Details

WHEREAS hydroelectric dams affect water systems that are a vital resource to communities;

AND WHEREAS many hydroelectric dams lack water use plans, or have water use plans that do not give communities input into decisions that affect local water systems, such as water flows;

AND WHEREAS communities have a strong desire to be included in decisions that affect local water resources:

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Province of British Columbia require all hydroelectric dams in British Columbia to have water use plans which recognize values that give communities input into decisions that affect local governments.

Responses

The UBCM membership has not previously considered a resolution requesting that the provincial government require all hydroelectric dams in BC to incorporate community input into the water use plans they develop.

However, members have consistently endorsed resolutions seeking opportunities for local government to provide input on activities occurring in community watersheds (2014-B88, 2013-A1, 2003-B95, 2001-B93, 1998-B65). The UBCM membership also endorsed resolution 2007-B147, which requested that the Province commit to reviewing and adopting BC Hydro water use plans “in a timely manner.”