Greater Vancouver Regional District 4330 Kingsway, Burnaby, British Columbia. Canada V5H 4G8 Finance Deparunent

Accounung: 432-6273 Secretary Treasurer's Office: 432-6250 Treasury: 432-6252

Board of Directors

Executive Committee

Fraser River Estuary Management Program June 21, 1989

REPORT:

The Fraser River Estuary Management Program (FREMP) is a Federal-Provincial initiative whose goal is to accommodate the growing population and economy of the Lower Mainland while maintaining the quality and productivity of the

Fraser River Estuary’s natural environment. The intent is to use a cooperative style of resource management for making decisions on an estuary-wide basis, with all government agencies and interested parties participating in the decision-making process. The program is being carried out under a 5-year Federal~Provincial agreement scheduled for renewal in December, 1990.

The attached interoffice memo outlines details of the various committee and activity programs being carried out under FREMP. As indicated, the District’s staff has had considerable input into the process, most notably through the Management Committee, the Waste Management, Recreation, and Emergency Management Activity Programs and the Water Quality Standing Committee.

FREMP can play a vital role in coordinating the interests of all parties in Maintaining and improving the Fraser River Estuary, which is a natural and economic resource of enormous value to Canada, B.C. and the Region. The District has a great interest and stake in the future of FREMP and should Strongly endorse its continuance and Strengthening. FREMP could well be the mechanism through which future planning and funding for the estuary will flow from the Senior Governments, particularly in the areas of Waste Management, Water Quality and Recreation.

The District’s chief concern with FREMP has been the lack of adequate funding and resources to create and maintain an effective long-term plan. It is Strongly recommended that the Federal and Provincial authorities be requested to address that deficiency in renewing the current agreement in 1990.