PDF《Water, Air and Climate Change》

A Freshwater Strategy for British Columbia Water, Air and Climate Change Branch WATER QUALITY A Freshwater Strategy for British Columbia November

1999 http://www.

env.gov.bc.ca/wat/fws/fws_nov_99.html (1 of 19)2006-01-17 2:57:26 PM A Freshwater Strategy for British Columbia http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/wat/fws/fws_nov_99.html (2 of 19)2006-01-17 2:57:26 PM A Freshwater Strategy for British Columbia Canadian Cataloguing in Publication Data British Columbia. Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks. A freshwater strategy for British Columbia ISBN 0-7726-4081-5 1. Water quality management C British Columbia. 2. Water - Government policy - British Columbia. 3. Water resources development - Government policy - British Columbia. I. Title. TD227.B7B74

1999 333.91'

009711 C99-960408-2 A Freshwater Strategy for British Columbia November

1999 Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/wat/fws/fws_nov_99.html (3 of 19)2006-01-17 2:57:26 PM A Freshwater Strategy for British Columbia A Freshwater Strategy for British Columbia Table of Contents Introduction Key Challenges Principles for Action Context for the Freshwater Strategy The Freshwater Strategy Healthy Aquatic Ecosystems Assured Human Health and Safety Sustainable Social, Economic and Recreational Benefits of Water The Freshwater Action Plan Conclusion Introduction British Columbians clearly recognize values in water that go far beyond domestic, industrial and agricultural uses. We appreciate its spiritual, aesthetic and recreational values, and understand its fundamental importance to the natural environment and all life. Of all our natural resources, water is the most precious. With a growing population and increasing development, BC'

s water resource is under stress. British Columbia is blessed with some of the cleanest and most abundant water supplies in the world. But, contrary to our perception, this resource is neither pristine nor endless. With a growing human population and increasing development, BC'

s water resource C both its quality and quantity C is under stress. Without a collective commitment, by water users and water managers, British Columbia'

s freshwater resource is vulnerable. http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/wat/fws/fws_nov_99.html (4 of 19)2006-01-17 2:57:26 PM A Freshwater Strategy for British Columbia A commitment to ensure clean, reliable, sustainable water. The Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks (now called Ministry of Environment) considers water protection and management to be top priorities. We are committed to ensuring clean, reliable, sustainable water to protect public health, the environment and the economy. The Stewardship of the Water initiative focused on eight key areas. The discussion paper, Stewardship of the Water of BC, released in July

1993 focused on certain key water policy and legislative actions: groundwater management, water pricing, managing activities in and about water, water management planning, water allocation, floodplain management, water quality management, and water conservation. The Stewardship paper was widely distributed, written comments received and consultation meetings held throughout the province. Several initiatives have been completed, others are underway, and new actions have been identified. Over the past several years, the provincial government has made major changes in water resource policies, legislation and guidelines. Many of these have had direct and positive impacts on the quality and sustainability of water resources. Nevertheless, there is still much to be done on specific water issues. This document, A Freshwater Strategy for British Columbia, provides an overview of the future direction of water management in BC. The strategy: outlines some of the key challenges in water management, identifies the principles which will guide decisions, presents the ministry strategic goals and the linkages to the freshwater strategy, discusses the freshwater strategic goals, and describes the initiatives developed to accomplish those goals, the accomplishments to date in each initiative or program and the priority actions to be completed over the next three years. Key Challenges Any comprehensive undertaking, such as A Freshwater Strategy for BC, faces complex and often multi-layered challenges that must be identified and addressed before meaningful progress can be achieved. Sustaining ecosystems while meeting the demands of society. BC is blessed with a spectacular range of landscapes, each of which supports an integrated system of plant and animal life. Our primary challenge is sustaining the integrity of these diverse ecosystems. How do we preserve ecological integrity in the face of competition for the use of natural resources? How do we meet the needs of a growing society without irreparably damaging the environment upon which we all depend? There are a number of other factors which make this fundamental challenge even more difficult ― structural issues, fiscal restraint, societal beliefs, and global trends. http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/wat/fws/fws_nov_99.html (5 of 19)2006-01-17 2:57:26 PM A Freshwater Strategy for British Columbia A complex array of federal, provincial and local agencies that each have roles in managing water issues. At present, there is a complex array of federal, provincial and local agencies that each have roles in managing water resources, through a wide range of legislative and regulatory tools. There is a public expectation that all levels and agencies of government coordinate their activities to ensure that water is adequately protected. How can efforts between agencies best be coordinated to reduce duplication and overlap? Can responsibilities be harmonized across jurisdictions? Which agencies are best positioned to perform these activities? Fiscal restraint and sensitivity to the regulatory burden on business. For years the public has demanded smaller, more streamlined government and regulation which does not unduly impair the competitiveness of businesses. How can water be managed more efficiently and effectively? Which initiatives should be legislated, regulated or voluntary? The need to change deeply-ingrained beliefs and perceptions about our water resource. In many respects, societal challenges are the more difficult ones to overcome. We are asking individuals to change deeply-ingrained beliefs, perceptions and practices related to our water resource. We tend to believe that our water resource is abundant and endless, even when faced with frequent or seasonal water shortages in many parts of the province. Some feel that water should be free ― or at least very cheap ― despite the costs of management and delivery. And many people feel that responsibility for clean, healthy water lies solely with governments, without considering the serious impacts their own daily activities can cause, or the positive benefits they and their communities can achieve. National and international competitive pressures, and global warming. There are many other, perhaps less tangible challenges which must be recognized and acknowledged in any water initiatives. Factors such as increasing national and international pressures for BC to share its water with nations and regions where clean water is scarce. The uncertain impacts of global warming on rainfall patterns and temperatures, and their impacts on ecosystem integrity, are difficult to predict and even harder to affect, yet must be considered in any actions. Principles for Action As the Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks proceeds with the Freshwater Strategy for BC, the following over-arching principles are being used to guide activities and initiatives: Ecosystem Integrity http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/wat/fws/fws_nov_99.html (6 of 19)2006-01-17 2:57:26 PM A Freshwater Strategy for British Columbia Ecosystems are complex, inter-dependent communities of plants and animals which have adapted to a specific set of environ........