WHEREAS all local governments around Howe Sound are currently dealing with recent multiple referrals and applications for gravel, liquid natural gas, coal and bitumen; AND WHEREAS Howe Sound is a sensitive, ecologically significant area of unparalleled scenic beauty, and provides important ecosystem services for various First Nations, senior and local governments, and is without a land and marine use plan to facilitate a coordinated approach to land and marine use planning; AND WHEREAS there has been no discussion between the local governments and the Squamish First Nation regarding the cumulative potential impacts; AND WHEREAS there is a growing concern regarding the future of Howe Sound as commercial, industrial and recreational uses expand without an approach for assessing the cumulative impacts of those increased uses, thereby putting recent progress of significant ecosystem recovery at risk: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that UBCM urge the provincial government to support the development of a Comprehensive Management Plan for Howe Sound that facilitates a coordinated land and marine use planning process between First Nations, senior and local governments, and other local bodies to ensure ongoing recovery and responsible land use planning within Howe Sound.
Ministry of Forests, Lands Natural Resource Operations British Columbias future prosperity depends on a strong economy across multiple resource sectors as well as a healthy and sustainable environment supported by a robust regulatory regime. As such, the Province shares local governments and First Nations commitment to balancing economic, environmental and social objectives in the Howe Sound area. To this end, governments current environmental assessment process requires the review of cumulative impacts of resource development. In the South Coast Region, which includes Howe Sound, 37 percent of the land base has been designated for parks, protected areas and conservation areas. The Province supports the development of a management plan and look forward to offering appropriate assistance.