Evolving Watershed Governance in BC: New Research and Initiatives Tuesday, June 21 st 2016 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. PST POLIS Water Sustainability Project Creating a Blue Dialogue Webinar Series 2015/2016
Thank You to Our Partners & Supporters Series Partners & Funders POLIS Water Sustainability Project Creating a Blue Dialogue Webinar Series 2015/2016
A Few Things Before We Begin 1. Audio 2. Question Period 3. Introductions POLIS Water Sustainability Project Creating a Blue Dialogue Webinar Series 2015/2016
Today’s Speakers Natasha Overduin Watershed Governance Project Manager and Research Associate, POLIS Project on Ecological Governance Theresa Fresco Assistant Regional Manager, Upper Fraser Region, Fraser Basin Council Heather Leschied Program Manager, Living Lakes Canada; Chair, Kootenay Lake Partnership and East Kootenay Integrated Lake Management Partnership POLIS Water Sustainability Project Creating a Blue Dialogue Webinar Series 2015/2016
Today’s Discussion • New Research • New Initiatives: − Kootenay Lake Partnership − Nechako Watershed Roundtable • Discussion
Oliver Brandes, Project Jennifer Archer, Laura Brandes, Project Tim Morris, Strategic Lead & Primary Author Interview & Management & Analyst & Co-Lead Roundtable Lead E-Survey Lead Author Natasha Overduin, Jon O’Riordan, Michele-Lee Moore, Research & Editorial Strategic Policy Angus McAllister, Academic/Methodolog Support Advisor Opinion Research ies/Governance Advisor Innovation Advisor
Deepen collective understanding about needs and challenges of key water sectors 439 respondents Highest participation from local (%) government (17%) and environment stewardship groups (15%) Input from all main watersheds across B.C. Better understand needs and challenges faced by First Nations for strengthening and enhancing watershed governance
Substantial appetite exists for a concerted move towards watershed governance
Substantial appetite exists for a concerted move towards watershed governance Collaborative approaches are seen as critical for better decision making
Substantial appetite exists for a concerted move towards watershed governance Collaborative approaches are seen as critical for better decision making Multiple stages to collaborative watershed governance exist
Stepping Stones of Watershed Governance
Substantial appetite exists for a concerted move towards watershed governance Collaborative approaches are seen as critical for better decision making Multiple stages to collaborative watershed governance exist Communities seeking help and support to implement collaborative watershed governance
Regional Capacity Building Governance Workshops Build capacity and commitment for action – Knowledge – Skills – Networks – Strategic planning – Funding – Leadership
• Better understanding is needed of opportunities to engage - and “doing” and “ driving” capacity • Where are opportunities to influence & engage? • Sustainable funding • Relationship-building • Special skills in effective coordinators • Clear tools to define watershed pressures • Relationships, partnerships, reconciliation between First Nations and non-First Nations a requisit e for watershed governance
Substantial appetite exists for a concerted move towards watershed governance Collaborative approaches are seen as critical for better decision making Multiple stages to collaborative watershed governance exist Communities seeking help and support to implement collaborative watershed governance A potential role has emerged for a province-wide capacity-builder … A potential role has emerged for a province-wide capacity-builder …
Enabling organization versus management institution Build bridges between scales, governments Repository of tools & resources Aid in collective learning Additional possible functions and services….
1. An arms-length, provincially supported organization 2. First Nations’ participation and leadership will be critical ingredients for ultimate and lasting success 3. Mixed feelings on whether it should have any authority or decision-making responsibilities
Share and publicly communicate report “ ” Options Paper Inform Support pilot initiatives, watershed governance capacity building workshops and
A hands-on forum for watershed groups, water practitioners, researchers, First Nations and other decision-makers September 30 – October 1, 2016 Co-organized by four core partners: SFU Wosk Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia 1.5 day forum to build directly on the learnings and successes of Watersheds 2014 . Panel sessions, field trips, breakout workshops and structured peer-to-peer learning to build participants’ skills and enhance capacity for watershed governance in British Columbia.
