BC Greens Call for Urgent Government Action as Drought Crisis Worsens in Comox and Cowichan Valleys

"The ongoing drought crisis is a stark reminder of the severe impacts of climate change on our struggling communities and our fragile ecosystems," said Sonia Furstenau, Leader of the BC Green Party. "We need urgent, proactive measures from the provincial government to mitigate these effects and ensure sustainable water management for our farmers, ecosystems, and residents."

Furstenau added, “It's deeply concerning that while our farmers struggle with water scarcity, fracking companies are using billions of litres of fresh water, paying a mere $2.25 per million litres. Water bottling companies can extract up to 16.75 billion litres annually at the same meagre cost while they make hundreds of millions in profits. This amounts to giving away our precious water resources for pennies while our agricultural sector faces severe drought conditions. The provincial government needs to seriously reassess B.C.’s water management priorities to ensure the sustainability of our farms and our food security take precedence over the profits of a few.”

The Comox Valley is currently under Stage 3 water restrictions, with farmers struggling to maintain crops and livestock due to water scarcity. In the Cowichan Valley, successive years of drought since 2021 have made water shortages the new normal. As of July 2024, approximately 55% of British Columbia is under drought conditions, with 32% classified as abnormally dry.

"Our farmers are facing unprecedented challenges," said Arzeena Hamir, BC Green candidate for Courtenay-Comox. "We need immediate support for our agricultural community, including amnesty for water usage during drought periods and exemptions for water storage solutions. This includes reining in unsustainable forestry practices and supporting farmers in conserving wetlands and riparian areas”. 

Cammy Lockwood, BC Green candidate for Cowichan Valley, emphasized the need for long-term solutions: "While projects like the Cowichan Lake weir replacement are important, we need comprehensive strategies that address the root causes of water scarcity. The BC NDP government must act now to prioritize food production and the livelihoods of our local farmers over profits and before it’s too late."

The BC Greens are calling for:

1. An immediate halt to non-essential industrial uses of water, including fracking and water bottling, during severe drought periods. 

2. A commitment from the Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship to work with farmers to ensure the protection of food crops during drought periods.

3. Streamlined approval process for water storage dugouts on farms.

4. Creation of community water management tables, including First Nations, local governments, farmers, and other stakeholders.

5. Overhaul of the Water Sustainability Act to prioritize ecosystems and food security.

6. Increased investment in water infrastructure and conservation programs.

"The provincial government's focus on drought adaptation is not enough," added Furstenau. "We need a comprehensive approach that includes both mitigation and adaptation strategies to truly address this crisis."

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Backgrounder:

• In 2023, 80% of regions in B.C. experienced severe drought, and in April 2024, the average snowpack was at an all-time low, exacerbating water shortages.

• Prolonged drought conditions have caused significant crop damage and water supply shortages for livestock, leading to lower yields and financial stress for farmers.

• Stage 3 water restrictions are currently in effect in the Comox Valley, limiting non-essential water use to specific times.

• The provincial government has allocated $14 million for the Cowichan Lake weir replacement project to improve water storage and management.

• The ongoing drought conditions and low snowpack levels highlight the urgent need for sustainable water management policies to address the effects of climate change on B.C.'s water resources.

• Fracking companies in B.C. used over six billion litres of fresh water in 2023, a 16% increase from the previous year.

• According to the Ministry of Forests, Lands, and Natural Resource Operations, water bottling companies are licensed to extract up to 16.75 billion litres annually, equivalent to the yearly water use of over 92,000 British Columbians.