Water and Climate Change in British Columbia, Canada

Transcription

1 Water and Climate Change in British Columbia, Canada Presentation to RegionsAdapt Water Resources and Management Working Group Jenny Fraser British Columbia Ministry of Environment 8 June 2016

2 Background information about British Columbia Size: 95 million hectares (364,764 square miles) Land ownership: 95% is Crown land held on behalf of the monarch 94% by the Government of British Canada 1% by the Government of Canada Water ownership: by the provincial Crown Provincial government issues authorizations for the use of water International exports (natural resource sector is important): Energy 31% Forest products 31% Mining 11% Agriculture 8% Non-resource 20%

3 There are 14 distinct zones based on climate, vegetation, soils, topography B.C. includes desert, temperate rainforest, and many other ecosystems. Protection of biodiversity and natural systems is an important management goal

4 Most of the people live on the southern coast and southern interior Population: 4.63 million (2014) Population of Greater Vancouver Regional District: 2.5 million Aboriginal population: 196,000 or 5% (2006)

5 B.C. must consult First Nations if decisions may affect aboriginal or treaty rights There are 198 First Nations, with varied cultures and traditions. Government has treaties, formal agreements with many. Aboriginal rights pertain to: activities, practices, traditions, or customs integral to a distinctive culture (e.g. hunting, fishing, gathering plants) an interest in land, based on exclusive occupation Treaty rights reflect historic or modern treaty agreements with the Crown

6 Flow sensitivity of major provincial watersheds Flow-sensitive streams or rivers are those in which during the summer the 1 in 2 year mean monthly low flow is below 20% Mean Annual Discharge. Stream flow below this threshold usually indicates that summer flow is a natural limiting factor for the aquatic ecosystem.

7 On this map, the purple dots show water sources on which there are currently allocation restrictions. They have limited capacity to accommodate more water diversion and use. Many are in flow sensitive watersheds and the areas where most British Columbians live. The red squares represent water that has been reserved for future use for agriculture, a First Nation, or conservation.

8 There are almost 100,000 registered wells in British Columbia 15,000 3,100 80,000 Domestic wells Non-domestic wells <250 m3/day Non-domestic wells >250 m3/day British Columbia started in 2016 to regulate groundwater use

9 CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTS ON WATER IN BRITISH COLUMBIA

10 A changing climate in British Columbia includes Gradual changes in average climate: Warmer winters Warmer nights More precipitation more rain, less snow More frequent extreme weather events: Heavy precipitation events Heat waves Droughts Climate change impacts on water: Glacier loss Reduced snowpack Increased likelihood of flooding Increased likelihood of water scarcity 10

11 B.C. lost 2500 km 2 of glacier area in from 1985 to 2005; this affects hydrology

12 Snow Water Equivalent (mm) Spring snow levels declined during the 20 th century and will continue to decline Canoe River (upper Fraser River) Nazko (Fraser Plateau) A01A - Canoe River - Apr 1st SWE 910 m, % since C08 - Nazko - Apr 1st Snow Water Equivalent 1070 m, % since Western Canada has seen statistically significant decline in the snow fraction of total precipitation, particularly in the spring over the last 50 years Snow pack stores winter precipitation and releases it during the summer, when stream flows are naturally low. Stave Lake (lower Fraser River) D08 - Stave Lake - April 1st Snow Water Equivalent (Elevation = 1210 metres) % since Year

13 Many creeks and streams will have less water in them during summer and autumn Change in Flow (Base-2080) Whiteman Creek, Okanagan. Cohen et al 2004 Many regions of British Columbia receive little precipitation during the summer months. Agriculture and communities in these regions rely on stream water during these months. In addition, fish populations in these rivers depend on adequate summer flows. Changes in stream flow will have important impacts. 13

14 Changes in hydrology will also affect major rivers such as the Fraser River Total area: 220,000 km 2 (85,000 miles 2 ) Annual discharge: 112 km 3 (27 miles 3 ) The main flow is not dammed in order to protect salmon fisheries Some tributaries are dammed to provide hydroelectric power Upper Fraser supports important salmon runs and aboriginal fisheries, agriculture, ranching, recreation Lower Fraser supports intensive agriculture Fraser Delta is behind 600 km of dikes for flood protection

15 january february march april may june july august september october november december Projected Changes in Fraser River Flows by % 140% 120% 100% 80% more rain and floods 60% 40% 20% 0% -20% -40% -60% more low flow and drought cccma cfgl

16 WATER MANAGEMENT IN BRITISH COLUMBIA British Columbia is mainstreaming climate change adaptation into its water management regime. In this presentation I ll discuss some to the new tools to address increased water scarcity.