Key Findings and Recommendations (cont ’ d) • A Natural Resources Practices Board can be timely and cost – effectively created by expanding the mandate of the current Forest Practices Board Towards a Healthy Watersheds: • Opportunity with the inclusion of wetlands in the WSA’s definition of streams Collaborative Watershed • Other key findings? Governance and the Nechako Watershed Roundtable Theresa Fresco, Fraser Basin Council (Upper Fraser – Prince George) Evolving Watershed Governance in BC: New Research & Initiatives, POLIS Webinar – June 21, 2016
Nechako Watershed Roundtable nechakowatershedroundtable.ca
2 regional districts: Nechako Watershed • Bulkley-Nechako RD • Fraser-Fort George RD 5 municipalities: • Prince George • Vanderhoof • Fraser Lake • Fort St. James • Burns Lake Traditional territories: •Lheidli T’enneh •Saik’uz First Nation •Stellat’en First Nation •Nadleh Whut’en •Nak’azdli First Nation •Tl’azt’en Nation • Yekooche First Nation • Cheslatta Carrier Nation • Lake Babine First Nation • Skin Tyee Nation • Nee-Tahi-Buhn •Ts’il Kaz Koh •Wet’suwet’en First Nation • Takla Lake First Nation
Predecessor Initiatives & Early Stages • Nechako Watershed Council (1996-2011) • Nechako Watershed Alliance (2012-2015) • Nechako Watershed Roundtable (2015 – present)
Vision Mission To protect and improve the For the Nechako health of the Nechako watershed to be healthy watershed and its communities. for generations to come.
Goals (WHAT) 1. To provide strategic direction and advice on issues related to Nechako watershed stewardship 2. To strategically advise and review the progress of projects of the Roundtable
Membership & Governance Structure • Authority : No delegated authority • Core Committee – 3 Local Government reps – 3 First Nations reps – 4 NGO / Civil Society Reps • Technical Advisory Committee – Diversity of technical experts and organizations
State of the Nechako Watershed The Nechako Watershed Health Report includes about 20 primary indicators, text, charts, tables, maps and photos to characterize the state of the watershed: Water Quality and Quantity Fish and Wildlife Ecosystems Resource Development Resource Conservation Information can be used by decision-makers from various sectors/agencies and community groups too.
Nechako Watershed Atlas www.cmnmaps.ca/NECHAKO
Folders & Map Layers
Nechako Watershed Strategy – What is it? • A collaborative process to advance stewardship through the region. • 3 KEY AIMS: 1. To profile the key watershed health issues and concerns 2. To identify priority actions to address the issues and concerns 3. To identify commitments from various organizations to implement these actions
Strategy Actions to Date Established a Technical Advisory Committee Research and tools to initiate Strategy development: – Nechako Watershed Health Report & Atlas – ‘ Who ’ s Doing What in the Nechako ’ Report – Nechako Watershed Roundtable Business Mtg Report – Survey results – Advancing Watershed Health Community meetings in Fraser Lake, Fort St. James, Burns Lake and Prince George.
Next Steps: • Final Community Meetings • Incorporate feedback • Submission to Core Committee for approval • Disseminate final draft • Initiate short-term actions for implementation • Fund development for Phase 2 implementation
Challenges and Opportunities • Sustainable funding – Vital coordinator role – Process continuity • Enabling First Nations engagement • Power imbalances – local aspirations versus legal realities • Building capacities of decision-makers to influence change
Thanks! Theresa Fresco Assistant Manager, Upper Fraser Region 250 – 612- 0252 - tfresco@fraserbasin.bc.ca nechakowatershedroundtable.ca Steve Litke www.fraserbasin.bc.ca Senior Program Manager, Watersheds & Water Resources Program 604-488-5358 slitke@fraserbsain.bc.ca
Kootenay Lake Partnership Heather Leschied, Chair POLIS Creating a Blue Dialogue Webinar Series Evolving Watershed Governance in BC: New Research & Initiatives June 21 2016
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