Water Restriction Advocacy Underway
By Jerry Rousseau
In response to last year’s well water restrictions imposed by the BC Provincial Government, the Allied Golf Association of BC (AGA-BC) is ramping up advocacy efforts in hopes of learning more about the decision making and implementation process used by authorities, to outline golf industry efforts toward water conservation and offer assistance with future province wide conservation strategies such as the use of approved water management plans.
In a March 29th letter sent to the BC Ministry of Forests, the umbrella group representing golf in British Columbia made the following key statements:
“Members of the Allied Golf Association of British Columbia (AGA - BC) recognize that water is a valuable and essential resource requiring protection and conservation, ensuring it remains available for generations to come. Water is also critical for the health and sustainability of turfgrass and therefore, essential to the long term health and sustainability of golf facility management and the golf industry."
"AGA-BC members use water wisely and support water restrictions during times of drought. During prolonged hot and dry periods, BC golf courses take additional steps to help conserve water.”
Another key message to decision makers is, “Golf is good for our health, our environment, and the economy of British Columbia.” The letter also highlighted multiple benefits of turf including carbon sequestration, oxygen production and fire protection.
Meanwhile, the BC Landscape and Nursery Association convened its first Drought & Water Committee meeting on April 3, with similar advocacy goals for the landscape, garden centre and nursery sector. A second meeting is being planned for April 22nd.
As a stakeholder representing over 700 members in the professional golf and sportsturf management industry, and like with previous lobby efforts, the WCTA is directly involved and highly committed to working with the various regulators and allied organizations to ensure we are at the table and part of both the decision making and solution generating processes. Further updates will be provided as things unfold.