“Water Sustainability Act working in tandem with the Environmental Management Act would be a powerful combination,” says Derek Richmond
Acknowledgement: A Water Sustainability Act for BC Legislative Proposal Overview, Ministry of Environment, October 2013
Feedback on the Legislative Proposal for a “Water Sustainability Act for BC”
In October 2013, the BC Ministry of Environment invited British Columbians to comment on the Legislative Proposal for a brand new Water Sustainability Act. To download a summary of what is being proposed, click on A Water Sustainability Act for BC: Legislative Proposal Overview.
The Partnership for Water Sustainability in British Columbia was one of many organizations that responded to the invitation. The Partnership’s submission was succinct and totalled two pages.
Watershed Health – A Priority for Local Governments
“The proposed Water Sustainability Act recognizes the connection between land use actions and the implications (consequences) for both the water cycle and watershed sustainability in the local government setting. This is important because restoration and protection of watershed health is a priority for local governments in BC, especially in the Lower Mainland and along the east coast of Vancouver Island,” reports Derek RIchmond, a Partnership Director and the Chair of the CAVI-Convening for Action on Vancouver Island initiative.
“In our submission, we suggested that the Water Sustainability Act working in tandem with the Environmental Management Act would be a powerful regulatory combination. Liquid Waste Management Plans fall under the umbrella of the Environmental Management Act; and the rainwater component of a Liquid Waste Management Plan is very much about watershed health.”
“When the two Acts are coupled with Sustainable Service Delivery, we believe the latter would become the ultimate integrator because it would bring the financial accountability lens into focus.”
“Sustainable Service Delivery revolves around asset management. Hence, it is an effective way to engage local governments about how to view watershed health through the asset management lens; and how to provide a higher level-of-service at a reduced level-of-cost over time,” concludes Derek Richmond.
View Watersheds through a “Sustainable Service Delivery” Lens
In October 2013, Asset Management BC and the Local Government Management Association of BC co-hosted a workshop in Richmond. At the workshop, Glen Brown announced that the Province has formalized its policy for Sustainable Service Delivery. Going forward, opportunities for local governments to apply for provincial grants will be linked to viewing watersheds through a “Sustainable Service Delivery” lens.
To Learn More:
To download a copy of the submission by the Partnership for Water Sustainability in BC, click on Feedback on the Legislative Proposal for a “Water Sustainability Act for BC”.
Also, click on Provincial Funding in British Columbia Linked to Viewing Watersheds through a “Sustainable Service Delivery” Lens to read a story posted on the Green Infrastructure community-of-interest that connects the dots between asset management and watershed health.
