Don Pearson Conservation Ontario

Transcription

1 Lawrence National Centre for Policy & Management Richard Ivey School of Business Water Innovation Forum Spencer Leadership Centre January 24, 2011 Don Pearson Conservation Ontario

2 PRESENTATION OUTLINE Observations on Ontario s water management culture The need for a more integrated approach Defining Integrated Watershed Management The Practice of IWM in Ontario Moving Forward

3 OBSERVATIONS ON ONTARIO S WATER MANAGEMENT CULTURE Sector or issue-based Flood control Fisheries Drought Water taking Nutrient management Drinking Water Source Protection, etc. Operate within patchwork of federal & provincial legislation

4 OBSERVATIONS ON ONTARIO S WATER MANAGEMENT CULTURE Challenges of Sector/Issue-based Approach No overriding strategic direction Duplication of efforts/conflicting objectives Inefficient in terms of time and money Frustrates effective response to overriding threats such as climate change

5 THE NEED FOR A MORE The Need for a More Integrated Approach INTEGRATED APPROACH What is driving change in Ontario? Climate Change Rapid Population Growth Aging built infrastructure, stressed natural infrastructure Lack of Monitoring & investment in new science Water agenda is becoming more complex

6 THE NEED FOR A MORE INTEGRATED APPROACH Drivers cont d Linkages to other terrestrial-based systems and programs has increased due to development of specific initiatives e.g. Endangered Species Act Economic benefits green opportunities Developing Great Lakes agenda (US) Growing awareness of IWM globally & nationally

7 THE NEED FOR A MORE INTEGRATED APPROACH Need a Watershed-based approach that addresses both land and water related resources More effectively assess and balance ecological, social and economic interests

8 THE NEED FOR A MORE INTEGRATED APPROACH Integrated Approach helps us to: deal with uncertainty (ie around Climate Change, growth, Great Lakes, etc.) evaluate existing and future / multiple stressors more easily incorporate new ideas and technology integrate knowledge systems

9 RECOGNITION FOR THE NEED FOR A MORE INTEGRATED APPROACH Walkerton Inquiry recognized need for comprehensive approach & broad watershed management strategy (2002) Expert Panel Report on Climate Change Adaptation called for more integrated approach to help adapt to climate change (2009)

10 DEFINING INTEGRATED WATERSHED MANAGEMENT (IWM)? IWM is the continuous process of managing human activities and their impact on natural resources on a watershed basis Addresses multiple critical issues such as current & future impacts of rapid growth and climate change Ensures sustainable use, development, restoration & protection of ecosystem features & functions and linkages

11 DEFINING INTEGRATED WATERSHED MANAGEMENT Uses watershed action plans that are based on science and built from collaborations among a variety of sectors & stakeholders Allows multiple resource management issues to be considered together and resources to be fairly allocated; can be developed on different scales Is a scaleable, proactive planning and program delivery approach that enables solutions to be complementary rather than conflicting/duplicating

12 THE PRACTICE OF IWM IN ONTARIO IWM is being used today within Conservation Authorities, municipalities & NGOs: Set Workplan Priorities (CAs and municipalities) Secure Budgets (CAs and municipalities) Influence Municipal OPs/Secondary Plans with respect to growth and infrastructure (municipalities) Influence Provincial direction (local NGOs) Assess use of best management practices (stormwater management, agricultural bmp s) Assess key stressors such as climate change (CAs)

13 ONTARIO S 36 CONSERVATION AUTHORITIES Almost 90% of Ontario s population lives in watersheds managed by Conservation Authorities

14 THE PRACTICE OF IWM IN ONTARIO: Watershed/Sub-watershed Planning Water Quality/Quantity Monitoring & Modelling; Control of flooding & erosion Natural Heritage and Forestry Source Protection CA Program Areas Watershed Stewardship Technical Input & Review Land Use Planning Education & Recreation Protection of sensitive lands wetlands, flood plains, valley lands

