Ladysmith, Stz’uminus reach water agreement

Darrell Bellaart, Daily News, March 29, 2012

The town of Ladysmith stands to gain access to water in the dry season and the Stz’uminus First Nation can proceed with development thanks to an agreement reached between both parties.

Once signed, a memorandum of agreement now near comple-tion would give the Stz’uminus clearance to build a pipe across Crown land to connect Stocking and Holland Lakes. That will improve water supply in summer, when rationing sometimes happens.

For Stz’uminus it will mean the band can hook up to the Ladysmith water and sewer systems.

That would be more efficient and less expensive than building its own system, allowing Coast Salish Development Corp to develop on Indian Reserve No. 12.

The agreement comes as the city of Nanaimo, Snuneymuxw First Nation and Harmac are caught in a dispute over water access and sharing.

“What they need to consider is they don’t own that resource,” said Ray Gauthier, Coast Salish Development Corp. CEO.

Ladysmith council is pleased a “mutually beneficial” agreement is close, said Coun. Steve Arnett.