garbage, and that signs are useful in the right locations鈥攂ut signs are often vandalized in remote areas.

The board is now pushing the Province to do more. In a letter to Environment and Parks Minister Tamara Davidson, RDBN Chair Mark Parker wrote, 鈥淲e are seeing an increase in illegal dumping in the region despite our efforts to provide cost effective recycling and waste disposal options for residents. We are not able to independently address this issue, which is having a notable impact on the environment, and the experience of the users of Crown land.鈥�

The letter asks the province to put more money and staff toward cleaning up dumping sites and enforcing the rules. It also says the regional district is willing to help by sharing information and raising public awareness.

Along with asking the province to do more and posting signs at key locations, the RDBN is also looking to support local groups that want to help clean up. Staff are proposing a small program that could offer funding for supplies like garbage bags and gloves, waive dumping fees for cleanup events, and provide a brochure with safe cleanup tips and sorting guidelines.

Although the RDBN can鈥檛 enforce dumping laws on its own, staff say these efforts鈥攅specially with support from the province鈥攃ould help stop illegal dumping and make a real difference across the region.