According to Minister of Environment Murray Coell, the new Act will support climate change adaptation and economic security and help ensure that water sustainability is considered in all decisions affecting water. It will help lighten BC’s water footprint and transition to a new way of managing water.
“Getting our water rules and management right has the potential to make everyone involved look good,” emphasizes Oliver Brandes. “Water is our most important asset and investing in this ‘natural capital market’ will ensure benefits for all of us now and into the future.”
More than nine in ten respondents support new measures ranging from stricter rules for managing industrial and municipal water use; to water rights based on the needs of communities rather than first rights of access. “These poll results confirm public support for the protection of freshwater resources,” stated Tony Maas.
“Collaborative watershed governance, simply put, is working together to reach shared outcomes and resolving differences among community, private sector and governmental interests, while maintaining or restoring the biophysical and ecosystem resilience of a watershed,” writes Brian Wilkes.
“So, what we mean by shared responsibility is that everyone has a role, and everyone can act…. all levels of government, developers, regulators, bureaucrats, consultants, planners, engineers…. we all have a role,” stated Ray Fung.
According to Lynn Kriwoken, the Ministry of Environment received approximately 900 written submissions from a range of individuals, First Nation organizations and stakeholder groups. In addition, over 500 participants attended the Water Act Modernization workshops.
“Without action, we cannot move our communities forward. This year's Convention will offer an opportunity to take our goals, and forge them into tangible outcomes and continue to build gold medal standard communities,” stated Harry Nyce.
“The role of the Technical Advisors at these collaborative workshops is to apply their expertise and perspective to the potential policy options for a modernized Water Act. Participation is as a technical expert, not as a representative of any particular constituency,” states Lynn Kriwoken.
“The Discussion Paper appears to miss the opportunity for an integrated watershed management approach. CAVI’s experience suggests that integration of land use and water management at the regional or local level is germane to successfully reforming the Water Act,” wrote John Finnie,
“An adaptive, integrated watershed-based approach to water management that recognizes groundwater and surface water as the same resource requiring protection, regardless of use, is required,” states Mike Donnelly.
