“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.
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.
