AUGUST 20, 2009
Presented TO: Gabriola Island Local Trust
BY: Jenny MacLeod
RE: BC WATER ADVISORY

The B.C. government and Fisheries and Oceans Canada are identifying the need to issue requests for water conservation and provide low streamflow advisories to local governments, local water suppliers and key stakeholders. If stream flows remain at or below record levels, and if water conservation measures are not effective, restrictions based on priority water licence rights may be imposed. Government may limit the number of, or impose restrictions on, new licences, regulate storage or place conditions on existing licences.

As conditions deteriorate, more extreme emergency measures may be necessary.

Water levels are reportedly dropping rapidly in streams and aquifers due to low winter snowpacks and extremely dry weather patterns in the spring and summer. While there currently appears to be a temporary reprieve in some areas, weather predictions for the remainder of the summer are calling for continued hot, dry conditions. Some streams have already reached their lowest flows on record for this date. The BC water advisories provide more detail on low flow conditions in the Thompson-Nicola and Okanagan regions, as well as information on sector-specific impacts.

Areas of low flow concern include: South Thompson Basin, Similkameen River Basin, the Okanagan River and Kettle River Basin, the South Coast and Vancouver Island.

Communities, businesses, agriculture, ecosystems and individuals in these regions will all be impacted as water supplies decrease. The Province has been working with local governments and industry on an action plan to manage the impacts of declining water availability, and may consider imposing mandatory water extraction restrictions using the provincial Water Act and federal Fisheries Act to address water use. However, we are told that the Province remains optimistic that successful voluntary actions could avert the need for such measures.

(Notice from BC Agriculture Council to all members, August 17, 2009) “We are therefore asking you to help us circulate information to producers regarding water use reduction through voluntary water conservation measures. Any efforts that are made now will help prolong water availability both for water users and aquatic ecosystems.”

For more information about B.C.’s water supply situation and about helping communities, industry and agriculture deal with drought, please visit the B.C. government’s drought web page at http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/wsd/public_safety/drought_info/
The Drought Handbook (updated 2009) can be accessed at http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/wsd/public_safety/drought_info/index.html
Water is a critical resource for us all and conserving water is everyone’s responsibility, even more so in times of water shortage.

I would suggest that Islands Trust encourage the BC Government to enforce a moratorium of all bulk groundwater pumping in the Islands Trust Area until this BC water advisory is lifted.

Sincerely,

Jenny MacLeod