Local water groups: building influence in watershed decision-making CBWN Member Meeting Natasha Overduin, Rosie Simms November 17 th , 2018
BC Water Law Reform 200 200 200 2014 2016 2017 2018 2 8 9
What we’re here to do today Part 1: ✓ Who’s who in the water ecosystem? ✓ Role & strengths of community-based groups Part I1: ✓ How do we increase our punch?
Governance: How decisions about water are made, and who influences and plays a role?
Val Napoleon UVic Indigenous Laws program
87% (public) believe the province will face a serious problem if nothing is done to improve the management of water resources 85% (water professionals) agree local watershed entities will be needed to ensure B.C’s new WSA is implemented to its fullest potential.
“Reconciliation in action” Nutsamaat kws yaay’us—we come together as a whole to work together to be stronger as partners
Watershed Governance Pilot - Nicola Valley ○ Nicola Watershed Project – Co-governed with Province + “5 Nicola” Chiefs ○ MoU now signed ○ Opportunity to test and implement new key Water Sustainability Act provisions: ✓ Water Objectives ✓ Water Sustainability Plans ✓ Environmental Flows
COLLABORATIONS & PARTNERSHIPS Revitalizing LAWS DECLARATIONS First Nations at the forefront of water stewardship LITIGATION PLAN or & G2G AGREEMENTS POLICY MANAGEMENT PROJECTS
Considerations for cross-cultural collaboration and partnerships
The Province
Reconciliation Salmon Water Drinking Drinking/ Climate source adaptation protection Land-use planning
Some key considerations • Province is not homogenous! – Know the different Ministries, their organizational cultures – Engaging staff vs. politicians (different strategies needed) • Develop relationships with regional staff + enforcement officers • Take note of Ministry/political priorities • Government capacity is limited: know what they need ; demonstrate your value • Government are just people
Water Management is Shared in the Natural Resource Sector model Environment and Climate Forests, Lands, Natural Change Strategy Resource Operations and Rural Development • Provincial water strategies • Administer the Water Sustainability • Water policy, legislation, regulations Act including all statutory decisions • Watershed and aquifer science pertaining to surface and • Water objectives, standards and groundwater licensing • Other programs and related statutes: guidelines • Advice, guidance and support to • Dam and dike safety • Flood management statutory decisions • Support enforcement • Drought management • Monitoring networks • Utility regulation • Transboundary and inter- • Issue enforcement orders governmental agreements (e.g. Mackenzie River Basin) POLICY, LEGISLATION, SCIENCE, DELIVERY, STATUTORY DECISION-MAKING MONITORING
Local Government
Close to the issues and community concerns • Not just “creatures of the province” • Significant roles/responsibilities, e.g. • Land use and development • Local infrastructure • Drinking water and sewage services • Education • Funding • Conservation
9 UBCM water & waterway resolutions endorsed (2018) B67 – Watershed Governance Model Province to recognize and support local watershed collaborative governance entities and adequately resource these entities.
Some observed concerns/constraints “ Passing the buck” – downloading Resistance to taking on work that has real or perceived costs Wary of politically risky moves
Watershed groups Sockeye fry
PLENARY DISCUSSION As watershed stewardship groups, what is your role in the ecosystem? What are your strengths and your opportunities for influence? Where do you face resistance?
Our observations: role of local groups ✓ ESSENTIAL! Often the only boots on the ground ✓ Most effective as SUPPORTING vs. ACTING as convener ✓ Data collector ✓ Education and watershed IQ ✓ Getting issues on the radar of decision-makers; creating demand for solutions ✓ Telling the water story in a compelling way
TOO MUCH NOT ENOUGH
PART 2: STEPPING STONES OF WATERSHED GOVERNANCE
Build Champions (on the outside & inside) What: Articulating issues; building demand for solutions; finding people on the ‘inner track’ who will advocate. Why: Someone needs get water “on the agenda” and in the mandate of leadership! Examples of How: • Surveys/open-houses to determine constituency water values • Convening board or band council and educating colleagues • Lots of 1:1 discussions – “politicking” • Use other venues/places to talk about the water issues • Get your message out there & in front of different audiences
Example & Questions What are the main water issues community members are concerned about? Who do you need to work with on these issues? How can you resonate with people who might not agree?
Collaborative Watershed Projects & Relationship Building What: Collaborative “boots on the ground” initiatives Why: “Doing things together” as an entry point for: • Developing relationships & trust • Strengthening info base • . Securing funding • Discovering common appreciation for the watershed • + … Critical ecological wins! Habitats for species, etc. How : e.g. projects such as restoration, monitoring, or mapping
Example & a Question As a result of projects, are governments and organizations connecting in new ways (e.g., MOUs, jointly produced terms of reference, etc.)?
Shared Visioning & Priority Setting • What: Establishing the big picture goals for where you want the watershed to be in the future; and what your initial priorities are to get there. • Why: offers an opportunity to develop a “whole of watershed” approach, and figure out what the priorities are (a vision and plan is key for funding too!) • How: • Host a visioning session – and solicit community input • Who convenes matters + value of neutral facilitation
Example & Question Are local political leaders at all necessary levels A healthy watershed supported and (e.g., local government, enjoyed by the community in a manner First Nations) supportive that respects our common values through: of the process and driving it within their -Partnerships and collaboration; organizations? -Education, stewardship, and monitoring; -Conservation and green economics; and, -Responsible decision making … .In perpetuity.
PART II: INCREASING YOUR INFLUENCE – TWO EXERCISES TO WORKSHOP
EXERCISE 1: ELEVATOR PITCH WHAT IS THE WATER PROBLEM YOUR GROUP IS WORKING ON, WHY DOES IT MATTER, AND HOW ARE YOU HELPING SOLVE IT? -Individually (3 min) -With a partner (3 min) -Go around your table (5 min)
EXERCISE 2: KNOWING YOUR AUDIENCE Audience Onside/neutral/opposed/unsure? Actions to build support and relationship 1. 2. 3.
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