2023 R03 – Watershed Security Strategy and Fund

Whereas achieving watershed security on eastern Vancouver Island is made even more complex by the historic land ownership context resulting from the 1884 Settlement Act which saw over 2 million acres of unceded land on south eastern Vancouver Island granted by the crown to private owners;

And whereas the legacy of this historic land grant means that rapidly growing communities on eastern Vancouver Island are responsible for providing safe, sustainable drinking water for our communities from privately owned lands, where active forestry is taking place, and over which we have no authority:

Therefore be it resolved that AVICC request that the Province of BC and the Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Management acknowledge this unique context and fund the critical work required to achieve watershed security on eastern Vancouver Island.