News and event information for Williams Lake, BC - as it happens.

British Columbians care deeply about our water resources and want to ensure provincial water laws are updated to better protect water, now and in the future, according to a new report released today by Environment Minister Barry Penner. 

The Water Act Modernization Report on Engagement summarizes months of public input into water planning and decision-making as B.C. responds to the impacts of climate change, population growth and increasing demands on the province’s fresh water supply. 

First Nations organizations, stakeholder groups and individual British Columbians responded with nearly 1,000 submissions to the ministry’s call for public input, and about 600 people attended workshops across the province earlier this year. Their input will inform how the B.C. government takes action on the four key goals of modernizing B.C.’s Water Act:

·         Protecting stream health and aquatic environments.

·         Improving water governance.

·         Increasing flexibility and efficiency in the water allocation system.

·         Regulating ground water use in priority areas and for large withdrawals. 

In response to the high level of public interest and repeated requests for more participation, the ministry will announce additional opportunities to comment on specific Water Act modernization proposals later this year. 

In the meantime, learn what your fellow British Columbians are already saying by viewing the Report on Engagement and all public submissions at www.livingwatersmart.ca/wateract/submissions/. 

B.C.’s Living Water Smart blog also continues to be an active forum for public dialogue on water issues. To read or contribute, go to http://blog.gov.bc.ca/livingwatersmart/. 

Modernizing the Water Act is an essential part of Living Water Smart: B.C.’s Water Plan, the provincial government’s vision and plan to keep the province’s water healthy and secure for the future.

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