WHEREAS UBCM resolved in 2002 that a new Riparian Areas Regulation: -Provide liability protection for local government when making land use decisions based on a report by a qualified Environment Professional on fish habitat; -Ensure that no new responsibilities are downloaded on local government and that all training costs and management costs required to implement the new regulation are paid for by either the federal or provincial government; -Ensure the process is timely and cost effective, from the community perspective; -Ensure an integrated approach is implemented to avoid conflicts between the different levels of government; -Ensure that a balance is maintained between development and protection of the environment; AND WHEREAS the Province has been proceeding with development of the Riparian Areas Regulation without open consultation with local governments: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that UBCM not sign onto the tripartite agreement for implementing a Riparian Areas Regulation RAR unless the following measures have been met: -A comprehensive legal and logistical review of Regulation by an objective party to determine implications of the Regulation to local governments; -Full liability protection for local governments; -Assurance of open involvement of local governments in development of the guidebook and strategies for compliance, enforcement and implementation; AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the RAR be extended to apply to institutional land uses, including federal and provincial Crown lands.
