Weather across B.C. during January-February has been dominated by the effects of a moderate to strong El Niño, producing warm and dry conditions. As a result, there has been a decrease in snowpacks across the province.
Established in 1909, B.C.’s Water Act is the primary piece of water management legislation. “A key commitment in the plan is to consider amendments to the Water Act to improve the protection of ecological values, provide for more community involvement and provide incentives to be water efficient,” stated John Slater.
“LIving Water Smart is the provincial government’s plan to keep our water healthy and secure for the future. A key commitment in the plan is to consider amendments to the Water Act to improve the protection of ecological values, provide for more community involvement and provide incentives to be water efficient,” states John Slater.
“The paper presents an independent, academic analysis of select water governance issues, focusing on ‘delegated’ water governance. This is also known as ‘devolved’ or ‘shared’ or ‘distributed’ governance,” states Linda Nowlan.
Kevin Lorette – CVRD (120p)
From the water efficiency perspective, the challenge is to balance the need to save money while providing capacity for continued population growth; while also balancing technical and governance issues.
Environment Minister Barry Penner
Due to low winter snowpacks and drought conditions this summer, water flows in this area are extremely low and the risk to the kokanee is particularly high. The order to curtail water use was issued under the authority of Section 9 of the Fish Protection Act. Most water licensees within the watershed are supportive of this approach.
“The path forward is clear. Provincial goals and strong regulatory standards in the areas of watershed and public health, as well as local expertise and involvement in decision-making, will all contribute to better governance,” states Deborah Curran.
The technical program for the 2009 BC Ground Water Association Convention included a session on water sustainability so that the groundwater community would be informed about provincial initiatives underway in BC, and the implications for groundwater.
In early March 2009, the British Columbia Ground Water Association will be holding its 39th Annual Trade Show & Convention in Penticton.
State of BCs Water – Rowena Rae (120p)
The State of Environment Reporting Unit at BC Ministry of Environment is leading the development of a report on the State of BC's Water for publication in 2010. The report will fulfil the commitment in Living Water Smart: BC’s Water Plan to publish a report on the state of our water by 2012.
