Whereas in response to persistent drought conditions and other climate change effects that are placing considerable stress on supplies of safe, reliable water, the Province of British Columbia has launched new regulatory and enforcement tools as well as funding programs targeting the agricultural sector; And whereas efforts by the agricultural sector to develop more efficient water infrastructure, management, supply and storage to maximize available water is being impeded by lengthy, costly, and complex grant application and water licencing processes as well as conflicting guidance from different ministries involved in water management: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM lobby the Province of British Columbia to mandate the Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship and the Ministry of Agriculture and Food to work together in a concerted manner to simplify administrative processes, remove excessive requirements, reduce processing times, ensure consistent policy and enforcement, and provide greater support to farmers, ranchers and agricultural producers in improving water management, supply and storage.
