Dec 16, 2010

Ecology Action Centre sees missed opportunity in Nova Scotia’s Water Strategy

Ecology Action Centre is applauding the Nova Scotia Government’s release of the Water Strategy today as a good start to help guide the use and protection of precious freshwater resources in the province.  But Fred Wendt, EAC’s Water Coordinator, said he is looking for clear targets and timelines, along with the necessary funding to build on the framework the Province is proposing.

“Although this is a good first step, there need to be specific goals along with an indication of when these goals would be met. There is a lot of work to be done, therefore appropriate funding needs to be applied to this work,” Wendt said.  “Other aspects of the Strategy await further analysis, but there is no reason that directed action can’t come right away,” he said.

For example, Wendt explained, the issue of storm water management appears to be identified as a future initiative. “Recent flooding in many parts of Nova Scotia show how urgent the situation is,” he said. “Watershed plans need to be in place as soon as possible.”

“The Province has identified integrated water management as an underlying principle, which is encouraging, and they want to fill in gaps in our understanding of water resources,” Wendt said. “The environmental community is looking forward to working with the Province to make sure water resources are protected today and for future generations”.

See EAC backgrounder:  Release of the Nova Scotia Government’s Water Strategy