BOUNDARY ALLIANCE
r
environmental
WORKING TO PROTECT NATURAL
RESOURCES IN THE BOUNDARY
-That withdrawals, even at time of freshet, will have negative downstream effects on flow,
groundwater recharge & refreshing of fish habitat.
-That dam volumes, according to stated application amounts, are not static,
and that usage
could exceed stated volumes.
-That a variety of studies indicate that we are in a warming trend, that so
called "climate-
change" could increase that trend, and studies have indicated that these trends drive a
change" could increase that trend, and studies have indicated that these trends drive a
local need
for earlier and greater agricultural irrigation demands primarily due to
increased evaporation and transpiration.
increased evaporation and transpiration.
-That
the Kettle is effectively already oversubscribed
-That the lack of regulation or control over groundwater withdrawals will further
impact
the Kettle.
the Kettle.
We Propose That:
S No licences be issued to Big White for additional water for expanded growth, snowmaking,
golf course irrigation unless Water Branch can demonstate to the community that there
golf course irrigation unless Water Branch can demonstate to the community that there
will be no downstream effects.
S That no further licenced withdrawals on the Kettle be approved without a Watershed
Management Plan.
Management Plan.
S That until a Watershed Management Plan is in place the Kettle be deemed to be
fully subscribed.
S That interested parties, NGO's, stakeholders get together immediately to begin a
process for a Watershed Management Plan for the Kettle.
We will work to advance this issue.
process for a Watershed Management Plan for the Kettle.
We will work to advance this issue.
S That the Provincial Government
bring in groundwater legislation/controls. B.C. remains the
only Province without groundwater legislation/controls. This is still the case despite numerous
Hearings, Inquiries and Processes that have recommended such action, dating back to and
probably prior to 1990 when B.C was even then the only Province without legislation.
only Province without groundwater legislation/controls. This is still the case despite numerous
Hearings, Inquiries and Processes that have recommended such action, dating back to and
probably prior to 1990 when B.C was even then the only Province without legislation.
2008
the first in a series of articles examining cattle range use in our sensitive
dryland area, and the consequences to water quality, riparian zones, sensitive grasslands and habitat.
E-COLI COUNTS in local streams. An ongoing study relating range-cow usage to water quality issues.
nov 08
After two of us met with Water Branch in March 2008 we remained concerned that:
MEDIA COVERAGE UPDATE NOV 2008
Fred Marshall & Al Grant have appeared on a number of news reports this
month over growing community concerns over Big White's plans to take Kettle Water.
AM 1150 Radio Kelowna,
Interview with Fred Nov 19th 2008
CBC Radio Kelowna, Interview
with Fred two weeks ago
CBC TV News
Al & Fred Nov
18th 2008
CHBC TV Kelowna
Al & Fred
Nov 18th 2008 see video
These news-reports have generated public concerns in Kelowna &
Penticton and have prompted several developments:
Premier Campbell confirmed in the CHBC news report that this application would
receive full public consultation with the community. (no such assurance had previously been given by government, despite repeated
requests)
Big White's spokesperson confirmed that they applied for the water at the invitation of the Provincial Government,
and do not need the water at this time.
Several other stories about the issue are following in print and audio format. See report
from Castanet news Kelowna with attached audio file of interview with Big White's Ballingall. At castanet click down
to article: Big White May Need More Water
THE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT INVITED BIG WHITE TO TAKE KETTLE RIVER WATER: WE INVITE
BIG WHITE TO GIVE IT BACK