OMBUDSPERSON INVESTIGATES ADMINISTRATION OF AN ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION PROGRAM VICTORIA – B.C. Ombudsperson Kim Carter announced today that she has launched a systemic investigation into the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations administration of the Riparian Areas Regulation in British Columbia. The Regulation is part of the province’s environmental protection measures and is intended to preserve fish habitat by protecting the areas next to streams and other water courses from potentially harmful residential, commercial and industrial development. As part of the investigation process, the Ombudsperson is providing an opportunity for members of the public affected by the Regulation to provide input through a confidential on-line questionnaire at bcombudsperson.ca. “Seventeen and a half per cent of B.C.’s land – its most populated areas - is covered by this Regulation. We have received a number of complaints from people affected by the process”, says Carter. “If there are problems with the fair and reasonable administration of this process, our investigation may shed light on these gaps and any recommendations will be aimed at improving the administration of the Riparian Areas Regulation.” For more information: News Release and the Public Input Form
Posted on: Thu, 20 Jun 2013 22:30:56 +0000