WC128 JanFeb2023 - Magazine - Page 26
LEGAL
Spotlight on Watersheds
Taking a closer look at British Columbia’s
proposed Watershed Security and Strategy Fund
BY CHARLES BOIS AND MICHELLE ENG
I
Charles Bois
is a Partner with
Miller Thompson, LLP.
Michelle Eng
is an Articled Student with
Miller Thompson, LLP.
26
N JANUARY OF 2022, the government of British Columbia issued a discussion paper seeking
the public’s input on a proposed Watershed Security Strategy and Fund,1 the main goal of which is
to promote healthy and secure watersheds.
In its discussion paper, the Province highlights the
significance of watershed security in light of the impacts of climate change, including increased weather
events that undermine “the health of watersheds,
and by extension the wellbeing of all living things.”2
This was demonstrated by British Columbia’s severe
droughts and wildfires during the summer of 2021
which reduced water levels in rivers, lakes, and large
aquifers, resulting in diminished drinking water in
reservoirs and significant restrictions on water use.
The Strategy also refers to the extended period of
heavy rainfall in 2021 which resulted in historic
flooding in the Fraser Valley, which ultimately led to
“loss of life, damage to property, disruption of critical
food supply chains, and economic hardship.”3
Over the past few years watershed security and
diminishing water supplies have lead the Oil and Gas
Commission to issue orders temporarily restricting
water diversions by its operators in Northeastern
B.C.4 The Strategy ultimately implemented by the
Province may also result in new policies and regulations regarding water use and more stringent requirements for increased water recovery, remediation, and
recycling by the oil and gas industry and other large
commercial and industrial water users.
WATER C AN ADA • JANUARY/ FEBRUARY 2023
The Strategy puts an
emphasis on providing
education and outreach
around water management
by collaborating with various
levels of governments
and Indigenous and nonIndigenous groups.
WAT E R C A N A D A . N E T
