<html><head></head><body><div style="color:#000; background-color:#fff; font-family:HelveticaNeue, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, Lucida Grande, sans-serif;font-size:16px"><div id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1490113135134_10996" dir="ltr">The Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment have just released a report : Groundwater Sustainability Assessment Approach Guidance for Application. <br></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1490113135134_10996" dir="ltr"><br>It is a lovely policy tool that gives recognition for long term groundwater sustainability objectives. It takes a big picture approach proactively working with things like watershed capacity, water flow, water volumes and water quality before planning decisions are made and the way the system is structured there is a dynamic baseline data input process to keep the system up to date so we can make planning decisions relevant to both current and future needs.</div><div id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1490113135134_10996"><br></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1490113135134_10996" dir="ltr">The Gordon Report suggested, as examples, a total of twelve preliminary indicators covering the
five sustainability goals. Ten of these indicators were based on groundwater sustainability
indicators developed by UNESCO (2007) and the State of Michigan (MGCAC, 2006), and were
selected for the quantity, quality, aquatic ecosystems and socioeconomic goals. They tested this system but I found it funny how the preliminary use of the program in the Lower Athabasca Region pilot
project did not use ANY of the indicators proposed in the Gordon Report. Instead they developed "variations of the suggested indicators" to fit their needs. (Oh Brother....) Never the less the end result of this study strongly stated that the Gorden Report should be implemented within this system. </div><div id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1490113135134_10996" dir="ltr"><br></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1490113135134_10996" dir="ltr">Here a quick overview: <a href="http://watercanada.net/2017/groundwater-sustainability-assessment-guidance-for-canadians/?platform=hootsuite" class="" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1490113135134_11593">http://watercanada.net/2017/groundwater-sustainability-assessment-guidance-for-canadians/?platform=hootsuite</a></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1490113135134_10996" dir="ltr"><br></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1490113135134_10996" dir="ltr">Here is he whole document with background data included: <a href="http://www.ccme.ca/en/resources/water/groundwater.html" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1490113135134_11698" class="">http://www.ccme.ca/en/resources/water/groundwater.html</a></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1490113135134_11721"><br></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1490113135134_11771">This is amazing report for University of Waterloo because there is a huge need to ramp up the number of experts in hydrogeological studies to implement this program nation wide. We are so blessed to have local expertise in our area. Waterloo Region is leading the way for the nation in these sciences. Wonderful stuff.</div><div id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1490113135134_11771"><br></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1490113135134_11771">We're making progress in leaps and bounds! </div><div id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1490113135134_11771"><br></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1490113135134_11771">Lulu :0) <br></div></div></body></html>