[All] Grand River Watershed Forum 2011 Part 2

[Louisette Lanteigne]

Grand River Watershed 2011 Part 2

Kelly Munkittrick Scientific Director of the Canadian Water Network introduced the keynote speaker Monique Dubé

Monique Dubé - Environmental Risk Management Research Lead to reduce environmental impact of tar sands, Winner of the National Geographic Environmental Scientist of the Year, Former Canadian Research Chair in Alberta 

Watershed Cumulative Effects Assessment (CEA) provides an integrated picture of a watershed's past, present and future using data on water quality, quantity, biology, historical changes and trends. We want to understand why changes happen. 
Relational analysis 1/ how to do we manage 2/ what we do is not what we need. 
We work to understand response stress relationships.  We need to know accumulated state, predicted state based on alternative scenarios, triggers and thresholds and adaption management. If we screw up we need to know how to fix it. 

In the Grand River Watershed, 79% of areas are rural, 18% natural areas and 3% build up. The fact is the fish are changing sex in the Grand River indicating that this is unsustainable. 

Integrated monitoring for municipal response indicators require spacial data, land use/land cover point and non point discharge info, triggers and thresholds, consistent terminology and a regulatory with a big stick to help sustain it over the long haul. We need solutions beyond political: Institutional with a big stick. 

We need River Ecosystem Assessments that record changes past to now, change assessment and alternative trajectories and data centralized regarding the state of the watershed, relational analysis, trajectory assessments. Problem is we have fragmented monitoring that is not integrated and changes in consistency of monitoring. To address this we created a program called THREATS: The Healthy River Ecosystem Assessment System. http://www.threatscanada.ca/
 The system allows people to register as users and provides a licence key for research and development. It records hot spots/ hot moments for Report Cards. Shows what trends are normal and what's not.  We need to standardize things for consistencies. It's basically a water weather station or watershed "banking system". Allows one to view the data on the health of their watershed using defendable solid data.  When you suffer, you act. When it comes to the Tar Sands, when the crisis hits, we'll be ready. 
Currently there is no champion for the Cumulative Effects Assessment. The Government should be that champion. THREATS is part of the Canadian River Institute. `

