WHEREAS the safe, responsible and environmentally sensitive use of our inland waterways for recreational and other purposes is a high priority with many federal and provincial agencies having specific interests and roles in the regulation and protection of these valuable resources; AND WHEREAS there is no single agency, comprehensive plan, nor adequate regulatory and enforcement framework to sufficiently ensure that these resources are effectively protected and managed for the long term benefit of all residents and users throughout BC; THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Union of British Columbia Municipalities UBCM requests that the provincial government immediately take a leadership role and initiate an Inland Waterways Task Force, with stakeholder representation including, but not limited to: - Provincial Ministry of Environment - Provincial Ministry of Transportation Infrastructure - Provincial Ministry of Health Services - Provincial Ministry of Community Development - Fisheries Oceans Canada - Integrated Land Management Bureau - Transport Canada Office of Boating Safety - RCMP - Various local governments, including First Nations to review the current recreational, environmental and water quality issues related to the safe, shared use of inland waterways and bring forward a comprehensive plan to better manage, regulate, and enforce the shared use of these valuable resources.
Integrated Land Management Bureau The development of an Inland Waterways Task Force would require cooperation between a number of agencies at several levels of government. Due to the high complexity of the issues involved, careful deliberation among provincial ministries will be necessary to consider the possible composition of and distribution of responsibilities in any such Task Force. Preliminary discussions are being arranged to determine how management of inland waterways may be better addressed.