Environment and Parks
Environment Minister Mary Polak today released government's legislative proposal for a new Water Sustainability Act.
Following extensive stakeholder engagements over the past number of years, Polak is inviting all British Columbians to review the proposal and submit final comments before the act is introduced during the spring 2014 legislative session.
The proposed Water Sustainability Act will update and replace the existing Water Act, respond to current and future pressures on water, and position B.C. as a leader in water stewardship.
Since 2009, the B.C. government has engaged widely, and received suggestions and ideas on an unprecedented scale and quality with more than 2,250 written submissions from individual citizens, First Nations organizations and stakeholder groups. This is the third time that government has invited British Columbians to comment on its proposals for a new Water Sustainability Act.
Consistent with the engagement feedback received to date, the Water Sustainability Act will make improvements in seven key areas, to:
- Protect stream health and aquatic environments.
- Consider water in land-use decisions.
- Regulate and protect groundwater.
- Regulate water use during times of scarcity.
- Improve security, water use efficiency and conservation.
- Measure and report large scale water use.
- Provide for a range of governance approaches.
During the next four weeks, British Columbians are encouraged to share their comments through an online blog. In addition to the legislative proposal, there will be a number of successive blog posts about the proposed new act.
Participants can submit their feedback on the blog, or by email, fax or post, until Nov. 15, 2013. All input received by the deadline will be posted online. This feedback will help refine the final legislation and will also assist government as it develops the subsequent regulations and plans for detailed implementation.
(flickr.com) Quotes:
Mary Polak, Minister of Environment -
"Modernizing the Water Act was a key commitment in our government's election platform. We promised to engage with British Columbians one more time before introducing the proposed Water Sustainability Act into the legislature, which is why we are now asking them to review the legislative proposal and let us know what they think. It's important we take the necessary steps today to ensure that our water stays healthy and secure for future generations."
Lorne Hunter, chair of the Water Committee of the British Columbia Agriculture Council -
"Sustainable local food production is dependent on access to a stable and affordable water supply. B.C. farmers and ranchers support updating the Water Act and hope that it will help protect our food producing capacity for future generations. We appreciate that the Ministry of Environment has sought our input on the issue and look forward to ongoing discussion as the new act is finalized."
Bruce Ingimundson, managing director, British Columbia Ground Water Association -
"The B.C. Ground Water Association is very pleased to see the upcoming enactment of the new Water Sustainability Act. We have been seeking legislation in the form of reasonable regulations to protect the groundwater resource on which so many British Columbians depend. Having worked actively for several years with the Ministry of Environment towards this goal, it is with great anticipation that we look forward to the enactment of the new act and subsequent regulations."
Paul Kariya, executive director, Clean Energy BC -
"In B.C., where energy, water and salmon sustainability intersect, there is urgency to modernize the Water Act as soon as possible. Clean Energy BC is supportive of Minister Polak's leadership for action and the co-operative relationship we have established with ministry officials."
Oliver Brandes, co-director of the POLIS Project on Ecological Governance at the University of Victoria -
"I applaud the Province's efforts to engage in a thorough update of the B.C. Water Act, and I welcome the commitment to bring in new legislation this spring that protects fresh water and fills critical gaps in the current provincial approach to water management."
"Water is an emerging priority globally and right here in B.C., and passing a progressive Water Sustainability Act is a critical first step to ensure B.C. not only catches up with much of the developed world in water management, but ensure the necessary tools are available to allow B.C. to deal with the challenges and opportunities ahead in the coming decades."
David Labistour, CEO of Mountain Equipment Co-op -
"British Columbians are proud to live in a 'super natural' environment, one in which our rivers, lakes and streams are great natural pathways and places of recreation for all. We support the government's process of engaging with British Columbians in order to advance the Living Water Smart commitment into a revised act that ensures the integrity and flow of water required to preserve the recreational and ecological interests that we associate with this beautiful province of ours."
Mark Angelo, rivers chair, Outdoor Recreation Council of BC -
"A new Water Sustainability Act would serve to modernize the existing, century-old Water Act, which doesn't reflect today's norms or values, especially from an environmental perspective. This new legislation would be a significant and welcomed step forward, and will improve our ability to better manage and care for our rivers, aquifers and water resources in general."
Kevin Boon, general manager, BC Cattlemen's Association -
"It is simple, without water security there can be no food security. As holders of some of the oldest water licences in the province, ranchers take water stewardship very seriously. Our goal has been to ensure that the Water Sustainability Act provides ranchers and farmers with access to dependable water supplies now and in the future to meet our growing demand."
Leslie Bogdan, director of regional operations (BC/Boreal Region) for Ducks Unlimited Canada
"Ducks Unlimited Canada applauds the B.C. government for the release of the Water Sustainability Act legislative proposal. Alongside our Wetland Stewardship Partnership partners, Ducks Unlimited Canada sees updating existing water legislation as a critical step to ensure that clean and abundant water sustains B.C.'s natural systems, supports a strong economy and provides for social well-being for our province into the future. We are very happy that all British Columbians are being provided with another opportunity to provide their input on these important changes."
Jack Wong, CEO of the Real Estate Foundation of B.C. -
"It's vitally important that real estate and land use practices respect the health of our watersheds. One of the best ways to ensure that happens is to provide a governance framework - laws and regulations - that help everybody do the right thing for B.C. communities and natural environments."
Tanja McQueen, CEO of the BC Water & Waste Association -
"The BC Water & Waste Association represents more than 4,500 water sector professionals in British Columbia, including water plant operators, utility managers, engineers and technology suppliers. Our association supports the ministry's goals for integrated watershed management planning and improved monitoring and reporting of water withdrawals, in order to ensure safe, secure and sustainable water systems that protect public health and the environment."
Jock Finlayson, executive vice-president and chief policy officer, Business Council of British Columbia -
"The Business Council of B.C. has been pleased with the time and effort the Province has put into engaging with our organization on modernizing the Water Act. The process has been transparent and extensive. We look forward to reviewing the legislative proposal for a new Water Sustainability Act and plan to provide further feedback to ensure our concerns are heard by government before the legislation is introduced next spring."
Geoff Morrison, manager of B.C. operations, Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers -
"The natural gas industry supports responsible water management and demonstrated leadership through the creation and implementation of the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers' Operating Practices for Hydraulic Fracturing. B.C.'s natural gas industry is poised to grow in anticipation of LNG export opportunities. Ensuring a responsible approach to water management that is transparent and equitable is important, and we look forward to further consultation with the B.C. government as it updates the existing Water Act and works toward the new Water Sustainability Act."
Rhona Martin, president, Union of British Columbia Municipalities -
"The Water Sustainability Act is a matter of interest to all British Columbians. I encourage local governments in particular to take advantage of this opportunity to review the legislative proposal and provide final comments."
Learn More:
To view and comment on the legislative proposal and summary document for the new Water Sustainability Act, please visit: http://engage.gov.bc.ca/watersustainabilityact/
Contact:
Media Relations
Ministry of Environment
250 953-3834
