So, What Does Water-Centric Planning Mean?
Water-centric means that we will plan with a view to water – whether we are planning for a single site or the entire Province. Water-centric planning considers the amount of water available, the amount of water needed, innovative efficiency strategies, the quality of water leaving the area, how rain and snow water are managed, and the impact on the natural environment.
Impact of Climate Change at a Provincial Scale
If warming trends continue, over the next 100 years we could get up to 20% more rain, an 88-centimetre jump in sea levels, rivers drying up, a big dent in salmon migration and a spreading of the mountain pine beetle. British Columbia's average temperature could also increase by 4-degrees Celsius. Northern BC's temperature has climbed 1.7-degrees Celsius over the past 100 years, three times the global average.
Implementation of Species at Risk Act (SARA) in British Columbia
A central location to find all pertinent information regarding protection and recovery of local species at risk will be found on the newly formed South Coast Conservation Program website: http://www.sccp.ca/
Groundwater Assessment in the Okanagan Basin (GAOB):
The Groundwater Assessment in the Okanagan Basin (GAOB) project is a major partnership initiative to assess and characterize groundwater resources in the Okanagan. A Steering Committee for the project, which began in the fall of 2003, includes representatives from the Geological Survey of Canada, the Okanagan Basin Water Board and the Ministry of Environment.
Announcing Water Highway BC
Water Highway BC – banner
Representatives of several industry associations have formed Water Highway BC (WHBC) to preserve and promote BC's water information highway – the water quantity (hydrometric), snow survey, weather and groundwater data needed to ensure public safety, economic development and water resource sustainability.
Thank you
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