Details

WHEREAS communities situated on flood plains are overshadowed by the potential threat of flooding;

AND WHEREAS the significant rate of gravel aggregation in rivers adjacent to flood plains is well documented and removal thereof would reduce the flooding risk;

AND WHEREAS small local governments lack the financial resources to undertake gravel extraction;

AND WHEREAS there is no provincial or federal program in place for flood reduction or prevention;

AND WHEREAS royalties are required to be paid on all gravel extracted that is not for Public Works use:

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the NCLGA and UBCM lobby the Provincial Government to waive royalties for all gravel that is extracted by local governments and leaseholders from riverbeds adjacent to Flood Hazard areas.

Responses

The UBCM membership has not previously considered a resolution requesting that the provincial government waive gravel extraction royalties when local governments or leaseholders extract gravel from riverbeds adjacent to flood hazard areas.

Members have consistently endorsed resolutions in support of flood protection works, including the extraction of gravel deposits from riverbeds (2012-B3, 2006-B19, 2004-A11, 2004-B18, 2003-B21, 2002-B18, 2000-B24, 1996-B69). However, UBCM would also point out the need to secure authorization from the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans for gravel, sand, silt and other debris extractions in waterways. While UBCM appreciates the concerns raised by the sponsor regarding flooding, the solution proposed may not be viable based on the fact that gravel extraction is a multi-jurisdictional issue. The multi-jurisdictional nature of the issue may render a case-by-case approach impossible, if it is to adequately address the flood risk for all communities.