The draft source assessment response plan (SARP) was presented at two open houses on the Coast last weekend, allowing residents and officials to comment on the document before it becomes policy.
Presentations to the public were made in Gibsons and Sechelt on Feb. 4.
According to Sunshine Coast Reg-ional District (SCRD) staff, turnout for the Gibsons event was between 40 and 45 members of the public, while the Sechelt event was less attended at 19.
The SCRD was last ordered to develop a response to threats affecting the Chapman Creek and Coastal drinking water on Jan. 5, 2010.
Currently in draft form and available on-line for public dissemination, the plan prioritizes numerous threats to the watershed and possible ways of dealing with them over the short, medium and long terms.
It has been described as a strategic priority of the SCRD.
"I do believe the source assessment response plan is comprehensive," Sechelt Indian Government District director Jordan Louie said, describing the plan as an evolving document. "There are things that are unknown that will happen and I think can be incorporated into the source assessment response plan."
Louie, who attended the Sechelt open house, said the document is effective in mitigating the immediate risks posed to the watershed, but added that more can always be done to ensure the Coast's water remains protected.
He echoed his hope that continued co-operation between the Sechelt Nation and SCRD will serve to protect the vitality of the region's water.
Gibsons director Coun. Gerry Tretick visited the open house in his area to get a sense of the public's feeling on the draft plan.
One woman's comments stuck in his mind, he said.
"She said, 'this actually helps the fish habitat as well, was consideration given to that?'"
Tretick said his primary question at this point centres on the costs of responding to watershed threats, now that those threats and their responses have been outlined.
"The ministries have a huge influence on the impacts of their activities, and yet we're the ones, we being the local community governments, that are responsible for exercising the controls and identifying the risks," he said. "And probably ending up having to pay for them."
