EB26 Protection of Waterways from Aquatic Invasive Species
Whereas Canada is home to 20 percent of the world’s fresh water, and the spread of aquatic invasive species (AIS) poses irreparable environmental, social and economic threats that will cost Canadian taxpayers billions of dollars in lost tourism and economic opportunities, and other unknown costs;
And whereas the spread of AIS is largely connected to human activity, including the unsafe transport of watercraft and floatplanes between bodies of water;
And whereas current government efforts through fines for failing to stop at a BC watercraft inspection station, there is a lack of specific provincial or federal regulation and enforcement that is directed at watercraft owners who fail to prevent the spread of AIS by cleaning, draining, and drying their watercraft before transport;
Therefore be it resolved that the provincial and federal governments adopt increased and stricter enforcement measures for watercraft and floatplane owners including the introduction of a significant fine for watercraft and floatplane owners that fail to clean, drain and dry their watercraft or floatplane before transporting it to another body of water and an increase in the fine issued to motorists who fail to stop and a watercraft inspection station.
Endorsed by the Southern Interior Local Government Association and Union of BC Municipalities.
Provincial Response
Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy Watercraft Government continues to deliver the Invasive Mussel Defence Program and work with partners. Ongoing feedback and recommendations are taken into consideration as part of the programs annual review process. The Ministry recognizes that pull the plug legislation, making it mandatory for boaters to clean, drain, and dry their watercraft, has been successfully implemented in other jurisdictions and this is something under active consideration. The fine for motorists who fail to stop at a watercraft inspection station in BC is 345 and the Ministry is not currently looking to increase this fine amount. Higher fines are unlikely to result in increased compliance as repeat offenders are not common. Floatplanes The potential risk that floatplanes may pose as pathway for the transport of aquatic invasive species is largely unknown. The US Fish and Wildlife Service and the US Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force are undertaking a project to assess the risk of spreading aquatic invasive species via the seaplane pathway and develop measures to mitigate this risk. The results from this work will help inform future actions in BC.
EB27 Invasive Asian Clams
Whereas invasive Asian clams (Corbicula fluminea) are known to threaten the natural biodiversity of lakes by competing with native species for sustenance and space, cause biofouling to water treatments systems, alter water chemistry, and potentially reduce the quality of drinking water;
And whereas the spread of Asian clams will have significant environmental, social, and economic consequences for our waterways, wildlife and communities;
And whereas the Controlled Alien Species Regulation exists under the Wildlife Act to enforce controls for species that pose a risk to people, property, wildlife, and wildlife habitat:
Therefore be it resolved that UBCM ask the Province of British Columbia to designate invasive Asian clams (Corbicula fluminea) as a Prohibited Aquatic Invasive Species under the Controlled Alien Species Regulation under the Wildlife Act.
Endorsed by the Southern Interior Local Government Association and Union of BC Municipalities.
Provincial Response
Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy Ministry staff are working to update the 2015 provincial risk assessment for Asian clams to incorporate recent changes to their distribution in BC. This work will help inform whether Asian clams may be considered for future listing under the Controlled Alien Species Regulation CAS of the Wildlife Act. Based on research and experiences from other jurisdictions, the impacts of Asian clams on water systems and infrastructure are highly variable and site specific, and they currently do not meet the criteria set by the province to be listed as species for Early Detection Rapid Response. The Ministry is planning additional survey and outreach work in Shuswap Lake and surrounding waterbodies to assess the extent of Corbicula following the detection in 2019. This population is a significant distance from their previously known distribution in BC and indicates a new local introduction. The work is being done in partnership with local Indigenous communities. This includes continuing to promote existing outreach and education programs such as Clean, Drain, Dry and Don't Let It Loose to help prevent the spread of Asian clams.
NR42 Protection for Established Snowmobile Recreation Sites or Trails
Whereas many local governments and communities rely on the $299 million dollars the snowmobile industry provides to rural communities in British Columbia for economic stability and development;
And whereas, communities and snowmobile clubs care about maintaining existing meaningful Recreation Sites and Trails Partnership Agreements with the Province for respectful stewardship of the lands, and in particular BC Snowmobile Federation member Snowmobile Clubs are the largest partner of established Recreation Sites and Trails in BC;
And whereas, site level objectives under Section 56 of Forest Range Practices Act (FRPA) have not been established for snowmobile trails in B.C., resulting in a lack of communication or need to include consideration in Forest Stewardship Plans (FSP);
And whereas, only a BC government authorized designated decision maker can set Individual Recreation Objectives for an established recreation trail (site);
Therefore, be it resolved that UBCM ask the B.C. government to allocate the necessary resources to establish the following site level objectives on all new and existing established snowmobile sites under Section 56 of FRPA.
Endorsed by the Union of BC Municipalities.
Provincial Response
Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy Setting objectives for individual sites and trails in accordance with Section 56 of the Forest and Range Practices Act is a statutory decision that must consider the unique circumstances of each site or trail. While, snowmobile trails offer valuable recreation and access opportunities, many are also designated resource roads. Effective management must balance both uses. Recreation Sites and Trails branch will continue to work with the BC Snowmobile Federation to evaluate opportunities for recreation objectives on snowmobile trails on a case-by-case basis. As updates to the Forest and Range Practices Act resulting from the passing of Bill 23-2021 are implemented, Recreation Sites and Trails will be working with Ministry of Forests staff to identify opportunities to incorporate recreation values into forest landscape planning including management of access opportunities for snowmobiling.