The WKABC requested, early in our discussions with Land and Water BC (request here) to be included as in the list of agencies reffered information about potential projects. This was sent to each of the LWBC offices across the province.

Land and Water BC refused our request for earlier notice and our request to be included in the referral list for projects, in their two page letter (page 1 here and page 2 here).

Since that time LWBC has not provided us with any information, or interacted with the association, despite the fact that we are most directly impacted user group involved in many of the proposed projects on rivers (be they power projects, woody debris installations, bridge etc).

The association also requested that the Navigable Waters Protection Division (NWPD), now of Transport Canada, include the association on the list of referral agencies, for projects which stand to impact paddlers - they agreed to do so (letter here).

The association is referred projects by the NWPD. While this allows paddlers to provide their input, this comes near the end of the approval process, and by the time the WKABC responds LWBC has often already given their approval to projects, with little rewgard for paddlers who may use the stream.

The association responds to project referals from the NWPD, addressing the use of the area, and the potential problems we see with the project, as well as offering suggestions on possible mitigation. This is an ongoing effort.

Example of these referral responses are here:

Box Canyon Creek Response

Lower Furry Creek Response

Lower Seymour River Bank Enhancement Response