EDITOR:

I attended this symposium on Saturday and Sunday. It was a most interesting mix of people in attendance! There were individuals from the controlling of our water Forest Companies, Harmac Mills, politicians, engineers, planners, students and activists within our community. I was a part of the group on Water when we broke into our working sessions. There was great discussion, respectful may I add, and a ton of ideas generated. The following was this groups report to the entire group of attendees;

Nanaimo River Symposium - Breakout Session (Water)
9.25.2011

IMMEDIATE ACTIONS TO ACHIEVE THE 2030 VISION:

1. Submit to the province changes to the WaterAct to protect ground water
2. Submit this symposium’s conclusions to RDN hearings in October on regional growth strategy with copies to other elected local authorities and First Nations
3.Increase use of rainwater catchment, so less draws on the Nanaimo river
4. Establish relationships among all involved authorities, citizens groups, first nations
5. Map quantity of water sources in Nanaimo river watershed, including Cassidy and its relationship to the Nanaimo river as a priority
6. Assess effects of development on ecosystem, including quality and quantity of water before development allowed, based on entire watershed despite geopolitical divisions
7. Determine Douglas Treaty and other treaty implications for the Nanaimo river watershed
8. Submit to federal government request to change northern border of national marine conservation area to extend to Nanaimo river estuary
9. Require new developments to connect to community water supply and waste treatment systems
10. Educate the public about the quality and quantity of water in the Nanaimo river watershed and related ecological, social and economic issues
11. Consider seismic upgrading of existing water related infrastructure

2030 VISION:

1. Nanaimo river watershed is in mid-island UNESCO- model biosphere reserve and Community owns the watershed
2. An educated public is involved and fully engaged in watershed management
3. Development is governed by sustainability of entire ecosystem with protection of nature, wildlife species like salmon get top priority for water
4. Obligations under the Douglas Treaty and other treaty processes are met.

"Editor"- Many of us complained about the year 2030 as an end of Vision Goal...but it appears we may be stuck with that for now.

The intent of NALT is to strike "working groups" for each of the sections we covered off on the Saturday/Sunday. I have signed on for the working group on Water and will look forward to the next several meetings, once they start, to see how we progress. I will report further following these meetings.

Yours
June Ross- Editor- www.vancouverislandwaterwatchcoalition.ca