What would the succinct message be? It would be that government intends to systematically check compliance, now and beyond March 1, 2022,” suggested Ted van der Gulik. “If government would follow through with compliance checking for ‘new’ unauthorized water uses, it would certainly send a message and a wake-up call to ALL water users – especially if accompanied by a concerted education and communication effort. The Province desperately needs a two-prong strategy to motivate historical non-domestic groundwater users to apply: communication and enforcement,” stated Mike Wei. “Dealing with 16,000 non-compliant historical water users after Mawould be overwhelming for government. She led the team that developed the new water law under the Water Sustainability Act. I believe that it is very important to be crystal clear about the impacts of the end of the transition period given how the law is written,” said Donna Forsyth, retired civil servant. “Since the government made a ‘once in a century’ change to the water law, government needs to ensure that they communicate ALL of the ongoing financial risks to historical businesses and the potential devaluation of their properties, if they miss the deadline. Missing the Deadline Would Mean Shutting Down Businesses Many are unaware, and even surprised, to hear of the requirement for groundwater licensing it’s just not on their radar,” said Mike Wei, former Deputy Comptroller of Water Rights, Ministry of Environment.
These are typically small business operations and owners who are not familiar with all the various government requirements. “It is surprising how many small businesses in rural BC, such as roadside restaurants, motels and gas stations, use groundwater. Leadership and Enforcement Would Demonstrate Good Faith However, there are a few scenarios that have already come forward in the past few years that indicate what the future may look like after the Madeadline,” said Ted van der Gulik, formerly with the Ministry of Agriculture and now President of the Partnership for Water Sustainability in BC. It will be difficult for government to shut down businesses. It seems inevitable that government will be forced to act against unlicenced groundwater use – based on fairness to those who did apply. “If ‘someone’ does not ‘fix’ the groundwater licensing problem, it will get messy for everyone after March 1, 2022. All too often, it seems, something gets lost in translation.” Do not delay. Yet, sometimes government has difficulty conveying messages in ways that connect with the public. A challenge for government has always been and continues to be ensuring the public knows about the value of a water licence and realizes the consequences of not having one.
“Groundwater licensing is a rare opportunity to make a difference and thereby make progress in bringing to fruition the Living Water Smart vision for water: Safe, sustainable, valued by all. Yet this message is not getting through to those who use water for non-household purposes.” After 5-plus years of the 6-year transition period, the provincial government recently released this statement of intent: Existing groundwater users who have not applied by the deadline (March 1, 2022) must stop using groundwater. “This is once-in-a-generation, transformational legislation.
“Groundwater licensing is a foundation piece for successful implementation of BC’s Water Sustainability Act (WSA), passed in 2016,” stated Kim Stephens, Executive Director, Partnership for Water Sustainability in British Columbia. True Risks of Not Applying for a Groundwater Licence
#APPILY STATED DOWNLOAD#
Download a copy of Living Water Smart in British Columbia: Groundwater Users Put on Notice. The Primer provides context and perspective on the value of a water right and why it is worth the time and effort by farmers and small businesses to APPLY RIGHT NOW for a water licence. It is a compendium of very persuasive and informed opinions from people who have expert knowledge and really understand the issue. The first primer was released in April 2021. The introductory article below is about the second in a set of Primers that has a focus on groundwater licensing implementation. What will it take to motivate the other 4 in 5 to apply in their own self-interest? Yet, after 5-plus years, a mere 1 in 5 have applied for a water licence. There are an estimated 20,000 historical groundwater wells supplying farms, businesses, industries, utilities, and institutions across the province. Groundwater licensing is the biggest endeavour the Province of BC has taken on in its water management history.
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