Similkameen Valley Watershed Plan

The Lower Similkameen Indian Band Council, as a represented title holder and Territorial Government and as members of the original peoples that inhabited the land, is interested in working with the Regional District in order to ensure that a Similkameen Valley Watershed Plan is developed in a way that reflects the interests and meets the needs of all the Valley residents.

The LSJB has previously shared with the SVPS and the RDOS two proposals designed to ensure that the rights, interests and knowledge of the LSIB are recognized and incorporated into the Watershed Plan. The LSIB is a member of the SVPS and in October 2012 presented to the SVPS board a proposal to collaborate with the SVPS on the Similkameen Watershed Plan. This proposal outlined the development of a scoping document to: 1.1 Identify areas of common purpose between the LSIB and the SVPS; 1.2 Identify data, reports, research and knowledge needed to supplement the Sustainable Similkarneen Valley Report and that are essential to build collaborative strategies moving forward; 1.3 Identify collaborative partners. The proposal also detailed the work required in order for LSIB to thoroughly review the Similkameen Watershed Plan Terms of Reference: Draft 7 — Final. In response to Terms of Reference Section 11.3 Objective 3: “Research and determine a process and protocols fbr the involvement of the Upper Similkameen Indian Band, the Lower Similkameen Indian Band and the Okanagan Nation Alliance in the SWP”, LSIB proposed to develop the document needed to define the process and protocol. Overall, the proposal was designed to ensure that LSIB participation was included and would continue to be included in watershed planning in a meaningful way.

The SVPS board was very enthusiastic about advancing the work necessary for a collaborative relationship, however before the proposal could be funded, the RDOS in November 2012 released the Request for Proposals (RFP) for the Similkameen Valley Watershed Plan Phase 1 and effectively precluded LSIB’s initial proposal. Even while the RFP was based on Terms of Reference that did not reflect meaningful LSIB input, the LSIB submitted a proposal to the RDOS that again emphasised the development of a productive relationship between LSIB and the RDOS and the sharing of unique cultural and ecological data that LSIB continues to generate. We understand that the scope of our most recent proposal was beyond the scope that was contemplated in Phase 1 of the Watershed Plan, however there is important work related to building an effective relationship that needs to be started early in this stage in order to be successful. The LSIB has been working and will continue to work on watershed planning for our waters, we hope that we can work together to develop a comprehensive approach to a Similkameen Valley Watershed Plan. LSIB maintains that without effective participation of the LSIB in the watershed plan, the Watershed Plan will be an incomplete document. At the SVPS we have made clear our intention to represent our interests and protect our rights to water and our belief that an effective approach would be to work collaboratively through the watershed planning process. We have spoken to Summit Environmental Consultants (successful bidder) about their acknowledged gaps in planning for LSIB engagement in Phase 1 as was required in the RFP. Work must be initiated to develop and implement a process for an effective relationship between LSIB and both the RDOS and the technical consultants and to employ our own consultants when needed in order for the Watershed Plan to meet the goals and objectives oftheTerms of Reference, both in the shortand longterm. Initiatingthis process in Phase 1 will ensure smoother transition to future phases as well as enable sharing information about data the LSIB has relevant to watershed planning. We are willing to present to the RDOS board a proposal to augment the work by Summit through Phase 1; a proposal to develop a process for ensuring on going collaboration, to share information and to work collaboratively to complete a Similkameen Valley Watershed Plan that represents and recognizes LSIB as a Title Holder and Territorial Government in the Similkameen Valley. In the absence of meaningful engagement with LSIB and the exclusion of LSII3 information, the Watershed Plan may provide inadequate guidance to the residents of the valley and LSIB will pursue measures to ensure our rights and interests are re

Chief Robert Edward LSIB

Members of the Lower Similkameen will present to the RDOS board on Thursday