Whereas watershed management lacks provincial oversight and capacity resulting in inadequate watershed management and consideration in the landscape level planning within BC; And whereas local governments and Non-Governmental Organizations NGO do not have the jurisdictional authority, capacity and resources needed to properly manage watersheds to ensure the long-term health and sustainability of watershed: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM lobby the Province of BC to work with local governments and NGOs to define the authorities and responsibilities while providing adequate resources needed to ensure proper watershed stewardship.
Ministry of Land, Water and Resource Stewardship Sustainably managing our watersheds is one of the most important things we can do to create a healthier and more resilient future for people and communities across BC Developing a Watershed Security Strategy Strategy and Watershed Security Fund Fund is a mandate letter commitment for the Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy with support from the Minister of State for Lands and Natural Resource Operations and the Parliamentary Secretary for Fisheries and Aquaculture. Government engaged on a discussion paper with local governments in the first part of 2022. Themes explored during engagement included watershed governance, reconciliation, climate change, ecosystems, drinking water, land use planning, community and economic stability, and education and knowledge. We are looking forward to having discussions with local governments and external stakeholders to develop the Strategy. We anticipate further engagement on an intentions paper in SpringSummer 2022, with a completed Strategy and Fund ready for in Spring 2023. At the same time, government is working with Indigenous partners to jointly build an enduring engagement and collaboration process needed to ensure our success. The Strategy and Fund must also reflect the Provinces commitment to true, lasting reconciliation and be consistent with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act. Over the coming months the Province will explore a range of options for developing the Fund. Learnings from the 27 million Healthy Watersheds Initiative, part of the BC Economic Recovery Plan, will inform development of the Watershed Security Fund.