WHEREAS many municipalities are experiencing or likely will experience considerable growth in development, especially in marine and freshwater shoreline development; AND WHEREAS there is increasing scientific evidence that marine riparian areas are as important as freshwater ones, and that sea levels will likely continue to rise and the size and frequency of storm surges likely increase; AND WHEREAS many natural marine and freshwater shorelines act as pollution filters and buffers to erosion, thus helping to protect water quality and safeguard public health, municipal infrastructure and private property: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Union of BC Municipalities request that the provincial government pay extra attention to emerging values and roles of natural marine riparian areas in helping protect our coastal communities and the ocean waters beside them; AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Union of BC Municipalities promote the values of riparian buffers along its members marine and freshwater shorelines through policies, model bylaws and guidelines, as well as through public education and awareness, whether or not there are Development Permit Areas or Environmentally Sensitive Areas designated or established.
MINISTRY OF WATER, LAND AND AIR PROTECTION Through agreement between Minister Barisoff and Frank Leonard, UBCM past President, a plan is in place for UBCM, local governments and the ministry to work collaboratively in developing and initiating an implementation strategy for the RAR. Prior to the UBCM annual convention WLAP and UBCM hosted regional meetings in Nanaimo, Surrey and Kelowna to provide full briefings to local governments on the regulation and the next steps of the strategy implementation. Implementation of this regulation will meet the intent of resolution B78 in freshwater riparian habitats in the local government areas to which it applies. Once the RAR is implemented the Ministry would be willing to discuss extension of the results based model exemplified by RAR to other habitat types, other types of developments, and other areas of the province. Currently the federal Fisheries Act provides protection for all riparian habitats, including those not covered by the RAR, which helps satisfy the intent of B78.