a.1 Freedom of information |
The public shall have fullfreedom of information regarding ail aspects of resource management.

The natural resources of British Columbia are owned by the residents of the province. There is
no justification for hiding of management information that wouid Iturninate how these resources
are being stewarded. a |

PITY
F eae
I q é N, SN

Public Participation

An independent citizen controlied advisory/ audit group shall be established in each Watershed
Authority region. Watershed Authority, Ministry of Natural Resources, and resource indusiry
employees shall sit on the advisory group as technical advisors only. . |

Resource management agencies have historically had a poor public participation record.
Legislation is required to allow open and fair representation of legitimate community concems.
Institutionalized advisory groups should be free of manipulation by those who have only a
financial stake in resource extraction industries. The responsibility of advisory groups will be fo
encourage viable economic activity within constraints of watershed areas to sustainably
support such enterprise.

Weld

2.3 lic Education’ ne : we |
The Minisiry of Natural Resources shall operate a full range of public education programs,
including speakers bureau, development of teaching modules for elementary end secondary
schools, publication of juried journals that highlight state of the art resource stewardship theary
and practice, and annual Industry appreciation festivals that credit the work.of maritorious
companies and individuals active in resource stewardship. . | ‘

Much of the current outcry against practices of resource industries is attributed to a lack of
public knowledge of how and why certain. extraction processes are carried out, Governments
must make a serious effort to educate the public in a sustained and comprehensive manner.

Research os
The Minisiry of Natural Resources shall fund a vigourous research program that addresses need
for both generic resources management information (catety, exiraction/conversion plant
efficiency, value added opportuniiles, etc.) and site specific data thar will enable ecciogically
sound stewardship practice to be evolved in Watershed Authority jurisdictions. Research
funding shall be allocated in a manner which atlows al! Watershed Authorities to equally benefit
from research related employment.

Continuous evolution of ecologically sound resource stewardship practice will only occur
adequately funded, long-term research is carried out in every region of the Province.