Lori Minshall planner with GRCA
80% of people live in 5 cities in the Grand River Watershed
70% of the lands are farmed
70% of the watershed relies on groundwater, 27% river water
29 waste plants
7 Multi Purpose reservoirs for flood and flow control
39 Municipalities
46% planned growth with some communities expanding 65%. We've been on the same growth trend since 1948
We can grow if we plan it right. The GRCA has a 75 year history of successful collaboration. 
We're working on the Watershed Master Plan with a goal of preparedness for Growth and climate change
Our goal is to provide a sustainable water supply, reduce flood damage potential and adapt to climate change. 
The partners we're working with include the municipalities, First Nations, the Provincial and Federal Government. 
The Board's water objectives will be focused on what communities have said, knowledge of needs, uses, valued for water and river. The policy will underpin and provide guidance to water management plan and action going forward.  We want to have a healthy resilient system.
We will examine water supply, hydrological function, biodiversity and ecosystem integrity, culture and recreation and river services such as storm water management and waste water. The River is an amenity for communities where it passes.  Are these objectives enough? Have a say by filling out our survey in THE GRAND or online from the link on our website in October. 
Audience Question: Will the function of aggregates or protection of water to protect geological structural integrity be explored? 
Lori: We will study the water for aggregate washing to make sure volumes are there to use for that function. 
Audience Question: What is deemed a healthy watershed?
Lori: Right now there is no defined agreement on what is a healthy system. 
Audience Question: Are indicator species helpful?
Monique: Indicator species are good if you understand them and use that info. We are using it. 
Kelly: Cumulative Effects Assessments currently is insufficient. What we do in research is not done in practice.
Monique: We can quantify it but we're close to creating the system to do it. 
__________________________________
James Etienne, Senior Water Resources Engineer GRCA
We can't manage what we can't measure so to address this we've got the Watershed Management Plan to assess our water budget, and use. It will examine current water taking permits, water quality demands.
Currently there are 715 water taking permits from 1200 sources, 20% of these permits are municipal involving 60.83 of the water consumed and just over 50% of permits given are for agricultural use.  
The Watershed management plan has a 25-50 year time frame and will assess growth, ecological issues and limits including infrastructure capacity, regulation and climate change. 
Water supply and Demand management workshop took place on Sept, 15th and featured a variety of municipal water management and demand management experts. Solutions are not a one size fits all. Themes looked at barriers. 
Regulation and Implementation will address emerging laws and regulation requirements for water management including improved building codes. Sociological economics will be conservation oriented to help change people's behavior around water use.  Currently water is under priced. We need more clarity in billing. Promote the water-energy nexus and develop a smart meter for water.  We need "champions" to promote the message. 
______________________________________
Thomas Schmidt: Commissioner of transportation and environmental services, Region of Waterloo.
The Region has a current population of 550,000 which is half the populace of the watershed. 
75% of the region uses groundwater 
It was projected that we would run out in 1993 but conservation efforts changed this prediction.
Water conservation  was worked into the plan to reduce overall demand. All infrastructure is designed to meet the Max Weekly needs. Population increased but there was a decline in overall water use at the daily/weekly level.  Industry changes made an impact. RIM uses less water than Schneiders. Toyota dropped their water use 2/3rds or more. Good industries are making the shift to use less. 
10% of water was saved by way of outdoor water restrictions with high voluntary compliance.  Front loading washers, toilets, aerators and water conservation programs helped. 
We can still go to 170L per capita but demands will increase with population. Water reuse increases health risks so more work is needed in this area. 
Planning for pipeline is possible but it might not happen. Decommissioning wells has it's risks of flood and impacts to community. 
In regards to waste water there is more work to do which is why the Region is spending 400 million on waste water treatment. 
Before I retire I believe the quality of effluent released will be better than the Grand River's current water quality. 
The Region is the largest user. We're using it sustainably and it will lower future impacts with better effluent quality. 
__________________________________________
Kirk Stinchcombe Principal of Econnics, a Victoria based consulting firm specializing in water use efficiency.
Let's assume we're overusing the water.  It's difficult to change behavior. Residential use, amenities, community worth, emergency use. recreational use all affected. 
We need to educate kids but with limited budgets it doesn't really change sustainable behavior. For example, we all drove here in cars, basically because there was no alternative options to get here. 
1990's gave rebates for low flow toilets, showers, washing machines and it worked! That's pretty much maxed now so what's next? 
3rd generation tools include: Leakage management, community based social marketing, access to resources, source substitution such as rain water/grey water.
Currently 60% of people in Guelph don't water their lawns anymore so we shouldn't be telling them to water their lawn 1 inch a week. We need to focus efforts on specific audiences to reduce use.  
Pricing is too low. Increased prices reduce the use so use it!. 
____________________________________________
Tony Maas Freshwater Director of the World Wildlife Fund Canada
There are limits to growth. Delivering within it gives great results to both people and community
Postel Graph: In the center is a circle with the term Human water footprint. Out of this is a larger circle with the term Ecological Water Requirements. The sustainable boundary encompasses all. It represents the max before things begin to unravel.
He cites Peter Victor's Statements: "Humanity has gone beyond the 'safe operating space' of the planet with respect to climate change, nitrogen loadings and biodiversity loss, and threatens to do so with six other major global environmental issues."

We need to know what Ecological requirements are required for healthy sustainability. A good report to review is Brial Richter's report "How much water does a river need"
www.eflownet.org/downloads/documents/Richter&al1997.pdf


The Brisbane Declaration was designed to protect the Environmental needs from River Flows. The GRCA are a signatory.  
http://www.eflownet.org/viewinfo.cfm?linkcategoryid=4&linkid=64&siteid=1&FuseAction=display
When it comes to Human vs. Nature needs, we really need to get beyond this. To harmonize allows us to benefit from the river to maintain recreational uses, fisheries etc. 

The Brooklings Institute produced a report that shows the economic benefits of restoring the Great Lakes

http://www.brookings.edu/reports/2007/0904gleiecosystem_austin.aspx


In the end it boils down to a value of judgement of what we want our world to look like. The Instream Flow Council can help http://www.instreamflowcouncil.org/

In regards to water taking, we need to consider the impacts on water because currently there are no provisions to protect rivers. 

____________________________________________
Q and A

Q: How will the Lake Erie pipeline impact the system and does that factor in? Isn't it conflicting with the message we must be sustainable?

