Whereas BC has experienced unprecedented wildfire activity resulting in significant detrimental and toxic environmental impacts, especially within riparian areas; And whereas many homeowners who have been impacted by wildfires are unable to afford the expensive assessments due to financial constraints thereby not proceeding with cleanup on their properties; And whereas the lack of a timely and flexible Riparian Area Protection Regulation RAPR permit process has not only hindered legitimate cleanup efforts but has also given rise to an increase in reports of illegal dumping causing additional environmental harm; And whereas the Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship was responsive to developing an expedited and flexible assessment process for wildfire debris cleanup: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM ask the Ministry of Water, Land, and Resource Stewardship to prioritize the development and implementation of an expedited process for cleaning up wildfire debris in riparian areas and develop clear policy guidelines to support the post-wildfire debris cleanup in riparian areas in preparation for future wildfires.
Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship The Province acknowledges the concerns raised regarding barriers faced by homeowners during initial clean- up post wildfire and with rebuilding. The Riparian Areas Protection Regulation RAPR was developed to address incremental development and had unintended consequences of hindering clean-up and rebuilding following natural disaster. The Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship WLRS implemented a two-phased approach with expedited processes for wildfire clean-up and re-building in riparian areas to support 2023 wildfire recovery: 1. Supplemental Riparian Guidance to the Environmental Management Act Direction supporting clean-up activities, and 2. Riparian Recovery 2023 Wildfire Rebuilding Direction supporting rebuilding. Combined, these processes address delays caused by the current RAPR permitting process, address unintended consequences such as illegal dumping and further ecological degradation, and have expedited riparian related approvals for rebuilding. Financial support was provided to property owners through reimbursements for Qualified Environmental Professional fees related to obtaining a RAPR assessment reports for debris cleanup and rebuilding. Further, WLRS is continuing to provide support to expedite waterfront property riparian recovery through riparian restoration guidance and additional financial support for replanting. WLRS is currently reviewing the outcomes of these processes and making considerations for RAPR program improvements that will better address riparian redevelopment resulting from natural disaster recovery. The Province is committed to building long-term resilience and ensuring that environmental protection measures remain effective and adaptable.