Members of the Bilateral Management Committee responsible for administering the transboundary water management agreement between the Government of British Columbia and the Government of the Northwest Territories met on April 24 and 25 in Fort Nelson, B.C.
Meeting participants, representing provincial, territorial and Indigenous governments from both B.C. and the Northwest Territories, were warmly welcomed by the Fort Nelson First Nation to their traditional territory and held productive discussions to build positive relationships and advance work under the important BC-NWT Bilateral Water Management Agreement.
The Agreement, signed in 2015, commits B.C. and the Northwest Territories to maintain the ecological integrity of the aquatic ecosystem of the Liard River Basin through:
- ongoing monitoring of water quality and quantity
- study of groundwater
- learning and monitoring of aquatic organisms
- ongoing sharing of Indigenous knowledge and interests
- information about activities and developments in the Liard and Petitot River Basins
Discussions in the meetings confirmed priorities moving forward include continuing ongoing monitoring, developing a learning plan for the Liard River and Petitot River Basins, engaging communities on their interests and concerns, and exploring Indigenous narratives that demonstrate the values and stories related to water.
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