Whereas British Columbias Private Managed Forest Land PMFL Program is intended to balance long-term forest production with the protection of water quality, fish habitat, streamside vegetation, and critical habitat; however, experience in the Cowichan Valley indicates that these environmental protections are not being realized in practice, accountability and transparency are limited, and jurisdictional gaps impede timely enforcement and remediation, undermining public confidence in the program; And whereas local governments have documented activities on PMFL parcelsincluding stream and wetland alterations, culvert and pipe installations, deposit of gravelfill, extensive land clearing of sensitive ecosystems, and delays in reforestationwhile provincial enforcement has been limited, investigation records have not been shared, and the Managed Forest Council MFC has interpreted a wide range of activities as Schedule A forest management activities that are exempt from local regulation, effectively restricting local governments from addressing impacts to water and habitat: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM urge the Province of British Columbia to implement legislative, regulatory, and administrative reforms to the Private Managed Forest Lands Program that: 1. Strengthen protection of water, fish habitat, and streamside vegetation, including clearer standards and timely reforestation requirements; 2. Clarify jurisdiction and improve coordination among provincial agencies and the MFC for compliance, enforcement, and restoration under the Water Sustainability Act and related statutes; and 3. Enhance accountability and transparency, including requirements for the MFC and relevant ministries to share inspection reports and compliance outcomes with affected local governments and the public, subject to FOIPPA; And be it further resolved that UBCM request the Province to close regulatory loopholes that allow non-forestry land uses to proceed under the guise of Schedule A forest management activities, to require the MFC to promptly report suspected Water Sustainability Act contraventions to the appropriate ministry, and to enable appropriate local government input where PMFL activities materially affect community water security, habitat, and infrastructure.
