Proposed Provincial Riparian Areas Regulation

WHEREAS UBCM resolved in 2002 that a new riparian assessment regulation must: -Provide liability protection for local government when making land use decisions based on a report by a qualified Environmental Professional on fish habitat; -Ensure that no new responsibilities are downloaded on local government and that all training costs and management costs required to implement the new regulation are paid for by either the federal or provincial government; -Ensure the process is timely and cost effective, from the community perspective; -Ensure an integrated approach is implemented to avoid conflicts between the levels of government; -Ensure a balance is maintained between development and protection of the environment; AND WHEREAS the City of Port Moody is opposed to the development of new riparian assessment regulations without meaningful consultation with local government: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that UBCM not sign onto the tripartite agreement for implementing a Riparian Areas Regulation RAR unless the following measures are met: -Legal review of regulations to determine implications to local government; -Full liability protection for local governments; -Full involvement of local governments in the Guidebook development; AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the RAR be extended to include institutional land uses, including federal and provincial Crown lands.