Water Act ModernizationWorkshopKamloops, March 11, 2010

Rules of Engagement

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• Participate• Be positive and open• Challenge ideas, not people• Stay focused and in process• One conversation at a time• Listen generously• Encourage new ideas; build on the

ideas of others• Observe time limits; stick to the agenda• Ensure that everyone is heard• See each situation from a perspective

other than your own

Purpose of the Session

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• Understand the opportunity

• Consider values and principles

• Explore and discuss solution-oriented options

Workshops Prince George - March 8Kamloops – March 11Kelowna – March 12Abbotsford – March 29 Smithers – April 13Nelson – April 16Fort St. John – April 20Vancouver – April 213 First Nations Sessions

Session Overview

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1. Introduction to Water Act modernization

2. Conversation on water values

3. Break-out sessions on WAM possible

solutions

4. Report back from break-out sessions

5. Next steps

Glen Davidson, P.Eng.

DirectorWater Stewardship Division Ministry of Environment

Living Water Smart and WAM

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• An essential part of implementing Living Water Smart

• 1/3 of Living Water Smart commitments can be supported by WAM

• Drivers of population growth, climate changes, and new ways of doing business

We are listening

• Fish stocks and fish habitat• Using new technologies and improving

access to information systems• Threats from climate change on biodiversity• Integrating groundwater with surface water• Greater participation in water governance

WAM process(page 2)

Spring 2011

Fall 2010

Discussion paper

Principles

Goals

Objectives

Possible Solutions

WAM principles: a foundation for the future.

• WAM is an opportunity to ensure the principles underlying the Water Act respond to modern expectations

• Pg 5 of the discussion paper proposes eight principles for your feedback

Four goals shape WAM’s scope

1. Protect stream health

2. Improve water governance

3. Improve flexibility and efficiency

4. Regulate groundwater

Equipping future generations

• New challenges for future generations

• Streamline and integrate, use technology

• Partnerships and collaboration is key

Conversation on the value of water to British Columbians

Principles1. BC’s water resources are used within sustainable limits.2. First Nations social and cultural practices associated with water are

respected and accommodated.3. Science informs water resource management and decision making. 4. Water resource legislation, policy and decision making processes as well

as management tools are integrated across all levels of government.5. Rules and standards for water management are clearly defined, providing

a predictable investment climate across the province. 6. Flexibility is provided to adapt to extreme conditions or unexpected

events on a provincial, regional or issue-specific level.7. Incentives are created for water conservation that consider the needs of

users and investors. 8. Rights to use water come with responsibilities to be efficient and help

protect stream health.

Donna CaddieWater Stewardship Division Ministry of Environment

GOAL 1Protect stream health and aquatic environments

Objectives for protecting stream health and aquatic environments1. Environmental flow needs are

considered

2. Water allocation plans guide decisions

3. Habitat and riparian area protection is enhanced

Possible solutions

• Environmental flow recommendations - guidelines or standards?

• Water allocation plans – optional or required?

• Should the decision maker consider or follow the plan?

• Enhance riparian area and habitat protection provisions

GOAL 2Improve water governance arrangements

Water Governance

Laws and regulations

Agencies or organisations

Policies and procedures

Science, information and knowledge

Objectives for improving water governance

1. Roles and accountabilities are clear

2. Arrangements are flexible and responsive

3. Management actions are coordinated

Delegated approach

Options for water governance

Shared approach

Centralized approach

Along a spectrum of decision making

GOAL 3

Introducing efficiency and flexibility into the water allocation system

Objectives for allocation system

• More efficient use and administration • Flexible and adaptable to changing

conditions • Groundwater and surface water

management are integrated• Users conserve during drought or when

stream health is threatened

Options for efficiency

• Government or partnerships determine actual needs

• Enable incentives and economic instruments or review water transfer rules

• Permitted uses – no licence required• Changed roles for users and applicants?

Options for flexibility

• Changing licence conditions based on new information

• First-in-time first-in-right or priority of use for groundwater management

• Options to deal with short and long term scarcity

GOAL 4Regulate groundwater extraction and use in priority areas and for large withdrawals

Objective for regulating groundwater use• Goal three objectives

and; • Groundwater

extraction and use is regulated in priority (critical) areas and for all large withdrawals

Options to regulate groundwater

• Regulation may mean a licence / permit• Individual domestic wells not targeted• Criteria proposed to determine priority

areas• Thresholds proposed for large • Thresholds could be altered by a Water

Management Plan

livingwatersmart@gov.bc.ca

Break out session See sign up sheets

Wall questionsA) Are the 4 goal areas inclusive enough to address

your interest area ? How might they be improved?B) 8 principles underpinned the development of the

discussion paper. How might the principles be improved ?

C) What key message do you want MOE to take away from today regarding changes to the Water Act ?

D) There are various ways for you to input to this process. Are there other ways that we can get your input.

Next steps

• Multiple forums for capturing your input

• Workshop themes on blog

• April 30, 2010 close of submissions

• Analysis of input and drafting of options by fall

Workshops Prince George - March 8Kamloops – March 11Kelowna – March 12Abbotsford – March 29 Smithers – April 13Nelson – April 16Fort St. John – April 20Vancouver – April 213 First Nations Sessions