I look forward to discussing this further with you at this year's Ag Day in Victoria on Nov. 3. This is a great opportunity for us to get together and celebrate B.C. agriculture.

See you there!
 

 

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Important Changes to BC Water Sustainability ACT

Important Changes to BC’s Water Sustainability Act
 
The province is modifying British Columbia’s Water Sustainability Act. As a farmer you may be impacted by the changes, read below to learn how to prepare.
 
The Water Sustainability Act will provide new tools to help ensure water stays healthy and secure for future generations of British Columbians. It will allow government to manage surface water and groundwater as one resource, provide water users with greater certainty regarding their water rights, and establish clear rules about managing water during times of scarcity. To support B.C.’s modernized water legislation a new fee and rental schedule for users is being introduced.
 
There are approximately 100,000 wells in British Columbia today. About 80 000 of those wells are used solely to support domestic household and will not require licenses. The remaining 20 000 used for commercial, irrigation or other non-domestic purposes, are the ones that will require a license to withdraw water after January 2016.
 
What does this mean for Farmers?
 
Users of groundwater will require a water license and be required to pay water fees and rentals. The exception is that individual household wells throughout the province will not be licensed or charged. The new fee and rental rates will only recover the costs of implementing the new Water Sustainability Act (WSA), including groundwater regulation.
 
Unlike surface water, groundwater use has not previously required permission or payment of fees and rentals. Regulating and charging for groundwater use will correct this imbalance and further government’s ability to sustainably manage water for future generations.
 
The new rental rates will vary from $0.02 per 1000m3 for water storage and conservation purposes, to $2.25 per 1000m3 for most industrial and commercial purposes. To put things in perspective, 1000 m3 of water is equivalent to one million liters which is enough to fill a 25 meter swimming pool.
 
Users of groundwater will also have the same access rights and responsibilities as individuals who obtain their water from surface sources. This includes assurance their rights are considered should any conflict over water uses arise. Groundwater and surface water are one interconnected resource and need to be managed as such. The new WSA allows for this.
 
What do farmers need to do to comply with the new regulations?
 
Beginning in early 2016, existing groundwater users will have a three year window to apply for a license. Licenses will also be required for any newly constructed wells from 2016 onward, with the exception of wells used only for domestic purposes. Existing well owners that apply for a license in the first year will be exempted from application fees. Applications received from January of 2017 and onward will need to pay the additional application fee.
 
How can farmers prepare for January 2016?
 
Farmers can look into their day-to-day operations and determine whether their well is connected to their irrigation system, or if it is only providing water for the home. If it serves a purpose other than domestic, it will require a license.
 
The government is still ironing out the application process, but in the meantime a farmer can prepare by checking the well for its ID Plate (a metal plate installed on the well by the driller that will identify the well in the provincial well database), and making a note of the ID number.
 
If the well does not have an ID plate, it can be obtained as a part of the licensing process in 2016. Farmers can start compiling information on when the well was installed which can help establish the priority date when applying for a license.
 
An example of evidence might include:

• Records related to the construction of wells and other works. If you don’t have this information, the drilling company may have kept copies.
• Environmental Assessment certificates for larger wells.
• Well maintenance records.
• Any other information that could be recognized as evidence of historic use.
   

If you are considering drilling a new well, choose a driller from the list of qualified drillers or qualified well pump installers and ensure they construct the well in accordance with current regulations.
 
Will there be advice to help determine how much water is required in a water license?
 
The Partnership for Water Sustainability in BC is building an online tool to assist the agriculture sector in determining actual irrigation water needs. The tool will estimate water demand based on current irrigation water demand models and local climate, soils, crop types and farm sizes. The tool will be free to the public and is anticipated to be available in early 2016.
 
Click here for more information about the Water Sustainability act.

 

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Programs

It's Time To Request New BMP's! The Beneficial Management Practices (BMP) Program assists producers in addressing action items identified in their Environmental Farm Plan (EFP) . The BMP Request process is open year round but time is running out to submit a request for the 2016 program year. To submit a BMP request, or to request an amendment to a current BMP, complete a BMP Request Form and return it to application@ardcorp.ca by Nov. 16th.  View the program's current BMP list here. Have questions? Call Karen Murray at 604-854-4483. NOTE: There is an error on the BMP Request Form – the e-mail to send completed forms should be application@ardcorp.ca (no “s”).

Agri-Food Environment Initiative                                

• Address the challenges of mitigating environmental impacts caused by the agri-food sector
• Have the potential to benefit the sector beyond individual farms and be supported by industry organizations and/or environmental interests
• Are received through an association, society or related registered entity

Please contact Brian Baehr at 250 860-2967 or at aei@iafbc.ca to discuss your ideas.

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Important Labour Updates

In Person SIN Registration Required
Service Canada has changed the process for SIN registration for agricultural temporary foreign workers. Mail in SIN registration is no longer accepted. All SIN registrations must be done in person at a Service Canada office. Employers are responsible for getting workers to a Service Canada office until further changes can be made. BCAC will update members as new information becomes available.

All SAWP Inspectors Must be Licensed
Effective immediately all SAWP housing inspectors must  be licensed by an accredited certification body. BCAC is working with the Canadian Association of Homes and Property Inspectors. Click here to view a list of licensed inspectors working in British Columbia. All inspectors are using BCAC's SAWP form - Schedule F is NOT appropriate for BC and it will not be accepted by the consulates. Tips from employers who have already undergone inspections include:

- Cracked foundations or warped flooring may be moisture tested
- Electric panels will be tested and live wires must be repaired
- Be rodent proof and garbage containers have lids
- Ensure roof is in good shape (no holes)
- Check for moisture issues around bathtub/shower
- Get areas of concern repaired prior to the inspection to avoid failing or re-inspection
- Inspectors are checking ALL rooms, not just sampling a few randomly
- Septic systems must be suitable for the number of people within the accommodation
- Hand sanitizer is not a sink and porta-potties are not a toilet
- Inspection is not as detailed as when buying a house but will be more detailed than in the past

The BCAC Labour Committee hosted an employers’ meeting on October 13th  to discuss desired changes to the 2016 SAWP contract prior to meeting with the Mexican Consulate on October 14th. The Labour Committee's goal remains to have all foreign and domestic worker housing meet or exceed the housing guidelines. To read meeting minutes from the October 13th meeting click here.