On May 16th, Brad Mason, DFO Senior Habitat Inventory Biologist, will provide a presentation about The Community Mapping Network. Mr. Mason will discuss opportunities to collaborate including: hosting local environmental information on the Community Mapping Network, accessing existing environmental information sources and assisting in new field data collection for selected species and habitats.
The Regional District of Nanaimo’s (RDN) NEW draft Regional Growth Strategy (RGS) is now available for review at www.ShapingOurFuture.ca. The RGS is a strategic plan that aims to establish a more sustainable pattern of population growth and development in the region over the next 25+ years. The new draft includes policies on food security, water conservation, transportation, economic development, affordable housing and climate change.
Tell us…& Win! Tell the RDN what you think about the draft RGS by doing a short 10 minute survey linked to our website and get a chance to win $400 in free groceries, or Bus & Recreation passes.
Please help the RDN increase participation on this important plan to help grow more sustainability by forwarding this e-mail to members of your community, friends and family who live in our region. If you are part of a community group or organization who would be interested in having a presentation on the draft RGS please contact:
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.
The Brant Geese are here! 2011 marks the 21st Brant Wildlife Festival in the Oceanside area, and features a wide variety of activites during March and April. Be sure to check out the website for an event schedule and take this opportunity to explore the natural beauty of our area.
On May 20th to 22nd the organizing committee for the Salmon Enhancement Program will be hosting their 2011 Community Workshop in Campbell River. We invite our volunteers to read the invitation and attend the workshop. More information will be posted on the Pacific Streamkeepers Federation website as it becomes available.
A message from the Drinking Water and Watershed Protection Coordinator of the RDN:
On January 25, the RDN Board received the Drinking Water and Watershed Protection Program ˜Watershed Snapshot Report 2010", and directed staff to provide the report to the public for comment. All RDN residents are invited to review the Drinking Water and Watershed Protection Program's "Watershed Snapshot Report 2010" and provide comments on the report until February 28, 2011.
The Watershed Snapshot Report 2010 provides highlights of an extensive community mapping project that was conducted in the Spring of 2010. The report presents a summary analysis and key recommendations for action to protect local watersheds across the RDN and for each major watershed area in the Regional District.
The Watershed Snapshot Report 2010 is available on the RDN website at teamwatersmart.ca. Comments or questions regarding the report can be submitted to
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.
MVIHES encourages our readers and members to read the report and submit their questions and comments.
An artcile in the Oceanside Star discussing the information presented at the MVIHES hosted 2010 Protecting Our Waterfront Speaker Presentations. From the article:
Harriet Rueggeberg, a biologist and planner for the Green Shores Technical Team, said shorelines are most impacted by population growth, waterfront development and climate change.
"Coastal shores are amazing places, biologically speaking," she said. "We have to be careful about how we build on the shoreline."
To build something, people remove vegetation, she said. This creates bank instability, so they build a seawall. This hardened shoreline actually makes the waves stronger, increasing erosion and creating a spray of seawater onshore that kills more vegetation.
Climate change is exacerbating this problem because, even if sea levels aren't rising dramatically (and they are in some places, such as Haida Gwaii), storm surges are becoming more violent.
"The best strategy may be to retreat," she said, "as opposed to spending money."
Today the Auditor General released a report on the management of groundwater resources in Canada. The audit assessed whether government is ensuring the sustainability of groundwater resources in B.C. From the Office of the Auditor General:
GOVERNMENT NOT EFFECTIVELY ENSURING GROUNDWATER SUSTAINABILITY VICTORIA – The provincial government is not effectively ensuring the sustainability of British Columbia’s groundwater resources, says Auditor General John Doyle in his latest report. These groundwater resources are critical to satisfying drinking water, agricultural and industrial needs.
“One million British Columbians are estimated to rely on groundwater for daily use, and this demand is increasing,” said Doyle. “The government must put in place an appropriate framework to manage this precious resource sustainably.”
The audit examined the existing information, protection measures and access controls in place to ensure groundwater sustainability. It looked at government’s overall management of groundwater resources, with a focus on the work of the former Water Stewardship Division in the Ministry of Environment.
