Groundwater legislation

additional standards for well construction, flowing wells, well pumps, flow testing and well operation, abandoned wells
water analysis for new and altered wells,
well reports, and
the establishment of offences for which tickets may be issued.

Phase 3

implementing water management plans in designated areas,
drilling authorizations (if necessary) and
other measures for aquifer quality and quantity protection and use.

Advisory Committee

Driller, pump installer, academic, engineer, geoscientist

Timetable

November 2005 (unlikely)

Not an easy sell in a government that has been trying to decrease regulation

Lobbying from stream groups and other environmental groups would help

1) Ask municipal governments to lobby

2) Invite the minister to speak re the issue

3) Letters to the minister

4) Symposium on water

Work with the Groundwater Association

Dave Mellis

Management plans

Only way proposed to control withdrawals as a licensing system is not in the plans

Minister initiates (outside groups can suggest)?water table protection not a priority

Will likely be considered in aquifers classed 1A (highest use and vulnerability)

Sets out a timeline and process

Economic and resources factors included (OCP etc.)

May form a task group with stakeholders

Will have public information sessions/open houses etc.

Legally binding and enforceable

Infiltration

Very big part of the problem wherever the trees are removed

Engineered drainage implies falling water tables (pipe mentality)

Water balance

Streams have become “Municipal Drainage Systems”

Storm drains are like pointing a loaded gun at the stream

New ideas

SEA Street in Seattle

Pilot projects in Langley (still pipes)

The GWPR does not apply to geothermal wells, oil and gas wells, or wells used for coalbed methane extraction which are already regulated under other acts, like the Geothermal Resources Act, Mines Act, and Petroleum and Natural Gas Act.

There is a new code of practice to regulate quality of water discharged from CBM Environmental Management Act ($1 million or 6 months)

Management Plans might have some jurisdiction but ?not planned at this point

Management plans may be slow to develop too late to prevent harm

Task Groups/Committees

Participatory democracy

Abdication of responsibility

Public pacification

May be dominated by user groups

Enforcement

The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference Malcolm Gladwell

Instead of prioritizing issues take care of the little things and the big things just don’t happen as often

Personnel