17 The new provincial Water Sustainability Act came into force on 29 February

18 Regulations under the WSA provide more details on water management Water Sustainability Fees, Rentals & Charges Tariff Groundwater Protection Dam Safety Water licensing, diversion & use of water Fees & rentals schedule Registration of well drillers & well pump installers Dam failure consequence classification Transition of existing groundwater use Exemptions from fees & rentals Well construction & identification Responsibilities of dam owners Changes in & about a stream Administration of fees & rentals Well pumps & related works Operation & maintenance Use of water for well drilling Well operation & maintenance Dam monitoring & safety review Use of deep groundwater Well deactivation & decommissioning Emergency plans Well Reports 18

19 WSA introduces new tools to address current and future pressures on water Natural low-flows Water allocation restrictions Population growth New economic activities Climate change 19

20 WSA enables B.C. to manage surface water and groundwater as one resource Regulate groundwater Recognize hydraulic connection between surface water & groundwater Consider hydraulic connection when: Licensing water use Regulating water use during shortages 20

21 WSA provides stronger protection for aquatic ecosystems and species Environmental flow needs Must consider in licensing decisions Water reservations for conservation Prohibition on introducing debris Enhanced protection during water scarcity Environmental flow needs: the volume and timing of water flow required for the proper functioning of an aquatic ecosystem 21

22 WSA sets out action to be taken during periods of temporary water scarcity First priority to essential household use Second priority to critical environmental flow thresholds Then First in Time, First in Right rules apply Users with senior water rights have priority Users with junior rights lose access first Suspend any user to prevent loss of a fish population 22

23 WSA sets out action to be taken during periods of temporary water scarcity The Act sets out priorities during periods of temporary water scarcity. First is "essential household use" allowing each private dwelling up to 250 litres of water per day for (a) drinking water, food preparation and sanitation, and (b) animals or poultry that are kept for household use or as pets. Second is ensuring "critical environmental flows. This is the minimum volume of water in a stream needed to prevent significant or irreversible harm to the stream ecosystem. After this, the First-in-Time, First-in-Right or FITFIR system applies. This assigns water rights according to the date on the licence. If there is not enough water for all users to obtain water, licensees with the most recent rights must reduce or suspend their water use first. Government can also suspend any water user no matter how senior -- to prevent loss of a fish population.

24 WSA introduces tools to promote efficient use in water-scarce regions Monitoring & reporting Beneficial use Water objectives Water sustainability plans 24

25 WSA introduces tools to promote efficient use in water-scarce regions The Act introduces tools to promote efficient use where water scarcity is an ongoing concern. Monitoring and reporting will help government identify opportunities to increase water use efficiency and to find water for new uses. The initial focus will be on large volume users. The WSA requires a person who diverts water to use it beneficially. The definition of Beneficial Use includes the efficient use of water. Government can ask water licensees to meet a specific level of efficiency and/or conservation. The WSA enables the establishment of water quality or quantity objectives for a watershed, stream, aquifer or other specified area. Local governments and other prescribed persons or entities could be required to consider water objectives in their decisions. The WSA enables the development and implementation of water sustainability plans for specific watersheds ad/or aquifers. Such plans would prevent or address conflicts between water uses, and impacts to water from land-based activities. They would be able to: Restrict the use of land or resources, Revise water rights Provide for dedicated agricultural water The process for developing such plans would emphasize collaboration, local leadership, and stakeholder participation.

26 WSA enables new water governance arrangements Appointment of formal advisory boards on any matter under the Act Decisions and activities of statutory officials can be conferred on other persons or entities Water Sustainability Planning Alternative leadership in planning Could incorporate traditional ecological knowledge

27 First Nations and the WSA Fee/rental exemptions for water use on reserve and Treaty lands Licences required for surface water and groundwater use on reserve and Treaty lands Consideration of First Nation uses of water (including spiritual/cultural) in the review of water licence applications Provisions for Water Sustainability Plans that can incorporate traditional ecological knowledge 27

28 WSA policy and regulation development continues Next phase: Livestock watering Measuring and reporting Future phases: Water objectives Water Sustainability Plans Dedicated agricultural water Water governance 28

29 AREAS FOR POTENTIAL REGIONSADAPT COLLABORATION AND SHARING

30 Increasing water security through Climate and hydrological modelling (U. of Victoria) Alternative water governance Area-based water planning Integrating western and traditional knowledge Protecting aquatic ecosystems and fish Increased water use efficiency????

31 Thank you! Comments, questions, more information: Water Sustainability Act and regulations: Developing the Water Sustainability Act Climate Leadership Plan 31