Legislated Mapping and Management Plans in Community Watersheds

Whereas communities across British Columbia relying on surface water systems as their only source of drinking water are facing historic droughts and becoming increasingly aware of the need to maintain the integrity and hydrological production capacity of their community watersheds while they continue to be adversely impacted by other tenure holders or developers; And whereas community expectations are often not aligned with requirements for tenure holders and developers to prepare and provide comprehensive watershed mapping and management plans in collaboration with such water user communities and licencees: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM request the Province of British Columbia to enact legislation prescribing tenure holders and developers to prepare detailed watershed mapping including LiDAR Light Detection and Ranging imagery and comprehensive community watershed management plans in collaboration with water user communities and licencees prior to any development or incursion into consumptive use watersheds to avoid the risk of adversely impacting the hydrological production capacity of these watersheds.