BC Watershed Security Coalition celebrates World Water Day & calls for governments to invest in watershed security

MEDIA RELEASE

March 22, 2024

Victoria, B.C. Lekwungen Territory; On World Water Day, we celebrate B.C.’s rich and abundant watersheds such as the Fraser, Skeena, Okanagan, Peace, Columbia, and Cowichan. These watersheds bring life, health, and prosperity to communities in every corner of the province. 

“Our streams, rivers and lakes are the cornerstone of our local economies, food security, and ecosystems but we have taken them for granted and continue to degrade watersheds in many regions,” said Coree Tull, chair of the BC Watershed Security Coalition. “With low snowpack and a potentially devastating drought approaching, we need our provincial and federal governments working together to strengthen our watershed security, not just for this year, but for the future climate-fueled disasters we know are coming.” 

The Coalition welcomes this week’s provincial announcements related to drought and floods that included an $80-million investment in agricultural water storage and the release of a new BC Flood Strategy. While encouraged by the province’s recognition of the urgency of these issues, these announcements fall short of the scale of resources required to rebuild watershed security, and fail to address the many gaps in B.C.’s outdated water management system.

“The climate crisis is a water crisis. We either have too little water when we need it or too much water when we don’t. Investments in specific drought mitigation measures, like water storage for agriculture, are necessary but not sufficient for the scale of watershed security work needed across B.C.,” said Tull. “Where are the investments we need in local watershed boards, in rebuilding the critical natural infrastructure of our watersheds, and for assessing and monitoring the state of our rivers, lakes and aquifers?”  

On the newly announced BC Flood Strategy, the Coalition commends the work the province has done with First Nations and local governments to develop a strategy that aligns with global best practices, but the lack of any new, dedicated, long-term funds for the strategy is a significant concern.

“The Lower Fraser Floodplains Coalition was encouraged to see an ambitious and practical BC Flood Strategy that sets the table for floodplain management and resilience in BC,” said Lina Azeez, Habitats Program Director, Watershed Watch Salmon Society and member of the Lower Fraser Floodplains Coalition “Unfortunately, yesterday’s announcement did not move away from the status quo, piecemeal approach. Rather, it reinforced this approach with funds for specific local projects and nothing committed to the important collaborative work needed to manage the enormous flood risks in the lower Fraser and across the province. In the future, we look forward to funding that matches the ambition of this strategy.”

Additional reaction to provincial announcements

“We are decades behind in terms of progressive and adaptive water management across B.C., and because of this, we find ourselves trapped in a costly, reactionary cycle. The B.C. government needs to make watershed security a priority for all its Ministers and connect the dots between activities on the landscape that contribute to drought and flooding, such as the ongoing logging of old growth forests, and the costs that these activities impose on communities. We will all pay the price unless we rapidly pull back on activities that damage our watersheds and scale up the initiatives that make our watersheds stronger.”

Kat Hartwig, Executive Director of Living Lakes Canada, a member organization of the BC Watershed Security Coalition

“As a rancher, I am pleased to see the $80-million investment for the Agriculture Water Infrastructure Program. We need to see these funds used wisely and strategically through a broader watershed security approach. Smart investments in nature-based storage such as wetlands, beaver-dam analogues, and streambank restoration offer tremendous co-benefits for flood protection, drought mitigation, food production and sustaining flows for fish. These projects can be great for farmers, and if targeted correctly, they can also support First Nations priorities and wider community benefits.”

Dave Zehnder, Zehnder Ranch and Watershed Security Coalition Steering Member

“While immediate investments in water storage are welcome and applauded, a clear long-term strategy is needed to keep more water on the landscape and build additional storage capacity moving forward.  Investments in watershed restoration and enhancement are one of the most important things we can do to boost natural water storage. Ducks Unlimited looks forward to more details from the government on how we can work with all partners on watershed security initiatives in a way that fully leverages the passion, expertise and resources across society.”

Andrea Barnett, Manager of Government Relations, Ducks Unlimited Canada

For more information, contact:

Lina Azeez, Habitats Program Director, Watershed Watch Salmon Society 

Email: [email protected] Cell: 604-537-2341

Dave Zehnder, Owner, Zehnder Ranch

Email: [email protected] Cell: 250-342-0325

Nicole Trigg, Communications Director, Living Lakes Canada

Email: [email protected]

Andrea Barnett, Manager of Government Relations, Ducks Unlimited Canada

Cell: 250-320-5388

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