Following extensive stakeholder
engagements over the past number of years, Polak is inviting all British
Columbians to review the proposal and submit final comments before the
act is introduced during the spring 2014 legislative session. The
proposed Water Sustainability Act will update and replace the existing
Water Act, respond to current and future pressures on water, and
position B.C. as a leader in water stewardship.
Since 2009, the B.C.
government has engaged widely, and received suggestions and ideas on an
unprecedented scale and quality with more than 2,250 written submissions
from individual citizens, First Nations organizations and stakeholder
groups. This is the third time that government has invited British
Columbians to comment on its proposals for a new Water Sustainability
Act. Consistent with the engagement feedback received to date, the Water
Sustainability Act will make improvements in seven key areas, to:
Protect stream health and aquatic environments; Consider water in
land-use decisions; Regulate and protect groundwater; Regulate water use
during times of scarcity; Improve security, water use efficiency and
conservation; Measure and report large scale water use; Provide for a
range of governance approaches.
During the next weeks, British
Columbians are encouraged to share their comments through an online
blog. In addition to the legislative proposal, there will be a number of
successive blog posts about the proposed new act. This feedback will
help refine the final legislation and will also assist government as it
develops the subsequent regulations and plans for detailed
implementation.
Water Sustainability Act
Environnement British Columbia – 18-10-2013