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Planting the seeds for a sustainable future - City of Kamloops

Planting the seeds for a sustainable future - City of Kamloops

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There is increasing pressure/competition on <strong>the</strong> provinces water and land resources. BC is currently updating <strong>the</strong> Water Act.For <strong>Kamloops</strong> farmers to invest and prosper <strong>the</strong>y need a secure land base (relatively free from speculation), with appropriateurban and rural interface buffering, and an economical and <strong>sustainable</strong> source <strong>of</strong> water.13. Loss <strong>of</strong> Larger Ranch Properties with Multiple TitlesIt is not uncommon <strong>for</strong> many larger ranches to hold numerous land titles. When <strong>the</strong>se ranches are sold, it is difficult to find abuyer that can af<strong>for</strong>d all <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> titles and <strong>the</strong>reby retain <strong>the</strong> integrity <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> ranch. These properties become targets <strong>for</strong> nonagriculturalland developments and are <strong>of</strong>ten broken up into <strong>the</strong>ir individual titles. In many cases <strong>the</strong> outcome is a ranch where<strong>the</strong> cows are sold, <strong>the</strong> range tenures relinquished and <strong>the</strong> land broken up into a less viable size, hobby farms, resortdevelopments or rural residential estates. There are exceptions to this trend with <strong>the</strong> ongoing movement <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> dairy industryinto <strong>the</strong> Interior; however, <strong>the</strong> dairy industry is more interested in <strong>the</strong> higher capability irrigated lands in <strong>the</strong> valley bottomscompared to grasslands that are more commonly associated with area ranches.14. Growth <strong>of</strong> Mining IndustryThis is <strong>of</strong> concern to <strong>the</strong> ranching industry. The <strong>Kamloops</strong> Stockmen's Association has been involved with this issue.15. Maintaining Environmental SustainabilityHighPriorityThe success <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> agriculture industry relies on <strong>the</strong> stewardship <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> land and water resources <strong>the</strong>y use. These resources arealso important habitat <strong>for</strong> wildlife and fisheries. There are a number <strong>of</strong> issues and initiatives currently being addressed by <strong>the</strong>industry such as:Noxious weeds (private, Crown, and <strong>City</strong>) - continued support <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>City</strong>'s weed control initiatives is needed;Encouraging <strong>the</strong> use <strong>of</strong> best management practices in agriculture including <strong>the</strong> protection <strong>of</strong> pollinators;Environmental farm plans - encourage voluntary participation;Grasslands protection (critically important to wildlife and <strong>the</strong> ranching sector);Ducks Unlimited initiatives (e.g. wetlands);Riverbank erosion;Range issues related to recreational use;All terrain vehicle (ATV) use by public;Vandalism;CITY OF KAMLOOPS 55

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