The Regional District has received a $36,135 contribution from the federal and provincial governments for Phase 3 of The Similkameen Valley Watershed Plan (SVWP).
A comprehensive review of the Similkameen Valley watershed received support to take a closer look at the agricultural sector, thanks to funding provided by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and the B.C. Ministry of Agriculture, and delivered by the Investment Agriculture Foundation of B.C.
“The funding will allow us to expand our information gathering with a detailed assessment of groundwater inventory, its use and future agricultural demand,” said Keremeos Mayor /Director Manfred Bauer, Chair of the Similkameen Valley Planning Society.
Phase 3 work includes:
– Characterizing the future of agriculture in the Similkameen watershed;
– Inventorying groundwater use by agriculture;
– Estimating future agricultural water demands:
– Conducting an irrigation groundwater quality assessment; and,
– Developing an implementation strategy for agricultural groundwater management.
The work is scheduled to be completed by March 2016. The SVWP team is evaluating water availability and risk of inadequate supply; taking a closer look at groundwater and surface water interaction; and reviewing the status of existing water quality data and looking for insightful trends. The plan emphasizes an integrative, holistic approach that links water quality, water quantity, wetlands, riparian habitat and biodiversity with the valley’s economic and social priorities.
Its goal is to significantly improve water management of the Similkameen watershed, foster collaborative water management and make water conservation a permanent ethic.
The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen is working hard to build and develop economically and environmentally sustainable communities.
For further information, please contact Doug French at (250) 492-0237 or [email protected]
