Whereas it has long been recognized that water is a public trust, and the protection and control of local water resources requires adequate tools to enable local authorities to enact measures for protection of watersheds; And whereas the modernization of the Water Act has not yet progressed to a point where regulations are in place to enable local authorities to enact such measures necessary in order to adequately protect their watersheds; Therefore be it resolved that UBCM request that the Ministry of Environment proceed with the necessary steps to create regulations that will establish an increased local role in key decision making in matters affecting the health and protection of watersheds, including the right for local watershed authorities to be the agencies responsible for approvals and controls of activities in watersheds.
Ministry of Environment The Water Sustainability Act WSA and the first phase of regulations were brought into force on February 29, 2016. The WSA includes a number of new and updated governance-related provisions. Among them is the provision to create advisory boards as well as the ability to develop regulations to allow entities such as local governments to take on a greater role in decision-making in watersheds. Government acknowledges the interests of local governments and the public in exploring the alternative governance tools found in the Act. The current focus of WSA implementation is on maintaining the continuity of governments core water allocation business and the licensing of non-domestic groundwater use. Governance-related policy work will be part of a subsequent phase of policy and regulation development. Specific timelines have not yet been confirmed, however the Province will be engaging with local government, other stakeholders, First Nations and experts to further explore the range of governance needs and options and ensure governments objectives under the WSA are met.