WHAT IS WATERSHED SECURITY?
Watershed security is about two things:
Our watersheds provide essential benefits that underpin our economy, health and well-being—clean drinking water, thriving salmon runs, water for growing food, and natural protections against climate disasters.
The stewardship and actions we take to keep our watersheds healthy, strong and productive so that they continue to provide these services.
WHY WE CAN'T AFFORD TO WAIT?
As climate change intensifies year on year, the costs of inaction will continue to grow.
BC has experienced substantial watershed degradation and loss of natural assets over the past three decades. With these cumulative impacts due to human activities and climate change, B.C.'s watersheds are increasingly degraded. This degradation has manifested as floods, droughts, and fires in precedent-setting ways, especially over the past several years.
WHAT ARE THE SOLUTIONS?
There are three priority investment areas that will strengthen community resilience and support better decisions for the benefit of all British Columbians:
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS?
The social and economic benefits of investing in watersheds are substantial.
1CLIMATE RESILIENCE
The natural infrastructure of a watershed (eg. wetlands, forests and streambanks) provide the same protection as built infrastructure at half the cost.
2INDIGENOUS RIGHTS
Investing in watershed security will strengthen Indigenous governance, contribute to Nation re-building, and support Indigenous economic development.
3LESS CONFLICT
Funding for collaborative governance and forward planning reduces conflict, improves decision-making, and increases social cohesion.
4JOB CREATION
Economists estimate the Fund could add 13,000+ new jobs over the next 10 years. 800 jobs were created in a single year (2021) through $27 million in economic stimulus.
For every $1 invested by the provincial government in watershed projects, another $4 will be leveraged.
This funding will catalyze investments from other sources, including federal, municipal, philanthropic and private sector contributions.
SUPPORT FOR WATERSHED SECURITY FUND
PUBLIC SUPPORT
McAllister Opinion Research
“78% of British Columbians hold the view that BC needs to make major investments in watershed security to protect fresh water in this province.”
LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Union of BC Municipalities
“UBCM requests that the Province of BC create a dedicated, sustainable, annual funding source for the Watershed Security Fund that provides $75 million annually for community driven watershed security initiatives.”
FIRST NATIONS LEADERS COUNCIL
FNLC
“We applaud the Province for taking steps towards launching this long- awaited Watershed Security Fund and we look forward to working with the Province to advance the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in the co- development and co-implementation of this important fund.”