Tony: If we need one we're not sustainable

Tom: There are many things that can happen. When or if it's even needed is not decided. With conservation we have managed to offset the need for a new Lake Erie pipeline from 2030 to 2040. 
James: We can't take our foot off the petal on pushing for conservation. Behavior changes must be maintained no matter what the outcome. 
Kirk: It's only one of several alternatives. The plan to build a pipeline in the 1970's was to provide water for the entire watershed. The intake was built but the pipe is not here.

Q; Can't we remove it from the plan to promote conservation?
Tom: The Water Efficiency Master Plan is designed to address the water conservation issues. The Watershed Master Plan must address the possibility of a pipeline among other options. Higher efficiency could mean higher costs which is why we need to manage it so we don't proceed too fast. 
James: It's part of what we do. 

Q: What about projects like the Highland Quarry that are outside the watershed but could affect inside?
Tom: 4% of the water is being used for aggregates right now. The groundwater model will need to be clarified before we can answer that. 

Q: What is the recommended water use per capita?
Kirk: 150L per person per day for the region is minimum of what we should be doing. There are always those who don't. They make up about 33% of the populace and their man excuse for not conserving is basically that they didn't get around to doing it. 
__________________________________________
Gord Miller: Summery of the Day
We've got a change in the forum. New Chair Jane Mitchell. No provincial politicians here this year.
The quote: A river that binds: That catches the essence of the Grand
It is said "the Grand is a minor miracle". I agree.
Joe Farwell an engineer with the color and excitement of an engineer. He states the Grand is an "untapped" opportunity and he missed the pun. Speaking of Engineer it reminds me of a joke. An Engineer was jogging along a path when his friend, another engineer shows up riding a bike. The first engineer asked "Where did you get the bike?" The second one said, "A beautiful lady came on a bike, got off the bike and took off all her clothing and told me to take what I wanted. I took the bike." The first engineer said "Good choice. The clothing wouldn't have fit."
Economists said ecosystem is the base of the economy. Nice to see after 40 years time they finally get it. 
Scale of Economy and efficiency is good but with growth and population we'll outgrow the benefits of efficiency. Efficiency isn't an objective up to actual scale. 
No growth can work and I'm glad to hear it!
Federal Government proposes brown growth and it sure looks like brown to me. We're not meeting our targets!
Bob Gibson focused on reducing adverse effects not solving the problem. The rising water lifts all boats. 
79% cuts in consumption is required. We're excessive users of everything. Small compromises can secure early gains. We used less in 1956. 
Being less bad is not being good.
John's speech: Sustainable is risk over resilience. If risks get to big all hell breaks loose. We need to tie into the idea of future generations. My grandchild is actually due to be born today so this message has a great deal of meaning for me. We've got to get into the mindset that it's not about you, it's about your grandkids and the kind of world we'll give them. 
Steven worked for Ontario Power Generation and now he's feisty and unchained. He states for a healthy ecology it takes 8.5 hectares per capita and we're using 12 Grand River Watersheds. Do we have the wisdom and the obligation to act? Tell politicians what you want!
Murry's speech: The idea that brownfield is not productive is wrong. It's great for lawyers. Renewable and distributed energy is the key. That's what it's about. Mega power plants are the old way of thinking. 
Like Bob said, when quality of life degrades things will change. There are openings for subversive changes. 
Monique stated we need an institutional champion with a big stick. Monitoring systems are being shut down by Government right now but we need this stuff! 
The GRCA's Lori Minshall told us of the Survey being on site saying "It's kind of exciting". If she's getting excited over a survey it's time for some medication for Ms. Minshall. I use Scotch.
James speech addresses the question: How much water is needed for municipalities? The Mayor of Guelph challenged the province and knocked down the numbers. It can be done. 
Thomas Schmidt stated the best water conservation programs cost money yet the pipeline is still stuck in there.
I'm in the mindset of Tony. A Pipe is NOT sustainable.
 Kirk said education doesn't change behavior and that the efficiency horizon is approaching. We need new tools. New tools are available but we just need to use them. If we use them we can further improve. 
Tony said 25% of River Basins no longer meet the sea. How much water does the Grand need? How do we resolve issues? 
Province demands more people but that would mean a pipeline to the lake. 
What kind of world do we want to leave behind?
How much can the river give us?
Gaia makes a great friend but a bad enemy. 
End of Forum

Lulu :0)
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