Overall, the audit concluded that the ministry lacks the information it needs to manage groundwater, and that protection and control over access to groundwater are inadequate. The report contains seven recommendations for addressing groundwater sustainability.
“While there is much to be done, I am encouraged that government has recognized groundwater’s vulnerability and made its protection a priority through modernization of the Water Act,” said Doyle. “I look forward to receiving updates on the ministry’s plans and actions to address these issues and the recommendations in my report.”
The Auditor General is a non-partisan, independent Officer of the Legislature who reports directly to the Legislative Assembly. The Auditor General Act empowers the Auditor General to conduct audits, report findings and make recommendations.
2010/11 Report #8 – An Audit of the Management of Groundwater Resources in British Columbia
Contact: Office of the Auditor General 250 419-6100 www.bcauditor.com
You can download and read the full report from the Auditor General's website here.
The Real Estate Foundation of BC has granted the MVIHES $10,000 to assist with Phase 2 of the Groundwater Mapping and Education Project. This second phase will continue from Phase 1 by defining the location and geometry of the sand and gravel aquifers in the lower section of the Englishman River down to the estuary. The project will fill an important knowledge gap about groundwater. It will also encourage the public to learn more about their groundwater in order to protect the watershed from activities that could jeopardize its rich ecosystem. The Regional District of Nanaimo has generously contributed $4,000 to the project as well.
From the creator: "THIRST is an educational slideshow that explores the realities of the emerging global fresh water shortage." Start your own conversation.
Bid on a great framed print of one of the salmon conservation stamps. If your bid is successful ($200 is the minimum), MVIHES will share the profits with Pacific Salmon Foundation. For the time being, the easel is set up in the RBC Parksville Branch upstairs.
MVI was learning how to take water samples for Environment Canada from the Englishman River bridge. We will be doing this every 2 weeks. Our next test will be July 6. Meet at Plummer Road under the bridge at 9:30am if you want to learn the procedure or give Faye a call at 250 752 9297.
MVIHES isvery excited to annouce that our application to the RBC Blue Water Project has been approved! We will be receiving $70,000 over 2 years for Groundwater Mapping and Education in the Englishman River Watershed.
The project began last year on a small scale with funding from the Real Estate Foundation of BC, Georgia Basin Living Rivers, the Regional District of Nanaimo, TD Friends of the Environment and much in-kind technical advice, labour and equipment from GW Solutions, Ministry of Environment and Vancouver Island University.
MVIHES will be collecting water quality data for Environment Canada regularly once a month at the Englishman River orange bridge. We would like to involve residents in the surrounding area in the collection. Professionals will show us how it's done and what to do with the samples at 9 am Tuesday June 22. Please let Faye know if you would like to attend by phoning her at 250 752 9297.
Don't miss this opportunity to share knowledge and concerns about our watersheds.
The watershed protection part of the RDN Drinking Water and Watershed Protection project is gearing up for action with community workshops in 3 areas of the district. Our area's meeting is on June 17th at 6:30 at the QB Civic Centre. The RDN will update us on what their technical committee has found (that information has been put on maps) but mostly they want to hear from us about our issues around rivers, lakes, groundwater and human activities in the watersheds. The workshop will guide future programs within the Drinking Water and Watershed Protection program. It's really important to be there.
A standing room only crowd greeted Hydrogeologist, Dr. Gilles Wendling, last week when he presented the results of the MVIHES Groundwater Mapping and Education study (phase one) in Parksville at the Community and Conference Centre.
THIRST is an educational slideshow that explores the realities of the emerging global fresh water shortage." Start your own conversation.
Bid on a great framed print of one of the salmon conservation stamps. If your bid is successful ($200 is the minimum), MVIHES will share the profits with Pacific Salmon Foundation. For the time being, the easel is set up in the RBC Parksville Branch upstairs.
MVIHES isvery excited to annouce that our application to the RBC Blue Water Project has been approved! We will be receiving $70,000 over 2 years for Groundwater Mapping and Education in the Englishman River Watershed.