B.C. municipalities are pushing the federal and provincial governments for better flood-control infrastructure that doesnsa国际传媒檛 damage fish habitat or restrict access to recreational sites.
In a Feb. 19 vote, the Union of British Columbia Municipalities executive endorsed resolution NR16, Flood Risk Mitigation Through Green Infrastructure and Natural Assets, which calls for the restoration and protection of salmon habitat compromised by outdated flood control systems.
The resolution notes the side channels, tributaries and sloughs of B.C.sa国际传媒檚 large rivers hold deep value to First Nations, in addition to providing exceptional recreational fishing, boating and swimming sites that may no longer be safe or accessible.
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Submitted by the Lower Mainland Local Government Association, the resolution specifically asks the two higher levels of government to fund and incorporate nature-based solutions for effective flood management while still maintaining the recreational, cultural and ecological benefits of these sites.
The non-profit Watershed Watch Salmon Society campaigned heavily in favour of the resolution.
They released a statement calling the resolutionsa国际传媒檚 potential impact a win-win-win for B.C. salmon, local jobs and flood mitigation.
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sa国际传媒淭his decision helps hold the province accountable on this issue,sa国际传媒� the statement reads. sa国际传媒淟ast summer, the Select Standing Committee on Finance recommended fish considerations when upgrading for floods as part of the provincesa国际传媒檚 2021 budget. This UBCM vote demonstrates the growing concern of British Columbians for struggling wild Pacific salmon and underlines the Provincesa国际传媒檚 responsibility to invest in flood solutions that consider fish and their habitats.sa国际传媒�
The resolution will now be sent to the governmentssa国际传媒� for their response.
Resolution NR16 builds on a resolution passed in 2018, Resolution B119 sa国际传媒� Upgrade Flood Infrastructure to Consider Fish and Access to Fish Habitat.
The UBCM executive cast their votes Feb. 19 in a special session to address remaining resolutions from the September AGM, held virtually due to the pandemic.
