WHEREAS it is recognized that water is a public trust and the UBCM membership has consistently endorsed resolutions emphasizing protection and control of local water resources, and that adequate tools are required to enable local authorities to enact measures for protection of watersheds; AND WHEREAS the provincial government has recently released further details concerning implementation of its commitment to modernize the Water Act, which includes a strategy to protect water flows for fish and the environment; regulate groundwater; improve governance; and promote conservation, in order to address issues of source water protection, industrial pollution and land-use changes: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that UBCM request the Ministry of Environment to proceed in its efforts to modernize the Water Act including full consultation with First Nations, to ensure that the new Water Sustainability Act establishes a strong enabling framework, in the context of provincial and federal oversight and regulatory backstop, that: - increases the local role in key decisions affecting the health of watersheds; - ensures protection for water for fish and the environment in the context of local conditions; - regulates groundwater; - promotes water conservation; - recognizes First Nations Rights and Title; and - establishes a meaningful role for local government, First Nations, and local watershed authorities regarding approvals and control.
Ministry of Environment British Columbias new Water Sustainability Act received Royal Assent in May 2014. The new Act will bring greater certainty and security for all users and clearer rules for managing conflicts during times of scarcity. Our demand for water province-wide is increasing, in part driven by changing climate, expanding resource development and growing communities. The new Act creates more tools to manage BC water resources, which means new business for the provincial government. The new Act will ensure that water is available for fish and the environment through new requirements to consider environmental flow needs, provide the ability to temporarily restrict water use to protect critical environmental flow needs, as well prohibit dumping of debris into streams and aquifers. Under the new Act, non-domestic groundwater users will require a license and be subject to fees and rentals. The Act will help improve water use efficiency through expanded requirements for beneficial use, as well as the ability to establish water conservation targets and carry out conservation audits. Planning provisions in the new Act will enable plans to be developed and implemented to prevent or address conflicts between water use and ecosystem health. New governance tools will include the ability to delegate decisions and activities to other organizations and allow for greater participation in decision processes. Supporting regulations to enhance water governance will be developed in the coming years. The new Act is not intended to impede current or future First Nations treaty negotiations and contains provisions that facilitate the interests in water established in treaties.