The Columbia-Shuswap Regional District says it has issued building permits for 12 projects in the North Shuswap as the community continues to rebuild after last summer’s wildfire season.

The CSRD also says it has also issued 11 Development Permits, with 10 more building permits – eight for single-family homes – and 11 development permits currently being processed, nine months after the Bush Creek East Fire wreaked havoc across the North Shuswap.

“We are thrilled to have issued these building permits and see these residents move forward with their projects following the devastation caused by the Bush Creek East wildfire,” Gerald Christie, the CSRD’s General Manager of Development Services said.

“Rebuilding is happening now in the North Shuswap, and we are committed to working through the necessary processes with property owners as quickly as possible.”

However, Christie says one of the issues they’re running into is provincial red tape.

“We have some previous buildings that were burnt down that were constructed some time ago, in very close proximity to the lake,” he noted.  “That does have some challenges with regards to provincial legislation that came out a few years back with regards to building close to a riparian area.”

The 456-square kilometre Bush Creek East fire destroyed 176 homes and cabins in the Columbia Shuswap Regional District. About 50 other CSRD properties were partially damaged by the fire, which went on a massive 20-kilometre run in mid-August, because of sustained winds brought on by a cold front.

The CSRD says about 109 properties that were affected by the fire will likely require a development permit prior to the issuance of a building permit.

A blanket moratorium on the issuance of new building permits in fire-affected areas was lifted in October last year, with the CSRD noting in March that it was expecting to see an uptick in rebuilding efforts.

“We do have dedicated staff that are dealing with those in the planning department, as well as the building department, so we can try and issue those as quickly possible for people so that they’re not missing out on another construction season,” Christie told Radio NL. “CSRD Development Services staff will review building ideas and work with property owners to explain all the regulations and requirements specific to the property. Staff can also suggest possible options for development.”

As part of the process, the CSRD says other agencies such as the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, BC Hydro, as well as local water and sewage providers, may need to be engaged in the process.