1.  Has “Sustainability” Transformed Localized Models of Water Governance?

2. Sustainability is… The development that “meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” (WCED, 1987)

3.  Water Governance under Ontario’s Clean Water Act, 2006

4. s.1. “The Purpose of This Act is to Protect Existing and Future Sources of Drinking Water.” http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/14/us/14lakes.html

5. Ontario’s Localized Participatory Model of Governance

6. Jurisdictional Boundary : Watershed Basis – 38 Source Protection Areas ( O.Reg. 284/07) Local Governance : 19 Source Protection Committees (i.e., municipal, industry, agricultural, environmental, health and other interests of the general public O.Reg. 288/07) & Conservation Authorities SPC Model : is premised upon public participation and empowers communities to take action to prevent threats from becoming significant Risk Assessment Function : prepare Science-based Assessment Reports that identify “prescribed drinking water threats” & these reports form the basis of the source protection plan that sets out action plans to address significant threats. ( O.Reg. 287/07)

7.  Water Governance under Alberta’s Water Act, 2000

8. s.2. “ The purpose of this Act is to support and promote the conservation and management of water, including the wise allocation and use of water, while recognizing:  the need to manage and conserve water resources to sustain our environment and to ensure a healthy environment and high quality of life in the present and the future  the need for Alberta’s economic growth and prosperity  the need for an integrated approach and comprehensive, flexible administration and management systems based on sound planning, regulatory actions and market forces  the shared responsibility of all residents of Alberta for the conservation and wise use of water and their role in providing advice with respect to water management planning and decision-making  the importance of working co-operatively with the governments of other jurisdictions with respect to trans-boundary water management  the important role of comprehensive and responsive action in administering this Act.”

9. Water for Life: Alberta’s Strategy for Sustainability (2003, 2006 & 2008) – The Three Goals  Safe, secure drinking water  Healthy aquatic ecosystems  Reliable, quality water supplies for a sustainable economy

10.  Alberta’s Localized Participatory Governance Model

11. http://www.waterforlife.alberta.ca/01157.html

12. Jurisdictional Boundary: Watershed Local Governance: 11 Watersheds are organized by WPACs & WSG’s WPAC Model: multi-stakeholder committees that include representatives from three levels of government, industrial sectors, conservation groups and First Nations Function - Ecosystem Approach: based upon environmental indicators and water conservation objectives used to assess the condition of the watershed & develop water management plans (s.s. 9 &11 of the Water Act)

13.  How does sustainability shape this localized, participatory, stakeholder-driven model of water governance?

14. Is sustainability the right model for the governance of aquatic systems?

15. Is Eco-resiliency a better model to frame water governance? Eco-resiliency is “the ability of an ecosystem to recover from or resist disturbances”. (C.S. Holling, 1973)

16. Characteristics of a Resilient Water Governance Regime  Flexibility  Broad Perspective  Diversity  Emergent Change

17.  But, the question remains open… What is the role of the State in this localized mode of governance?

18. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oldman_River