Legislative Office: East Annex, Parliament Buildings Victoria, BC V8V 1X4 F / L’’) Phone: 250 952-7269 CREEK Fax: 250 952-7263 / Province of Constituency Office: 103B - 1100 Alaska Avenue , BC Vi G 4V8 LegislativeAssembly Phone: 250 782-3430 rd Y.’Mike Bernier, MLA Fax: 250 782-6454 \,L No ()

April 22, 2014

Karen Goodings, Chair Peace River Regional District P0 Box 810 Dawson Creek, BC V1G4H8

Dear Chair Goodings:

Re: Independent Land Information and Advocacy Office (Farmers’ Advocacy Office)

Thank you for providing me with a copy of your letter to Minister dated April 2,

2014 regarding the above referenced subject matter. I would like to thank the Peace River Regional District for the commitment to continue funding for the Dawson Creek Farmers’ Advocacy Office to 2018.

I have heard from several constituents that have utilized the services of the Farmers’ Advocacy Office in Dawson Creek for assistance with the negotiation of surface leases and rights of way associated with the oil and gas industry. This service is very beneficial to the citizens of the South Peace region and will only become more valuable as the oil and gas activity increases in our area.

I strongly support the Peace River Regional District in its endeavour to extend the contract with the British Columbia Ministries of Natural Gas Development and Agriculture for these services.

Mike Bernier, MLA Peace River South

c. Honourable Rich Coleman, Minister of Natural Gas Development Honourable , Minister of Agriculture PEACE RIVER REGIONAL DISTRICT

Office of the Chair

April 2, 2014

The Honourable Rich Coleman Minister of Natural Gas Development P0 Box 9052 Stn Prov Govt Victoria, BC V8W 9E2 Via Email: MNGH.minister(qov.bc.ca

Dear Minister Coleman:

Re: Independent Land Information and Advocacy Office (Farmers’ Advocate Office)

The Peace River Regional District is committed to seeing the continued operations of the Independent Land Information and Advocacy Office (Farmers’ Advocate Office) as a service in the BC Peace region. The Farmers’ Advocate Office is the result of a partnership between the Ministry of Natural Gas Development and the Ministry of Agriculture and has been in operation since September 2010. The focus of the Farmers’ Advocate Office is on the interface between successful agricultural production, peace and enjoyments of the lands and responsible development of the petroleum and natural gas industry. The service provides information on core provincial services and actions to provide a level playing field to landowners leading to informed, timely, respectful and balanced negotiation agreements between landowners and industry.

The Minister and the Regional District have supported this service in the past by sharing 50/50 the annual $200,000 cost to deliver the service. The Peace River Regional District requests that the Minister commit to partnership funding through to July 31, 2018. We are seeking: - Fiscal year 2014-2015 -$100,000 - Fiscal year 2015-2016 -$100,000 - Fiscal year 2016-2017 -$100,000 - Fiscal year 2017-2018 - $50,000

The Regional District will continue our matching funding commitment through the 2018 budget year in order to provide some certainty, stability and cost effectiveness to this very important citizen service.

The Farmers’ Advocate Office service is unique to the BC Peace region because of the vast underground natural gas reserves and the extensive agricultural activities located across the region. Forty percent of the Province’s Agricultural Reserve Lands are located in the Peace River Regional District and that same land covers a good portion of BC’s natural gas resource. Interaction between the two industries cannot be avoided, but we can assist both industries in understanding the competing authorities and promote the advantages to working proactively together to provide net benefit to British Columbia. .12 The Honourable Rich Coleman April 2, 2014 Page 2 of 2

The Farmers’ Advocacy Office is a partnership initiative that needs to be continued in order to support our continents. Please seriously consider the Regional District’s offer to continue to be a partner and supporter in continuing this valuable service.

Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter as we will need to make a continued service delivery decision in the coming weeks.

Yours truly,

Karen Goodings, Chair Peace River Regional District cc: The Honourable , Minister of Agriculture and MLA-Peace River North Mr. Mike Bernier MLA-Peace River South

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