The majority of the residents of the RDKB live within a mile of a major provincial highway or rail line. These transportation links are the life-blood of our economy carrying natural resources and manufactured materials through our communities. It is this movement of materials along railroads and highways that presents the greatest risk for material spills in our area.

In the event of a major materials spill the BC Provincial Emergency Plan  identifies the BC Ministry of Environment office in Nelson as the regional response centre for materials spills in the RDKB. They can be reached at (250) 354.5904.

The RDKB's Emergency Management Plan guides and coordinates the response to materials spills for all responding agencies.

The purpose of the Plan is to prioritize the response of emergency response is to:

• Save lives
• Reduce suffering
• Protect property
• mitigate damage to the environment
• control economic consequences of the emergency