Metro-Vancouver Water Restrictions & Advocacy Update
By Jerry Rousseau
Citing low snowpack, construction work on a main supply artery and expected warm weather this summer, on June 1, Metro-Vancouver officials announced a move to Stage 3 water restrictions across the region effective Monday, June 8th.
A decade ago and along with allied groups, the WCTA successfully lobbied Metro-Vancouver for the use of approved water management plans (WMP’s) by golf courses and sportsfields, thereby avoiding the need for arbitrary restrictions like ‘one day a week’ or ‘greens only’ and allowing turf managers to adjust/reduce irrigation by volume.
Based on a California model, WMP’s have worked extremely well and we have since maintained a direct line of communication with the regulator, but neither the unprecedented move directly to Stage 2 water restrictions on May 1st of this year or the most recent Stage 3 restriction announcement, came with the typical industry heads up.
This surprise-move by Metro-Vancouver triggered immediate advocacy strategy discussions by the WCTA Board and I have been speaking with WCTA members most impacted. We have also been communicating with other stakeholders including the BCLNA, Allied Golf Association of BC, Irrigation Industry Association of BC, BC Golf Superintendents Association and the Canadian Golf Superintendents Association, to see what, if anything, they are planning.
The primary focus is always on awareness to respective memberships, but at this point, I’m not aware of any official advocacy steps taken. Compounding the challenge, while all stakeholders were still digesting implications of the direct move to Stage 2, the unexpected and earlier-than-ever-before implementation of Stage 3 restrictions has dramatically limited potential to impact Metro Vancouver’s water policy, at least in the short term.
Even with previous lobbying experience, creating an advocacy plan takes time, coordination and mobilization. In the mean time, individuals are speaking out – two prominent, long-time WCTA member sod growers were recently interviewed by various media regarding Metro-Vancouver’s severe water restrictions and the resulting negative impacts to businesses, quality of life and the environment. We will keep the professional turf management industry informed as the issue develops.