15 THE PRACTICE OF IWM IN ONTARIO 2010: Integrated Watershed Management in Ontario: Navigating Ontario s Future Series of reports developed (IWM in Ontario; A Water Framework for Ontario; and A Water Budget Overview for Ontario; Summary) Looks at IWM globally, nationally and provincially Reviews the barriers, gaps and shifts that are required to update IWM in Ontario conservationontario.ca

16 MOVING FORWARD Agency water experts said: We need to improve our understanding of climate change and Ontario-specific impacts The current move to more rigid regulatory process hurts more than helps Need to challenge the myth of abundance of water Good science is being diluted by political concerns Decision-making is not always relying on available science

17 MOVING FORWARD: Barriers Lack of comprehensive water policies that could provide the basis for IWM Ever emerging issue-oriented provincial legislation Conservation Authorities identified significant problems with data and science gaps; mapping deficiencies; staff capacity and funding In Ontario, many don t recognize the important relationship of the environment to the economy & social systems

18 MOVING FORWARD: What does successful IWM look like? The watershed is used as the natural unit for managing our resources A governance model of inter-organizational networks exists...in other words, an institutional ecosystem Develop coordination and decision-making frameworks that are resilient and allow for adaptation. Draw on a broad spectrum of tools including regulation, land use planning, best management practices, incentives, education and volunteer action

19 MOVING FORWARD: What does successful IWM look like? Establish Science-based watershed action plans: Use effective collaboration across sectors (business, environment, agriculture, gov t etc.), sharing responsibility for plan development & implementation (reduces conflict/duplication) Transparent - share knowledge, resources & priority setting

20 MOVING FORWARD: What does successful IWM look like? Stronger Stakeholder & Public Involvement Be inclusive from onset and at all key points Nurture local ambassadors who can motivate, educate & serve as watchdogs Use good visual tools to explain the science and make information relevant Develop reports that are engaging, easy to read & help us to understand the technical data (ie: watershed report cards)

21 MOVING FORWARD: Ontario s Elements of Success Provincial Climate Change Expert Panel Proactive initiatives of current provincial government to incorporate green economic initiatives Experience of building source protection plans Conservation Authority model provides a good basis Existing and long standing local partnerships between governments, agencies & landowners

22 IWM CASE STUDY Innisfil Creek Water Management Project Highly variable weather irrigation problems 2007: Severe crisis: drought Average flow of the Innisfil Creek dropped from 5,000/gallons/min to 356 gallons/min.

23 IWM CASE STUDY Understand link between environment and their livelihoods: It is in everyone s best interest to take care of our water resources so that we as growers can continue to use water to irrigate our valued crops, provide locally grown agricultural products and to sustain the livelihoods of many in the area Frank Solty, Solty s Garden Centre

24 IWM - CASE STUDY Worked with the local Conservation Authority to: Determine the ecological flow requirements of creek in order to estimate how much water is needed to sustain the natural ecosystem Monitor conditions by installing streamflow gauges helped to schedule water takings in order to even out the demand and reduce impacts to the creek Educate water users on best management practices that can help to conserve water such as: drip irrigation systems (high efficiency/low volume); water management plans and using flow meters)

25 IWM CASE STUDY IWM processes used by the Innisfil Creek Water Users Association: Stakeholder involvement Use of management tools (PTTW, monitoring) Science-based Watershed planning Implementing best management practices Educating water users to manage and conserve their water uses Able to make informed decisions

26 MOVING FORWARD: NEXT STEPS Develop the tools we need to enable IWM more effectively (legislation, policies, watershed action plans, regulatory instruments, economic instruments, incentive structures) Build the Science (water budgets, data, expanded monitoring networks, etc.) Move towards an Adaptive Co-Management Governance Model Communicate the Science better in order to enable more participation

27 Conservation Ontario P.O. Box 11, 120 Bayview Pkwy Newmarket, ON L3Y 4W