City of Kitchener Impervious-area Based Stormwater Utility and Credit Policy – Ontario
Kitchener is moving forward with an innovative and sustainable strategy to fund its Stormwater Management program. This strategy is ensuring the protection of the city’s important water resources. This approach, which includes a combination of fees and credits for users, provides incentives for property owners who install measures such as oil and grit separators, rain barrels, filter strips, and stormwater management ponds to reduce stormwater run-off. This innovative approach – a first in Canada – is reducing pressure on Kitchener’s stormwater management system. Kitchener is a municipal leader in supporting property owners who want to reduce the amount of stormwater and pollutants that enter Ontario’s waterways.
Winter River-Tracadie Bay Watershed Association – Prince Edward Island
The Winter-River-Tracadie Bay Watershed Association was formed in 2008 to protect and enhance the Winter River and Tracadie Bay watersheds. Initial work focused on stream and riparian zone enhancement, but the group recognized that the withdrawal of ground water from the Winter River watershed in order to supply the City of Charlottetown was having a negative impact on habitat. Along with restoration activities, the Association has carried out educational initiatives in the schools, developed a video series “Save some water for me please,” and participated in radio and television interviews to inform the public about the need to conserve water. Group members have used newspaper articles to challenge Charlottetown residents to reduce water usage and challenge the city to introduce regulations to reduce water usage at critical periods of the year.
Regroupement pour la protection du Grand lac Saint-François – Québec
The Association for the Protection of Lake Saint-François (Regroupement pour la protection du Grand lac Saint-François/RPGLSF), a key regional force, has developed a strategic vision of integrated water management for all stakeholders concerned about this watershed. The RPGLSF has also implemented a comprehensive sustainable development action plan in association with, and with the support of, numerous partners. Among other things, this plan sets out steps aimed at conserving water and maintaining water quality. The RPGLSF will supervise the watershed’s environmental monitoring in the coming years; this process is particularly important in a context of climate change. Integrated water management and sustainable development, and their relation to climate change, are also areas of shared concern and commitment for the Government of Quebec and the Water Charter.
Lower Souris Watershed Committee Inc. – Saskatchewan
The Lower Souris Watershed Committee has demonstrated strong leadership and innovation in implementing its source water protection plan. The Committee led development of the first Agri-Environmental Group Farm Plan focused on source water protection. This work led to investments of $2.5 million in beneficial management actions within the watershed and served as a model for 27 additional group farm plans across Saskatchewan. The Committee also led an ecological goods and services pilot project, inventoried every wetland greater than a quarter acre in size within the watershed, and partnered in the establishment and operation of a Watershed Evaluation of Beneficial Management Practices research site in the watershed.
Yukon River Inter-Tribal Watershed Council – Yukon
The Yukon River Inter-Tribal Watershed Council is an Indigenous, international, non- profit, grassroots organization consisting of 70+ First Nations and Tribes, dedicated to the protection and preservation of the Yukon River Watershed. The Council’s aim is to provide Canadian First Nations and Alaskan Tribes in the Yukon River Watershed with technical assistance, such as facilitating the development and exchange of information, coordinating efforts between First Nations and Tribes, undertaking research, and providing training, education and awareness programs. One of the ways the Council has demonstrated leadership in water stewardship is by building First Nation capacity in water management with its Water Quality Project. Also, local technicians and volunteers have created the Council’s Indigenous Observation Network, which is the world’s largest Indigenous community-based science network and initiative in water stewardship.
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For more information:
| Catherine MacIsaac Communications Nova Scotia 902-424-6283 [email protected] |
Lindsay de Leeuw Council of the Federation Secretariat 613-563-4066 [email protected] |