A new volunteer group is expected to assume stewardship of a critical natural asset in the Beaver Valley.
The Regional District of Kootenay Boundary has endorsed the idea of a security and protection board for Kelly Creek, which is the main source of water for Fruitvale as well as about 300 homes in the surrounding rural area.
“It’s no surprise that climate change, drought, wildfires, and increasing land use pressures threaten water capacity and water quality,” said Beaver Valley regional director Ali Grieve.
“Through different conferences that we are privileged to attend, I’ve gathered quite a bit of information on why a community would want to create a watershed protection board.”
Grieve said such a board would allow them to be proactive in protecting the watershed. She said it could have representation from local residents, water license holders, First Nations, environmental stewards, and regional and provincial agencies.
She said they hope to access a provincial watershed security fund established a couple of years ago to help them get up and running.
“Once established, the Kelly Creek watershed protection group would be a model for other watersheds across the regional district,” Grieve said.
“It’s a forward thinking step to make sure the region’s most important natural asset stays healthy and secure for generations to come.”
Grieve said there is a model in the Boundary to follow: the Kettle River has a watershed management plan supported by an advisory group.
She added other examples exist in the provinces as well, “so it’s a matter of catching up and being proactive to protect what we already have, which is clean, safe, affordable water.”
Grieve expects experts will be brought in to explain how such a group can be set up before a pubic engagement process begins to draw in residents, specialists, and interest groups from the community. She said the board would probably meet about four times per year.
A resolution adopted by the RDKB board late last month directed staff to look at hiring someone to outline the potential structure, scope, operating guidelines, and mandate of such a protection board, which might eventually be expanded to cover the Beaver Creek watershed as well.
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