Awash with opportunity: Ensuring the sustainability of British Columbia's new water law

Date

2015-11

Authors

Brandes, Oliver M.
Carr-Wilson, Savannah
Curran, Deborah
Simms, Rosie

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

POLIS Project on Ecological Governance

Abstract

n May 2014, the Province of British Columbia enacted the new Water Sustainability Act, which provides an unprecedented opportunity to fully modernize British Columbia’s water law regime. This report provides an analysis of the Water Sustainability Act and the core regulations required to bring its sustainable aspects into full effect. It outlines leading best practices from around the globe and offers clear recommendations for WSA regulation development in five key areas: (1) Groundwater licensing; (2) Environmental flows; (3) Monitoring and reporting; (4) Water objectives; and (5) Planning and governance.

Description

This report is the culmination of many individuals’ efforts in researching, reviewing, and contributing to the understanding of B.C.’s new Water Sustainability Act.

Keywords

British Columbian water law, water Sustainability Act, Sustainable water management, Environmental Flows, Monitoring and Reporting, Water Objectives, Planning and Governance, water law reforms, Groundwater Licensing, POLIS Project on Ecological Governance, Centre for Global Studies

Citation

Brandes, O.M., Carr-Wilson, S., Curran, D., Simms, R. (2015, November). Awash with Opportunity: Ensuring the sustainability of British Columbia's new water law. Victoria, Canada: POLIS Project on Ecological Governance, University of Victoria.

URI