Whereas the Fraser River Estuary is a diverse and productive ecosystem, supporting over 100 species at risk, including salmon and southern resident killer whales, and, is under increased development pressure and impacts of climate change, including flooding of industrial and agricultural lands, and would benefit from a regional planning approach that balances the needs of the ecosystem, people and the economy; And whereas Indigenous people have lived in and stewarded the Fraser River Estuary since time immemorial, and know the various species, habitat, and ecosystems as integral to their existence and identity, and are integral to the planning and governance of the of the Fraser River Estuary: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM call on the federal and provincial governments to allocate the necessary resources and appropriately fund and support a renewed Fraser River Estuary Management planning process that will collectively protect the ecosystem of the Estuary through inter-agency collaboration; And be it further resolved that the planning process includes, but is not limited to: First Nations, federal government and provincial governments.
Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development The Lower Fraser River is a place of fundamental cultural importance to local First Nations, a globally important ecosystem, and supports numerous industrial activities of national and global significance. The importance of clear management objectives for the Lower Fraser River is fully supported by the province. The LFR is currently being managed under a variety of existing policies and through a complexity of jurisdictions. The South Coast Region has focused increased resources in the last several years to explore opportunities and further relationships with First Nations, improve administrative alignment, develop Fraser River mapping tools, and clarify the ministrys key values and objectives. Looking forward, developing a Coast Marine Strategy may also have linkages to an inter-governmental approach that overlaps with portions of the LFR estuary as well as tools and products being contemplated to advance Marine Spatial Planning in the south coast region. Exploratory work is also occurring to identify options to address matters of cumulative effects from existing development as well as new development while being mindful of the jurisdictional complexity. In determining what additional planning might be appropriate in the LFR, the province has indicated a willingness to participate in Metro Vancouvers task force concept for the purpose of exploring options to improve management coordination while remaining cognisant of jurisdictional and resourcing constraints. Any inter-governmental approach will need to start with strong support, collaboration, and leadership from and amongst appropriate First Nation communities and leadership. Federal government support and active engagement is also critical to advance a renewed vision for the LFR. The province has generally found more focused and well scaled management and planning initiatives to be the most efficient and effective way to influence land and resource management. Until such time as there has been suitable exploration of the various challenges, including overlaps with existing initiatives, and collaborative engagement across all levels of government, the province is not in a position to pursue further funding and resource commitments.