WHEREAS the intent of British Columbias new Water Sustainability Act is to respond to current and future pressures on water and better manage a critical resource; AND WHEREAS groundwater extraction is not currently regulated resulting in decline and reduced stream flow in critical areas; AND WHEREAS creating agricultural water reserves will potentially improve the long-term security of water supply for ALR lands leading to increased agricultural production and food security: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that support for the principles of creating a groundwater regulation mechanism and agricultural water reserve system be conveyed to the provincial government.
Ministry of Environment Managing groundwater and securing access to water for agriculture and food security are two key initiatives of the proposed Water Sustainability Act. Currently in British Columbia, groundwater is not regulated. Under the Act it is proposed that large groundwater users will be required to obtain a licence or approval. In areas where groundwater is potentially at risk, licensing requirements could extend to all groundwater users. Also proposed in the Act will be the ability to reserve water for agriculture. Currently Agricultural Land Reserve ALR lands can only be used for agricultural production this can be difficult without secure access to water. Agricultural water reserves will protect the future water supply needs of ALR lands by maintaining water for agriculture.